Peacekeeping

Our extensive engagement in United Nations peacekeeping has taught us that the triggers for sexual violence and the entry points for influence are different from one case to another. But there are some common points. In all situations, active monitoring and timely reporting are critical. Without them, early warnings will be missed, policymaking will not be properly founded, and perpetrators will slip through the cracks.

But helping to change attitudes and standards brings a follow-up responsibility. It cannot be right that communities are left with new ways of looking at things but — with the international presence gone — no means to ensure that new standards are implemented. This is where the continuum between peacekeeping and peacebuilding really matters.

We take great pride in the stellar record of our peacekeepers, both men and women, in the protection of women, children and the weak. Indian troops have apprehended some of the principal culprits behind the recent sexual violence in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We can do much more if more resources are made available.

The Security Council must ensure that the resources needed to implement its mandates are available. United Nations missions are being asked to do more with less. For example, the resolution that was just adopted will expand the mandate without expanding already inadequate resources.

Thanks to the resolve of the international community the operational and peacekeeping activities of the United Nations has been oriented towards recognizing the plight of women and children in conflict areas and being proactive in working towards preventing violence against them. India supports those developments.

Being the largest troop-contributing country in United Nations history, with more than 100,000 peacekeepers in 40 United Nations missions, India has perhaps more experience than most in implementing Security Council mandates. It is indeed Indian troops, along with the peacekeepers of fellow troop-contributing countries, who convert the intent of this Council into deed.

Moreover, we must strive to find better ways of guaranteeing the safety and physical integrity of women and children during armed conflict. This includes early warning mechanisms, as well as more awareness-raising campaigns and pertinent training, including the training of peacekeepers. Germany supports several training programmes and awareness- raising campaigns on sexual violence, in close cooperation with United Nations entities.

With regard to improving protection for vulnerable populations, Gabon would like to underscore the importance of ensuring better protection for women and girls in the field. In that regard, we would like to highlight the enormous efforts made by peacekeeping missions, which too often operate in difficult situations and in places that severely challenge their efforts to ensure effective protection for those at risk.

The United Nations has a particular responsibility with regard to the phenomenon of sexual violence. Indeed, peacekeeping operations must establish strategies on sexual violence. Gender advisors, advisors on the protection of women, and human rights units have a vital role to play in this context. It is also essential to engage in dialogue with parties to armed conflict on the issue of sexual violence.

I welcome the initiative of the United States presidency of the Council to convene this open debate. In adopting resolution 1888 (2009) last year, the Security Council improved the regime for combating sexual violence in armed conflict. My delegation reiterates its support for the work of Ms. Wallström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General.