Peacekeeping

We must all do more to prevent sexual violence in conflict. In that regard, we encourage the Security Council to give close consideration to addressing the risk factors and early-warning signs of systemic sexual violence. South Africa believes that that can be achieved through the inclusion of a greater number of deployed female peacekeepers, particularly women protection advisers, in peacekeeping missions.

Finally, we must pay more attention to the issue of conflict-related sexual violence in peacekeeping missions.

In some instances over recent years, victims of sexual violence were violated not only by extremist armed groups and repressive regimes, but also by United Nations peacekeepers. Among those sent to protect local populations from harm, there have been individuals who have abused their positions and violated the most basic human rights. Such acts of sexual exploitation and abuse must not be tolerated.

Jordanian women are active in United Nations peacekeeping operations, in military and police units in Darfur, South Sudan and Abyei. We fully support the Secretary-General’s efforts to implement the zerotolerance policy with regard to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Fifth, we support the efforts of the Special Coordinator on improving the United Nations response to sexual exploitation and abuse, within her mandate, to address cases of sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel or personnel under the United Nations flag. We are committed to the zerotolerance policy of the Secretary-General with regard to sexual exploitation crimes.

We express our appreciation for and gratitude to the Secretary-General for his new strategic approach to taking action against sexual exploitation and abuse committed by personnel of United Nations peacekeeping missions and special political missions. Brazil signed the voluntary compact on preventing and addressing sexual exploitation and abuse and strongly supports all efforts for its full implementation.

The increase in the number of women in United Nations peacekeeping operations and in peacebuilding initiatives is a central element in advancing the prevention of and response to sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, including in cases of sexual abuse and exploitation.

We must ensure that related expertise, including gender advisers and women protection advisers, are provided with the access and resources needed to fulfil their critical tasks in peacekeeping operations. Cooperation with local civil society organizations can also help identify precursors, risks and prevention and protection strategies for sexual violence in conflict.

The Peruvian commitment to the women and peace and security agenda is also manifested in the progressive increase in Peruvian women’s participation as Blue Helmets, pursuant to resolution 1820 (2008). In this regard, we wish to highlight the importance of incorporating the gender perspective into the mandates of peacekeeping operations deployed by the Council.

Kazakhstan integrates the women and peace and security agenda in its national legislation, including formulating new strong pro-women policies that will guarantee women’s engagement in decision-making at all levels in the political and economic life of the country. Training on gender equality for the armed and security forces and deploying women in United Nations peacekeeping operations are also priorities