Justice

It is also necessary to put in place a strategic framework aimed at prioritizing the rights and dignity of victims, end impunity and ensure that monitoring, control and prevention measures are in place against sexual exploitation and abuse. Nevertheless, greater efforts are needed at all levels to make sure that survivors have access to the full range of subsistence, medical and legal services without discrimination.

Thirdly, and lastly, I would like to address the need to hold the perpetrators of these acts accountable and to make sure that victims have access to justice. The first concern to take into consideration in that regard is to ensure that peace agreements and ceasefire arrangements explicitly reflect the concerns associated with sexual violence. That is crucial if we want to make sure that survivors have access to the necessary services and reparations in post-conflict situations, as well to remove the perpetrators of this violence from their positions and ensure that they are held accountable for their actions. As a subsequent step, we will have to work to further the fight against stigmatization and marginalization of survivors, the consequences of which are often fatal. Besides, such stigmatization serves only to worsen their marginalization while hindering their full acceptance and reintegration. Society, including traditional and religious leaders, must also help survivors. We must convey the unequivocal message that it is the perpetrators who should be shamed, not the victims.