Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

We are gathered because we all agree on the importance of addressing an issue that cries out for the world's conscience, and that is sexual violence in conflict. We agree that the challenge is urgent and immense. The human cost is all too real. Armed conflicts continue to have a devastating impact, particularly on women and girls.

The United States commends the United Nations, especially United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, for its leadership in finding effective ways to address this problem. We have been encouraged by the United Nations response and followup to the appalling August attacks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the additional steps it has taken to build mission-wide strategies to better protect civilians.

Some still think that sexual violence is somehow a natural accompaniment of conflict. It is not. As the Secretary-General's report notes, “The myth that rape is an inevitable byproduct of war is persistent and dangerously selffulfilling” (S/2010/604, para. 7).

In her brief tenure so far, Special Representative Wallström has brought leadership, passion and clarity to efforts to end impunity for the heinous crimes of sexual violence in conflict zones. She is playing a vital role in the United Nations efforts to support the response of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the horrifying mass rapes in Walikale, which has included the arrest of one of the perpetrators.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the United States. Let me begin by thanking the Secretary-General, Special Representative Wallström, Under-SecretaryGeneral Le Roy and Lieutenant General Gaye for their very powerful and insightful briefings.

Finally, we cannot separate the challenge of sexual violence from the broader security issues facing the Council. Resolution 1960 (2010), its predecessors and our follow-up actions must send a clear message. We do not just condemn sexual violence and rape as weapons of war, but we are taking concrete steps to end it. We are working to make clear that rape and sexual violence are unacceptable and that perpetrators will face consequences.

Data collection is also vital for non-humanitarian activities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The resolution we adopted today will improve the collection and analysis of information required to better understand the patterns of sexual violence in armed conflict.

Thirdly, we will be able to address the arbitrary division that has been created by a monitoring and reporting mechanism for children in armed conflict who are subject to patterns of sexual violence when no such protection is afforded to those older than 18.

Second are increased monitoring, analysis and reporting. That will help us to develop a more comprehensive and integrated approach. More effective monitoring of patterns of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict should allow the Council to identify and mandate the action necessary to prevent it.

Nowhere is the need for concrete commitments greater than in situations of armed conflict. As resolution 1960 (2010) highlights, sexual violence continues to be a widely used weapon of warfare. It stigmatizes survivors, divides communities, exacerbates and prolongs conflict, and impedes the restoration of peace and security. Impunity for such crimes can prevent a society from recovering from conflict.