Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

We also welcome the adoption of the resolution 2106 (2013), on strengthening of the prevention and prosecution of conflict-related sexual violence, and support the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Despite all efforts, violence against women and girls still poses serious threats and has no borders or nationality. The recent adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty, with a binding criterion on gender-based violence, contributes to preventing the potential negative impact of international arms transfers on women and their rights. Croatia signed the Treaty in June, and is currently in the process of its ratification.

In order to know the truth of what happened, understand the structures of criminal organizations and determine degrees of responsibility for illegal armed groups and their collaborators, cases of sexual violence have been given priority, resulting in the joining of legal actions and guidelines in the Colombian Attorney General's Office.

In considering this issue, the Council and United Nations bodies should strictly adhere to the agreed terms of mandates in the resolutions on women and peace and security that are aimed at protecting women in situations of violence, particularly sexual violence, as well as decision-making in conflict and post-conflict situations.

While our country has periodically taken part in these debates, our comments today are special significance since this is our first speech following Chile's election as a non-permanent member of the Council for the period 2014-2015.

Chile signed the Arms Trade Treaty and urges other States to support that initiative, which we believe represents an important humanitarian instrument for the prevention of violence against women and girls.

Prime Minister Harper and other leaders in New York recently reviewed progress on the 2010 Muskoka summit of the Group of Eight and the United Nations initiatives to improve to improve global maternal and child health. Under Canada's leadership, the Human Rights Council adopted the robust resolution 23/25 this past June on the elimination of violence against women.

Much work is being done by Member States, including by Canada, to advance the empowerment of women and girls. For example, Canada played an active role in the development of resolution 24/23, addressing child, early and forced marriage at the twenty-fourth session of the Human Rights Council, and co-hosted a side event at the General Assembly in September.

The scourge of sexual violence in armed conflict has rightly been the subject of attention by the Council. It is warranted that we also focus on the importance of furthering the equal rights of women and their right to equal participation in decision-making processes.

While greater attention continues to be paid to the prosecution of perpetrators of these crimes, we are also of the view that more must be done to ensure that transitional justice addresses the full range of conflict- related violation of women's rights.