Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

In adopting resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010), the Security Council sent the clear message that sexual violence would not be tolerated and that ending sexual violence was essential for maintaining international peace and security. All States have the moral and legal responsibility to uphold the rights of all citizens, including women, and to protect them from sexual violence.

Before concluding, I wish to state that the international community has a key role to play in supporting continuous efforts aimed at ending all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence, in conflict-affected and post-conflict countries.

Armed conflicts leave a devastating effect on societies around the world. Violence breeds more violence. Undoubtedly, women often bear the brunt of the many destructive consequences of war and strife. In that regard, sexual violence in the context of armed conflicts remains pervasive, which is a devastating reality that has yet to be resolved and one requiring steadfast efforts at all levels.

Afghanistan is fully committed to preventing all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence. In that regard, in 2009, we enacted a law on the elimination of violence against women, which provided for stronger judicial means to combat violence. Throughout the country, perpetrators of such crimes are increasingly being held accountable where such crimes are committed, with their cases being prosecuted before the law.

We are equally concerned about the human rights situation, in particular as it pertains to violence against women. We note, by way of example, the assassination in December 2012 of the Acting Director of the Department of Women Affairs in Laghman Province, which was the second assassination of the incumbent there in less than five months.

However, we remain concerned about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the violence against women. In that regard, however, we need to view the situation from a historical perspective and to remember what was the condition of women during the Taliban regime. We are encouraged by the resolve of the Afghan Government in implementing the Law on Elimination of Violence against Women in Afghanistan.

We welcome the decline in the number of civilian casualties in 2012, the first such decline in six years. The international forces and Afghan authorities have made progress in minimizing the risk of civilian casualties. However, we are deeply concerned that women, girls and children continue to suffer enormously, including through the use of children as suicide bombers and the targeted killings of women.

Much more needs to be done, however. Every two hours, a woman dies from pregnancy-related causes. Domestic violence against women and the imprisonment of women for alleged moral crimes are a cause of concern, as is the number of women and girls killed or injured during the past year, which increased considerably.

In our development projects, Estonia pays extra attention to promoting women's rights and the well-being of children, as they are the most vulnerable groups. We believe that traditions or beliefs should never be used as a pretext for gender inequality and non-recognition of women's rights. At the recent session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Estonian Foreign Minister, Mr.

However, elections alone do not make a vibrant, inclusive and democratic society; the Government of Afghanistan must also deliver on its rule of law and human rights commitments. UNAMA's most recent report on the elimination of violence against women noted that there remained a disturbing under-reporting of incidents of violence against women, and a lack of serious investigation into credible allegations.