Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

States should be aware of the challenge posed by the integrated implementation of a broad legislative framework and protection initiatives geared towards women and girls, as well as the difficulties involved in prosecuting and punishing the perpetrators of crimes affecting women and girls, particularly sexual violence and related crimes.

Building capacity in the area of women and peace and security is also key. Late last year, Brazil signed a letter of intent with UN-Women, in order to deepen our cooperation regarding the training of peacekeepers on gender issues and the promotion of South-South cooperation on gender issues involving peacekeeping training centres in Latin America and Africa.

To that end, Botswana reiterates its strong condemnation of all violations committed against women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict and post-conflict situations.

Poverty, the struggle and rivalry for resources, socioeconomic injustices and forced occupation lie at the heart of conflicts. They create a breeding ground for such social scourges as conflicts, including violence against women and girls, increase. The impact of that violence not only weakens the safety and security of women and girls but also tears the entire political, economic and social fabric.

More resolute and targeted measures are required to end impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, including those committed against women in situations of armed conflict. Among the pressing issues requiring urgent action and attention is that of women taken hostage and reported missing in connection with armed conflict.

In March, Australia launched its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. Women's organizations played a pivotal role in shaping the Plan, and we consider their ongoing role in monitoring compliance to be central to the Plan's success. We encourage all States who have not implemented such plans to do so, and to engage women's organizations in developing, implementing and evaluating these plans.

Knowledge regarding the scope, prevalence, impact and cost of violence against women remains inadequate. Greater efforts are needed to collect more information and data of better quality on such violence.

To that end, by focusing on training and equipping the army, we have seen an encouraging growth in the number and capacities of our security forces. Those efforts have included women's participation in the Afghan National Army, in which they serve in a variety of capacities, including highly technical roles, such as pilots.

“Thirdly, our child protection advisers are working closely with all civilian components, such as those dealing with human rights, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, rule of law, justice, protection of civilians coordinators, women protection advisers, gender and security sector reform to promote synergies and a child-sensitive approach to their work.”

In spite of legal and constitutional protections for women, violence against women and girls remains pervasive in Afghanistan. Improvements require the enforcement of laws — notably the law on the elimination of violence against women — that criminalize and penalize violence and harmful practices against women and girls.