We must find effective ways to respond to the needs of the survivors of sexual violence. The United Nations Action multi-partner trust fund is pivotal in that regard. We encourage Member States and other partners to contribute to the fund.

We must do more to empower women and girls to participate in peace and security processes, as well as decision-making roles in conflict prevention and conflict resolution. We are encouraged by the increasing number of female military and police peacekeepers. The United Republic of Tanzania contributes more than 200 such courageous women to such missions.

The international criminal justice system, despite its shortcomings, has had its merits, including offering an elaboration of sexual violence as capable of constituting a crime against humanity, a war crime and an act of genocide.

The international community has made considerable strides since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000). Through it and subsequent resolutions adopted by this body, the international community has committed itself to ending the pain and distress affecting women and girls who are subjected to sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations.

Let me conclude by underscoring the unswerving commitment of the United Republic of Tanzania to ending violence against women, men and children wherever and by whosoever committed. We renew our commitment to the regional and international instruments to which we are parties in order to achieve that noble objective. We will continue to support the United Nations Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict.

It is a matter of concern that, despite our determined efforts, women and girls continue to suffer from the abhorrent crimes perpetrated by armed groups and by national authorities whose duty is to shield civilians from harm.

Instead of diminishing, conflict-related sexual violence is on the rise, and it increasingly involves men and boys as perpetrators employ sexual violence as a tactic of war and as a punishment and interrogation technique.

We wholeheartedly support the work and mandate of Ms. Bangura, especially her efforts to build coherence and coordination in the United Nations response and her focus on national ownership and responsibility. The report provides an important opportunity to assess progress and to consider what more needs to be done. It is clear that there is a huge amount still to be done.

Today's debate is an opportunity to reinforce that message and to send a strong, shared message that there is no safe haven for perpetrators of rape and sexual violence. The statements we have heard thus far in this debate are very encouraging on that point.

Thirdly, we welcome calls to ensure that the Security Council, mediators, envoys and Member States actively engage in dialogue with parties to conflict on conflict- related sexual violence. That is central to ensuring that the issue of sexual violence as a method or tactic of conflict is explicitly recognized in subsequent peace processes and ceasefire agreements.