The United States, as President of the Security Council in the month of February, convened a Security Council Public meeting to discuss the issue of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Peacekeeping Personnel. The Council received briefings on progress made in eradicating this problem from the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guehenno and the Adviser to the Secretary-General on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein.

For the statement delivered by Under-Secretary-General Guehenno, please click here

For the statement delivered by Prince Zeid Al-Hussein, please click here

The Security Council also heard statements from all 15 Council members and 4 other states. There was overall condemnation of all acts of sexual exploitation and abuse, and all states expressed support for measures undertaken by the Secretary-General and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, to prevent and combat this problem.

In their remarks, a number of states also drew attention to the important connection between the goal of eradicating sexual exploitation and abuse and the integration of gender pespectives in peacekeeping operations, including the enhancement of women's participation in all peace processes, as called for in Security Council Resolution 1325. Below are excerpts from countries' statements which made specific reference to SCR 1325, as well as links to the full statements where available.

Canada
'' We welcome as well the excellent and comprehensive report delivered by H.R.H.Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al-Hussein which is a tangible demonstration of the UN'S desire to proactively follow through on the Secretary General's Bulletin on this very issue. As a follow-up to this report, DPKO has proposed a number of measures. These include, in particular, both the requirement that public information campaigns be undertaken to combat the "culture of acceptance" which has developed in peacekeeping missions, and the furnishing of support to the empowerment of local women and girls. The latter recommendation is critical, if women and girls are to be in a position to protect themselves from sexual exploitation and abuse, and seek redress when it does occur.

As Under-Secretary-General Jean-Marie Guehenno stated this past October -during the SecurityCouncil Open Debate on Resolution 1325, "beyond pointing to a series of systemic weaknesses that account for such gross misconduct, [the] problem [of sexual exploitation and abuse] should be a wake-up call for all of us to attach even more importance to incorporating a gender perspective into our work.". Canada would add that at the heart of sexual exploitation and abuse issues, there lies a link to questions of discrimination and gender inequality. While the development and implementation of standards, codes of conducts, norms and investigation procedures, are essential to our efforts, this work can not be carried out successfully in the absence of a gender analysis. "

For the full Statement please click here

Denmark
"The Secretary General's report on women, peace and security from October 2005 included a UN system-wide action plan for the implementation of SCR 1325. We warmly welcome that one of the key areas of action was response to sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations staff, related personnel and partners. In order to secure an effective follow-up to SCR 1325 we - the United Nations and its member states - need to demonstrate firm action and prosecute the perpetrators who violates - not only our trust - but the trust of those they were send to help and protect. The policy of zero tolerance has to be implemented.

Denmark has already initiated a national study on how to protect women and girls against for example Sexual Exploitation & Abuse throughout the planning and completion of international operations. The study will - among other things - secure that the protection of women and girls are reflected in all the basic documents of any given operation and in the education of the Danish Armed Forces."

For the full statement, please click here

Ghana
"The matter of sexual misconduct is closely related to the wider issue of women, peace and development and the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). In that regard, taking advantage of available gender expertise would help tremendously in gaining a better under understanding of the societies and people whom peace processes are intended to help."

Full statement not available at this time

Tanzania
"We reiterate the importance of increasing the percentage of women in peacekeeping operations, in order to facilitate contacts with the vulnerable groups. We also remind members of their obligations to increase women’s role in conflict management and resolution, as per Security Council resolution 1325."

Full statement not available at this time

The United Kingdom
"A crucial factor in preventing misconduct is capacity building in the area of human rights and the widespread mainstreaming of gender awareness across peacekeeping missions. Systemaic change is needed so that gender issues are included in pre-mission planning and mission implementation, as well as crucially continuing into post-mission phase. The UK urges DPKO to work with the UN Country teams to ensure that sufficient human rights and gender expertise remains in countries to assist the national government when a peacekeeping mission withdraws.

The widespread mainstreaming of gender into all policies and programmes at the international and natinal levels is also a crucial factor in the prevention of secual exploitation and abuse. We must therefore do justice to SCR 1325, ensuring that women are full and equal participants in peace processes, and through that create sustainable peace. "

For the full statement, please click here


For a summary of other countries' statements, please click here

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