Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

We believe that the proliferation of small arms increases the risk of interpersonal violence, including domestic and societal violence, which often continue after conflicts. Hence, curbing the spread of small arms would be a step in the right direction in minimizing gender based violence.

It is known that in the context of some armed conflicts involving non-State actors, young girls are often forced into early and underage marriages and, early pregnancies, in order to avoid forcible recruitment into the fighting ranks by non- state actors. Such practices pose serious health implications for the young mothers and their children.

It is also for this very reason that South Africa condemns in the strongest terms possible the mass rapes committed in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past two months. We call for the urgent identification of the perpetrators of these war crimes so that they may be brought to justice. The days of impunity at the expense of women and children are over.

It is a shame that sexual violence against women, particularly in armed conflicts, still exists and has not yet been fully resolved. Sexual violence is one of the major tragedies in conflict and post-conflict situations, where women and girls bear the brunt and often become casualties.

In Africa, the African Union and subregional organizations, as well as civil society, play a pivotal and strategic role in the prevention and resolution of conflict. Women are always ready to play a role in conflict resolution initiatives, such as the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law, both of which are vital to peace, security, stability and prosperity.

For the past seven years, Solomon Islands has been assisted by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The Mission is made up of Pacific neighbours, led by Australia and strongly supported by New Zealand. RAMSI has provided us space and support to promote and implement resolution 1325 (2000) nationally and throughout the Government. In that respect, Solomon Islands has restructured its State security institution.

Stronger steps should be taken to address accountability and to end impunity for perpetrators of violations. The Security Council should impose targeted and graduated measures against all parties to a conflict responsible for grave violations of women's rights, including sexual violence. Sexual violence should be a priority element in all Council resolutions mandating the sanctions committees.

Violence against women, especially sexual and gender-based violence, persists in conflicts. Recent events in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have shown that women continue to be deliberate targets of injustice and sexual violence in the conflict and its aftermath.

The illicit flow and use of small arms and light weapons during the 11-year rebel war was devastating, particularly for our women and girls. In this regard, the enactment of the National Commission on Small Arms Act of 2010 and the formal establishment of the National Commission should, among other things, enhance our capacity to address the issue of violence, including gender-based and sexual violence.

In the 10 years since the Security Council adopted resolution 1325 (2000), that instrument has become an effective reference for protecting women in conflict and enhancing the role of women in the prevention and settlement of conflict and in post-conflict recovery. Regrettably, women and children continue to be victims of deliberate attacks, including terrorist acts and other violations of international humanitarian law.