Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Another reality I must mention is that in our region there are very high indices of violence against women, which also requires that we give this problem its due attention.

Desormais, la Republique Democratique du Congo s'attaque aux causes de la violence faite a la femme, aux causes des conflits recurrents, et en meme temps elle renforce son appareil judiciaire de maniere a conjuguer ensemble paix, justice et securite. La lutte contre l'impunite est une option fondamentale de l'action gouvernementale.

Concernant la justice particulierernent, Je voudrais M'appesantir quelque peu sur Ie calvaire des femmes congolaises des provinces du Nord et du Sud-Kivu. L'insecurite est la cause principale de cette traqedie. Les groupes armes qui se nourrissent de I'exploitation illegale des matieres premieres sont a la base de ce fleau. Nous avons, a cet eftet, arrete des mesures appropriees pour faire face a cette situation inacceptable.

At the international level, San Marino has joined several campaigns aimed at raising public awareness and that of national authorities on women's rights, such as the campaign “Unite to End Violence Against Women”, launched by the Secretary General in 2008.

The education of women and girls, and the security of women and giris from violence and sexual abuse and exploitation, must now become a core part of our global campaign for a fairer world.

“Equally, Austria attaches utmost importance to enhancing the role of women in conflict and post-conflict situations. Even 10 years after the adoption of Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security, we can still witness major gaps: Women continue to be largely absent in peace processes and conflict resolution efforts, and crimes against them all too often remain unpunished.

The mass rapes and sexual assaults which took place in North Kivu this summer and the inability of the UN Mission for Stabilisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo to protect civilians are a brutal reminder of the difficulties surrounding peacekeeping in conflict areas in the absence of adequate resources and mandates.

The advancement of women and gender equality continues to be the cornerstone for Africa of the new beginning. Women have and continue to play a decisive role in the global, continental and national agendas for democracy, transition and development. I am happy to inform the General Assembly that African governments have intensified the fight against gender-based violence, sexual abuse, discrimination and human trafficking in women and girls.

It's time to welcome the efforts of UN Women to protect the rights of women around the globe. It's time for every member state to open its elections to international monitors, and to increase the UN Democracy Fund.

Slovakia welcomes the establishment of UN Women – the UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women. We believe that this entity will help curb all forms of violence against women. We also extend our good wishes for a successful mandate to UN Secretary General's Special Representative on sexual violence in conflict.