Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

Because combating the impunity of gender violence is fundamental to peacekeeping processes, States need to strengthen their judicial systems so that such cases can be brought to trial. In that regard, it will continue to be equally important to pursue the ratification of the Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Kazakhstan welcomes the drafting of a comprehensive set of indicators aimed at tracking implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), which can serve as benchmarks for standards to design and set in place a methodical monitoring system allowing countries to review their own structures and mechanisms and resource allocations. We must also condemn rape as a tactic of terror and war.

First, discriminatory attitudes and gender stereotypes, including in the education sector, must be ended. This implies a strong advocacy role by the United Nations for women's human rights and the elaboration of media strategies and tools for outreach, in particular when these rights are violated or threatened to be violated. Secondly, all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls must be ended.

Currently, there are 13 full-time gender advisers in United Nations peacekeeping operations, including integrated missions. Every United Nations mission should have a well-trained, full-time gender adviser whose work is systematically integrated throughout the operation and who has stable resources to carry out his or her functions. By now, this should be standard practice.

The prevention of, and protection from, sexual violence is an issue that continues to demand our full attention. I am proud to announce that the Netherlands recently increased its contribution to the United Nations Trust Fund for the Elimination of Violence against Women by $2 million, bringing it to a total of more than $8 million.

In recent years, the United Nations has augmented its involvement in establishing and supporting transitional justice measures, furthering women's rights in post- conflict societies. The United Nations-supported truth commissions in Mali, Kenya and Cote d'Ivoire have addressed gender-based crimes.

Today we focus our attention on one of the most appalling aspects of the women and peace and security agenda: the problem of sexual violence in conflict. The challenge when discussing this scourge is to translate our sorrow and outrage into practical action capable of bringing about real change.

Despite the international community's repeated condemnation of sexual violence in armed conflict, we remain deeply concerned about the fact that such acts continue to occur and in some situations have even become systematic and widespread. Impunity for sexual violence by armed groups is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

Lithuania sponsored Council resolution 2117 (2013), on small arms and light weapons, which links the illicit transfer and misuse of small arms to a disproportionate impact on violence against women and girls.