Statement of Poland at the May 15 Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Implementation
There is in fact political will to address the issue of conflict-related sexual violence, but more needs to be done to fight the culture of impunity. Combating sexual violence in conflict is an integral part of the wider conflict-prevention agenda, and we should spare no effort to tackle the problem holistically. Raising awareness about the scale of sexual violence in conflict and its impact on societies is the first step. One example is the successful initiative of Argentina and its General Assembly resolution 69/293, proclaiming 19 June as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. It draws the attention of the international community to the problem while honouring the victims and survivors and paying tribute to all of those involved in eradicating those crimes.
The allocation of adequate financial resources is another important point. As a proof of our commitment, the Polish Government last year contributed 2.5 million zlotys to the UNICEF operation in Mosul, Iraq, providing assistance to thousands of Christian and Yazidi women and girls fleeing from the horrors of trafficking, forced marriage and sexual enslavement perpetrated by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
PK
First of all, combating sexual violence has been included in the mandates of peacekeeping operations, while the international community has begun to deploy gender advisers and female protection officers trained in sexual violence issues.
Justice
There is an urgent need to hold perpetrators accountable and to provide victims and survivors with basic services, such as health care, psychological support, financial aid, legal assistance and socioeconomic reintegration services.
Secondly, the availability and quality of data on sexual crimes has improved and many perpetrators have been brought to justice, as happened in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq and Uganda.