First and foremost, however, prevention is essential. We must break the cycles of violence. All parties to a conflict must make specific commitments to combat sexual violence and hold perpetrators accountable. I would also like to voice a particularly serious concern about the fact that the risk of systematic sexual violence often increases considerably after or around high-level visits.

We also call on the Security Council sanctions Committee to focus on sexual violence crimes and to use its powers to combat impunity, and we welcome the gender provisions contained in the recently adopted United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.

The full and equal participation of women and men in conflict prevention and peacebuilding is fundamental to combating sexual violence. Solutions must encompass all sectors of society, both in peacetime and in times of conflict. Women must not be seen merely as victims but as active participants who are central to all efforts to combat sexual violence in conflict.

On the issue of accountability, if a State is unwilling or unable to investigate and prosecute such international crimes, the ICC and other international tribunals play a crucial role. But the ICC is a court of last resort. Together we must build political support and technical capacity so as to enable the effective prosecution of sexual violence at the national level.

Let us not forget the importance of providing justice for those men and women who are victims of crimes of sexual violence. The crime itself causes pain, trauma and psychological stigma for survivors. It is crucial that services be in place, including access to emergency contraception and safe abortion. The right to make decisions about one's own body, life and sexual health is a basic human right.

In my statement, I would like to focus on three issues: the need to strengthen the participation of both women and men in efforts to prevent sexual violence; the need to strengthen national ownership and to build capacity at the national level to effectively fight impunity; and the need for accountability, to end the culture of impunity for such crimes.

In closing, let me commend the Council's crucial work in advancing the women, peace and security agenda. But let me also reiterate our expectations that the Council will make use of its powers in order to achieve our common goal: to end sexual violence in conflict once and for all.

Experience shows that women's involvement in peace processes can lead to more legitimate and lasting agreements. We need women to participate actively not only in United Nations field operations and missions, but also in national and local institutions.

Efforts to end sexual violence in conflict must include scrutiny of how gender roles are shaped and upheld in peacetime. Societies that view men as superior create an environment that is conducive to sexual violence in armed conflict.

As Minister for Defence, I would like to emphasize the importance of integrating a gender perspective in peacekeeping operations. If we neglect information from 50 per cent of the local population, missions will be less successful. If we do not include half the population in our security assessments, we cannot address the security needs of the whole population.