Statement of Ghana at the May 15 Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict

In situations where peacekeepers themselves are involved in crimes, they should be made to face the full rigours of the law to serve as a deterrent. My delegation wishes to reiterate the importance of adopting survivor-centric approaches towards victims as a means of addressing difficulties in reintegration and social stigma related to their abuse. Adequate funding must be allocated to specific and targeted programmes, including appropriate medical and psychosocial support, education about legal rights and economic reintegration for victims. Special efforts must be made to incorporate victims into justice processes and to create space for them to be effectively heard. In that regard, national judicial processes must seek to eliminate complicated or degrading reporting procedures and promptly and thoroughly investigate reported cases as a further means of reducing impunity.

Since long-held cultural perceptions and beliefs require more than legislation, national laws must be backed by multi-stakeholder partnerships and networks at the community level with the active participation of traditional and religious leaders. The social acceptability of sexual violence in conflict must not be allowed to gain ground, normalized or reinforced. We therefore share the view that sexual violence in conflict does not arise solely out of the conditions of war, but is directly linked to the culture of violence and discrimination against women that already exists in any given society, and that this must be tackled holistically.