Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Last March, the Human Rights Council in Geneva hosted a panel on sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which again brought to our attention the massive character of violence against women in that context. Armed conflicts and the weakness of State institutions, especially the judiciary and the security forces, are the primary destabilizing factors.

It is also crucial, in the early stages of a peace process, to adopt gender-sensitive policies and measures to protect women and girls from sexual exploitation, early marriage, human trafficking and rape. What other options do we have for action? While there may be no ready-made solutions, I would like to explore three areas that are addressed in the report.

In the majority of the situations that have been observed, sexual violence is perpetrated as much by Government forces as by armed opposition groups. Our response to that must be firm: there shall be no impunity for the perpetrators of those crimes, and we will not rest until justice is done.

In that context, we would do well to recall the complementary role of the International Criminal Court when States are either unable or unwilling to render justice to the victims of acts of serious sexual violence insofar as they constitute crimes against humanity or war crimes.

The Nordic countries commend the work done by the United Nations Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict in strengthening the capacities of States to address such violence. The Justice Rapid Response/UN-Women roster of sexual and gender-based violence justice experts has proven to be another important and effective tool to address crimes related to sexual and gender-based violence in conflict.

The appalling situation faced by survivors of sexual violence calls for our urgent attention. Sexual violence in conflict must stop. A strong normative framework is in place, the Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security being the most prominent constituent, and we call on the full implementation of those resolutions.

Promoting gender equality and women's participation is critical if we are to ever tackle the causes of sexual violence. We must always remember that women are not only victims; they are also a great resource for their communities and countries.

Another issue that is reflected in the Secretary-General's report and which deserves more attention is sexual violence perpetrated against men and boys. The lack of national legislation, specialized services and the stigma associated with those violations are among the factors that prevent recognition of that violence as a crime.

This month, we have begun to implement our 10-year action plan to help promote human rights, in particular women's rights. That has been commended by the independent expert, and we would have liked to see that reflected in the report (S/2014/181), especially our efforts in the area of sexual violence against women.

I should like to reiterate the fact that among States that are particularly involved in protecting women in conflict and on the question of sexual violence in conflict much progress has been made in our country since 2005.