Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Mexico
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Mexico (Extract 1)
Sexual violence in conflict does not arise spontaneously. Therefore, it can be prevented if States fully use all the available tools to empower women and girls and strengthen their protection and access to justice. By investing in women and girls as essential promoters of peace and security, we must bear in mind that every national and international effort to address sexual violence in conflicts, from a prevention perspective, requires to recognize the virtuous cycle between sustaining peace, development, the rule of law and human rights.
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Mexico (Extract 2)
Sustaining peace cannot be conceived without the participation of women and girls and the integral consideration of their needs. The systematic exclusion of girls from education leads to discrimination and at the end results in the marginalization of women from political, economic and social life. This marginalization is one of the most evident structural causes of conflicts and produces a fertile ground for sexual violence. Girls must be empowered within the family and at school with regard to boys; women must be empowered with equity with regard to men and the whole society.
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Mexico (Extract 3)
Crises are not indifferent to gender, and armed conflicts affect mostly women and girls in particular. Mexico acknowledges the importance of including them in the mediation, peacebuilding and peace consolidation processes, and sustainability of peace, and considers its participation essential when implementing prevention actions, and advancing in national reconstruction and reconciliation. Their access to justice is fundamental. Therefore, the design of mechanisms to protect women and girls should be the rule in every legal system
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Mexico (Extract 4)
The resolutions adopted by the Security Council on Women, Peace and Security have contributed to the normative strengthening of this agenda, but the challenge is achieving its effective, coherent and transversal application throughout the United Nations System and by the Member States, in order to eliminate the still existing marginalization of women in the decision-making on peace and security.
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Mexico (Extract 5)
Mexico joined the Secretary General’s Voluntary Compact to prevent and address sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel in the field. In this regard, we must remember that the privileges and immunities of the UN cannot and should not be understood as a trait to act impunity.