We agree to a large extent with the specific recommendation of the Secretary General. We must bring greater pressure to bear against those responsible for acts of sexual violence in armed conflict.

The work that the Security Council had been developing during the last three years had the purpose of trying to strengthen collective measures to combat sexual violence in armed conflicts.

More over, we should guarantee the participation of women in the solution and prevention of conflicts. The rehabilitation and reconstruction aspects are very important tools for the full implementation of Resolution 1325 (2000). Guatemala supports the notion that women should have a predominant role in mediation of controversies. We encourage the Secretary General to appoint more qualified women as Special Representatives and Special Envoys.

Finally, we want to reiterate our support to the United Nations campaign against sexual violence in conflicts, as well as to the Secretary General's Policy of Zero Tolerance on Sexual Exploitation and abuse by the United Nations Peacekeeping and Humanitarian personnel. We also encourage Mrs.

We recognize that the mandate of combating sexual violence in situations of conflict is a very complex one. When these crimes are perpetrated in a massive and systematic way against women and girls by armed groups, they have the aim, among other aspects, to punish, humiliate and destroy the fabric of society. Moreover, very often this widespread violence includes discriminatory attitudes, sheltered by a culture of impunity.

Prevention is an important aspect of the SRSG's mandate, the Security Council needs to be properly informed about all possible threats to peace and security.

What more can the Security Council, UN organizations and Member States do? First, our key goal should be prevention and not mere reaction. To facilitate such an approach, exact and reliable data and early-warning mechanisms, as mentioned in the Secretary General's report, are crucial. Awareness-raising and training, especially for peace-keepers and police-officers should also be high on our agenda.

This Council has recognized the threat of conflict-related sexual violence to peace and security. Resolutions 1820, 1888 and 1960 have been historic responses to a heinous reality. However, the disturbing situation on the ground, reflected in the recent report of the Secretary General and in today's briefings, underlines the strong imperative to “keep up the fight”.

Thirdly, we need greater resolve on ensuring the participation of women in all stages of peace processes. To take an example: the issue of sexual violence has not yet figured in most ceasefire or peace agreements. To start closing this gap an interesting new tool has been developed by DPA: New mediation guidelines, which take into account the issue of sexual violence.

The issue on our agenda today is one of the most abhorrent, yet still all too often concealed and under-reported crimes. In a number of armed conflicts sexual violence is used as a “weapon of war”, thus not only destroying its victims but traumatizing societies at large.