Secondly, the United Nations leading role in this is absolutely critical. The breadth of United Nations activity is impressive and it is also having an impact. The United Kingdom supports all the United Nations work and encourages United Nations agencies to deliver as one in their efforts to support States in fulfilling their responsibilities.

Collectively we must change the calculus of anyone who thinks that they can use the fog of war as cover to get away with rape and other forms of sexual abuse. We must shift the stigma for such crimes from the victim to the perpetrator. We must ensure there is nowhere to hide for those guilty of grave violations of human rights. We must, as Special Representative Bangura said, hold perpetrators accountable.

We therefore call for strengthening the jurisprudence of criminal law as well as existing international legal and judicial mechanisms, including the role played by the International Criminal Court, to identify gaps and develop a robust legal framework for preventing sexual violence during conflict.

The United Arab Emirates strongly condemns the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war in Syria, and declares its support for all efforts being made to collect data on these crimes in the pursuit of justice at a later stage.

Sexual violence in conflict is a crime that has harmed far too many people for thousands of years. It knows no borders or age limitations and is not related to any specific culture or ethnic group. This crime is perpetrated without punishment and is used as a tactic of war to destroy the fabric of society and deprive it of the ability to heal and rebuild.

Secondly, national authorities must be strengthened in the areas of legislation and security sector reform, to ensure their ability to meet the requirements necessary for preventing a culture of impunity and the promotion of the culture of deterrence, accountability and achieving justice and the rule of law. That should lead to a perception of women as agents in the campaign against sexual violence, not only as victims.

Women and girls continue to be specifically targeted in conflicts and sexual violence is often used as a tactic of war. Women and girls are also vulnerable in post-conflict situations, especially in contested political processes, ceasefires and the early days of the implementation of peace agreements.

Secondly, every conflict resolution effort or peace and mediation process has a gender dimension. As such, ensuring and increasing women's participation in all aspects of decision-making and policy processes related to the protection of international peace and security is necessary

Needless to say, the elimination of the root cause of conflicts is the best way to prevent sexual violence and address impunity.

Further emphasizing the particular vulnerabilities and addressing the specific needs of women and girls in the protection of civilians framework is a third way forward. Three sets of efforts are of particular, practical importance, namely: disarmament, demobilization and reintegration efforts; security sector reform; and capacity-building in the judicial sector.