Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Sweden
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Sweden (Extract 1)
Without the inclusion of and respect for all, a sustainable peace can never be achieved. We know that gender equality makes societies more peaceful. The ongoing Stockholm Forum on Gender Equality will cover many of these critical issues and seek common solutions.
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Sweden (Extract 2)
The Council needs to address the gender dynamics of the root causes of conflict. We must consider structural gender inequality as a critical element of the instability that hinders efforts to maintain or restore international peace and security. To achieve this, we need gendered conflict analysis, building on gender-disaggregated data and solid gender expertise. We also need to build alliances with brave civil society actors, who play an essential role in addressing conflict-related sexual violence and promoting gender equality. We fully support the Secretary-General's recommendation that the Council considers the early warning signs of sexual violence in its monitoring of conflict situations.
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Sweden (Extract 3)
The importance of women in peacekeeping no longer needs to be justified. The evidence speaks for itself. With more female peacekeepers and police officers we can achieve more, and reach the whole population in a conflict area. Sweden is actively addressing factors that hinder the deployment of women peacekeepers, police, and corrections officers.
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Sweden (Extract 4)
At the heart of this issue is the fundamental principle of women's full enjoyment of human rights, especially sexual and reproductive health and rights. The link between accountability and prevention is clear. Ensuring accountability and putting an end to impunity for violations and abuses against international law must be a priority for all of us, both inside and outside this Council [...] We welcome the enhanced focus on access to justice and its links to prevention. This contributes to ending impunity as well as to ensuring victims' trust in accountable and effective criminal justice institutions.
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Sweden (Extract 5)
As the Secretary-General's report highlights, the effects of sexual violence – including trauma, stigma, poverty, and poor health – can echo across generations. In response, we need to ensure socio-economic reintegration support to restore community cohesion. Survivors of sexual and gender based violence also must have access to the full range of livelihood, legal, psychosocial and medical services, including sexual and reproductive health services that are not subject to donor restrictions.