Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Costa Rica
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Costa Rica (Extract 1)
The primary responsibility for protecting populations lies with States. It is incumbent upon us to establish robust legal and institutional frameworks with a view to laying a firm foundation for preventing and addressing gaps in the protection of victims, especially women and girls, and to expand the scope of protection measures to the most vulnerable populations, such as ethnic and religious minorities; women in rural areas; women and girls associated with armed groups; the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population; as well as boys and men, who are equally vulnerable to sexual violence, the prevalence of which is increasing.
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Costa Rica (Extract 2)
Sexual violence as a cause of forced displacement is equally worrying, as is the growing risk of violence in the context of mass movements where migrants, refugees and displaced persons are subjected to sexual extortion, trafficking and smuggling, harassment and rape, among other abuses. It is essential that conflictrelated sexual violence be considered as grounds for granting refugee or asylum status, with victim assistance policies.
Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2018: Costa Rica (Extract 3)
Prevention is key. The systematic inclusion of women protection advisers in the strategic planning processes of political missions and peace operations, as well as adequate gender training to help prevent and respond adequately to sexual exploitation and abuse, are essential. For all of that to be possible, programmes must be adequately funded.