Appointed in 2 February 2010, Margot Wallström currently holds the office of the Secretary-General Special Representative (SGSR) on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Eight years after SCR 1325 (2000) a stronger focus on Sexual Violence in Conflict became significant within the UN Woman, Peace and Security agenda. [1]

The mandate given to Margot Wallström by SCR 1888 (2009) and SCR 1960 (2010) strengthens the agenda of 1325. The SGSR mandate is to drive and empower efforts across the UN system to end sexual violence in armed conflicts. In doing this the SGSR is supposed to promote cooperation between all relevant stakeholders, and to engage in advocacy efforts towards Governments, all parties to armed conflicts and civil society. [2]

SGSR Wallström has formulated a five-point priority agenda, which reflects her mandate in more practical terms: ending impunity; empowering women to seek redress and claim their rights, mobilize political leadership, increase recognition of rape as a tactic and consequence of conflict; and ensure a coordinated response from the UN system. [3]

During SRSG Wallström’s first year, she has been on four field trips in order to advance the five-point agenda. She visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in April and again in September-October; to Liberia, in June; and to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in November. [4] SRSG Wallström went on these missions to listen to the survivors of sexual violence and relay their experiences to the Security Council. Another aim was also to reach some understanding on why sexual violence persists even “long after the guns have fallen silent”. [5]

The office of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict will continue to support the capacity of governments affected by armed conflict to address sexual violence. The SCR 1960 (2010) provides further possibilities and concrete mechanisms to continue to strive for the ending of sexual violence in armed conflicts. [6]