Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Safeguarding women's access to justice, applying a gender-sensitive approach to transitional justice mechanisms and including women in post-conf lict reparations programmes are paramount steps in the establishment of the rule of law, and thus paramount to peace and security.

More recently, the Forum leaders have recognized climate change as the greatest threat to the livelihood and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific. Climate impacts can lead to forced displacement, with clear implications for women, and raise security questions that have no simple solutions or easy precedents.

Egypt has considered with interest the Secretary- General's report on women and peace and security (S/2013/525). We would like to express our appreciation for the efforts made in the drafting of the report, which highlights the progress made, including the significant policy and operational focus on the monitoring, prevention and prosecution of violence against women in conflicts.

Owing to discriminatory legal frameworks and practices, women and girls are more vulnerable to conflict- related violations of their rights, including sexual violence. It is of vital importance that the culture of impunity that still prevails with regard to such crimes be addressed.

The Namibian delegation appreciates the fact that, since adopting resolution 1265 (1999), the Security Council has been addressing the issue of the protection of civilians in conflict and has adopted numerous resolutions on that issue. The international community has long had in place instruments of international law that provide the legal framework for the protection of civilian populations in armed conflicts.

Another key aspect of resolution 2098 (2013) is that of sexual violence, which continues to see widespread use as a weapon of war, usually with total impunity. Here we welcome the initiative of Ms. Mary Robinson to convene, jointly with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, a conference devoted to the role of women in the process of implementation of the Framework agreement.

While the majority of victims are male journalists, we note with concern that female journalists are also subject to violations in conflict situations. They face additional risks, such as those of sexual violence or sexual abuse in detention. We believe that a gender-sensitive approach is needed when considering measures to address the issue of violence against journalists.

Today, we note that, unfortunately, that step was insufficient. Quite to the contrary, it was far from being sufficient because 2012 was perhaps the most murderous year. More than 120 journalists were killed in the exercise of their profession, which was double the figure for 2011. Several hundred others were imprisoned and sometimes tortured. Many were subject to intimidation, kidnappings, forced disappearances and arbitrary detentions.

According to the Secretary-General's 2012 report (S/2012/376), the state of protection of civilians remains terrible.

We need the Security Council to keep showing the determined leadership that we have called for, and at the same time must listen to, involve and support local organizations. Indeed, I strongly support the development of a network of regional champions to support their efforts.