Secondly, stopping sexual violence against women in armed conflict is closely linked with women's empowerment and gender equality. Only when women can play a full and equal part in peace, conflict resolution and post-conflict processes can we build the foundation for international peace and security.
The United States welcomes and supports the recommendations in the Secretary-General's report, particularly with regard to the need for all parties to conflict to make specific and time-bound commitments to cease acts of sexual violence and bring perpetrators to justice.
For example, the United States believes that it is crucial to increase women's participation in security forces involved in preventing conflict and building peace as one way to reduce conflict-related sexual violence. The United States funds and implements the Global Peace Operations Initiative, which has facilitated the training of 2,451 female peacekeepers worldwide.
As Council members, we need to make combating sexual violence part of our discussions with briefers so that it becomes an integral part of our practice. We have recognized for some time that conflict-related sexual violence is a security issue, but the Secretary-General's report places that matter beyond dispute.
In Côte d'Ivoire, the Special Representative received a commitment from the President of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that reparations for victims of sexual violence would be part of the Commission's mandate. In Liberia and South Sudan, the Team of Experts has worked with national justice sectors on sentencing guidelines, the training of police, constitution-drafting and a host of other initiatives.
The Secretary-General's report (S/2012/33) on conflict-related sexual violence demonstrates the importance of having a Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. In just the past year, she was able, together with the Team of Experts, to assemble the evidence available in the report, and to begin to address some of the horrors it describes.
Mr. President, Rape is increasingly used as a tactic of war and the Security Council should be united in condemnation of it and steadfast in support of the crucial work of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence.
It is important that this Council takes into account information on conflict-related sexual violence when considering post-conflict situations and other situations of concern. However, conflict related sexual violence is not confined to countries on the Security Council agenda as we see incidents or patterns occur in other settings.
Firstly I would like to commend SRSG Wallstrom for the good work that she has done to raise the profile of this issue, including fighting against impunity. We welcome her concerted efforts in tackling this issue, leadingto a more co-ordinated response from the UN system as she has set out this morning. UN Action has played an important part in implementing the monitoring analysis and reporting arrangements (MARA).
