Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Nigeria shares the Secretary-General's view that there has been measurable progress in all areas of the women and peace and security agenda, especially as it relates to the increased provision of expertise and training.

Nigeria is committed to the implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions on women and peace and security. Strident steps have been taken at the national level to ensure the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). In the same vein, Nigeria stresses the importance of compliance with resolution 1820 (2008), on ending acts of sexual violence against women in conflict situations.

It is essential for Member States to adopt and implement comprehensive legislation on violence against women as a concrete step to increase women's access to justice. Special courts designed to reduce delays in rendering justice should be established where necessary to facilitate access to justice for victims.

Hard tools, such as sanctions regimes that target perpetrators of sexual violence and appropriately mandated and trained peacekeeping missions, are effective instruments for the protection agenda, but the participation dimension of the women and peace and security agenda still requires targeted action by the Council. Indeed, the Council's role in addressing women's political participation in the peace and security agenda remains a challenge.

Beyond simply being a just democratic principle, there are many tangible reasons for that. It builds trust in post-conflict justice institutions, and UN Women's research shows that women are more likely to report sexual and gender-based crimes to transitional justice institutions that involve women judges and officials.

We welcome and support the recommendation of the Secretary-General to ensure the full range of services to victims of rape, including access to services for the safe termination of pregnancies resulting from rape, without discrimination and in accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law.

We encourage the Security Council to remain committed to the full agenda of resolution 1325 (2000), including the meaningful participation of women in all peace negotiations, security sector reform and decision-making related to conflict resolution and post- conflict rebuilding. We call upon the Security Council to more systematically implement the women and peace and security agenda.

Thirdly, we support legal systems based on equality. We need a gender-sensitive approach to the rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict situations. Women and girls should have equal access to fair and transparent justice services and they should be able to influence justice policies and institutions in their country.

Fourthly, we care about prevention and the protection of victims of sexual violence in conflict. The Netherlands welcomes the continued high-level attention to the role of women in conflict situations. In June, the Council adopted resolution 2106 (2013); other international actors, such as the Group of Eight, have also shown real commitment to the prevention and prosecution of sexual violence in conflict.

The heinous crimes, and in particular the sexual and gender-based violence, committed during conflicts have amplified the need to stand united in the struggle against impunity. Sexual and gender-based violence in conflict undermines freedom, security and stability, and, if unpunished, it undermines the credibility of any legal system, denying access to justice for all.