We recognize that the Security Council has taken determined steps to eliminate the problem of sexual violence in armed conflict. It must continue its work pursuant to resolution 1888 (2009) based on the following four pillars: the fight against impunity; the prevention of new cases and protection of vulnerable groups; security sector reform; and comprehensive care and reparations for victims.

The Security Council faces significant challenges. It must ensure the functioning and impact of the monitoring system and the presentation of reports on sexual violence in conflict, and systematically include components on gender and on prevention of sexual violence in the terms of reference of its field visits and the mandates for its peacekeeping operations.

The atrocities committed against women and children in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and other regions of the world are permanent reminders of the fact that existing norms are flagrantly flouted. Ensuring respect for international law is an ongoing challenge, for which the primary responsibility falls to States.

One aspect of particular concern is sexual violence in armed conflict or post-conflict situations, as that subject cannot be approached simply from a gender perspective. The impact on society of sexual violence used as a tactic of war is so great that addressing it must be an integral part of any strategy for peace and security.

My delegation is particularly satisfied by the coordination that Ms. Wallström has maintained with the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy.

Mexico believes that it is not enough to recall that crimes of sexual violence against women have been criminalized. It is necessary to act on our support for strengthening the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order to prosecute the perpetrators of sexual violence in the context of armed conflict.

During its membership of the Security Council, Mexico has sought to promote a broad agenda of the protection of civilians in armed conflict, pursuant to the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law. In these past two years, significant steps have been taken to ensure that women and children will no longer be the principal victims of the violence to which armed conflict give rise.

We warmly welcome the fact that the Council also encourages the Secretary-General to list in an annex to his annual reports the parties that have systematically engaged in acts of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict on the Council agenda.

We must all redouble our efforts to contribute to better protection of women in conflict and post-conflict situations. Let me dwell for a moment on some initiatives that my Government has decided to support since our debate on women and peace and security in
October (6411th meeting).

The mass rapes in Walikale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this summer were a brutal reminder of how sexual violence continues to be used as a weapon of war.