UNITED NATIONS, Sexual violence in conflict \u201creverberates down generations\u201d and threatens both human and international security, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said in his message on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.<\/p>\n
Already a \u201ccruel tactic of war, torture, terror and repression\u201d, he pointed to the turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic that \u201chas made it even more difficult to hold perpetrators of sexual violence to account\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven as we respond to the pandemic, we must investigate every case, and maintain essential services for every survivor\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n
Even as COVID-19 has triggered new obstacles for survivors to report crimes and access support services, the UN chief said that recovery must also include tackling \u201cthe root causes of sexual and gender-based violence\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot allow this already under reported crime to slip further into the shadows. Perpetrators must be punished\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n
He concluded his message for the day by saying: \u201cLet\u2019s resolve to uphold the rights and meet the needs of all survivors, as we work to prevent and end these horrific crimes\u201d.<\/p>\n
Prior to the annual commemoration on 19 June, a virtual event was co-hosted by the Offices of the Special Representatives on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SVC) and Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC), along with the Argentinian Mission, to foster measures for an enabling environment that encourages survivors to safely come forward and seek redress.<\/p>\n
Against the backdrop of a global pandemic that has laid bare intersecting inequalities that plague our societies, compounded by conflict, displacement and institutional fragility, the event framed \u201cthe only solution for these overlapping ills\u201d, as an injection of political resolve and resources, equal to the scale of the challenge.<\/p>\n
CAAC Special Representative Virginia Gamba expressed concern for the children born of rape during conflict who face \u201cdistinct, sometimes life-threatening and enduring risks\u201d.<\/p>\n
To better protect children sexually abused \u201cby, in and for armed conflict\u201d, she stressed the importance of focusing on key areas, such as strengthening accountability measures to end cultures of impunity and ultimately prevent recurrences.<\/p>\n
She underscored the need to recognize as \u201cessential services\u201d, the work of monitoring and reporting teams, and protection advisors for women and children, as priorities that must be adequately funded.<\/p>\n
Finally, Ms. Gamba said there was an \u201curgent necessity to increase human and financial resources to reach child survivors, hear their stories and \u201csecure the support they desperately need\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Special Representative expressed her strong hope that this seventh annual commemoration would \u201cspark decisive change\u201d and that all children survivors of conflict-related sexual violence will be able to receive \u201ctailored, gender-sensitive, age-appropriated services\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe post-pandemic world can only be built back better by including those affected the most. This is an imperative for societies if they wish to thrive and for peace to last\u201d, concluded Ms. Gamba.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS, Sexual violence in conflict \u201creverberates down generations\u201d and threatens both human and international security, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said in his message on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. Already a \u201ccruel tactic of war, torture, terror […]<\/p>\n
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