Guterres says ripple effect of sexual violence in conflict threatens ‘collective security’
New York, US (PANA) - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has reiterated that sexual violence in conflict is a “threat to our collective security” and a “stain on our common humanity”.
In his message commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, on Wednesday, he called the scourge “a tactic of war, to terrorise people and to destabilise societies”.
Guterres underscored that its effect can echo across generations through trauma, stigma, poverty, long-term health issues and unwanted pregnancy. He urged that survivors should be heard and their needs recognized.
“They are mostly women and girls, but also men and boys, calling for our support to access life-saving health services, justice and reparation,” he elaborated.
The day also honours those “working on the frontlines”, said the UN chief, “directly assisting victims to rebuild their lives”.
“Our global response must include more concerted action to ensure accountability for the perpetrators – and to address the gender inequality that fuels these atrocities,” stressed Mr. Guterres, adding that “together, we can and must replace impunity with justice; and indifference with action”.
Sexual violence in conflict constitutes “a grave human rights violation with devastating physical, psychological and social consequences” that impede economic development, social cohesion and sustainable peace and security”, said Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Pramila Patten, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, in a joint statement marking the day.
While women and girls are “disproportionately the first targets both in times of war and peace”, they highlighted that men and boys are also affected.
“Sexual violence is a crime that is preventable, not inevitable,” they maintained. They added that this is why the UN and EU are committed to strengthen their work in “prevention, protection and prosecution, as well as in terms of holistic support to survivors to help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods within their families and communities”.
The women noted that the Security Council’s call for a “survivor-centred approach” aims to guide prevention and response to empower those affected and minimise their risks of social ostracism, stigma and reprisals. -0- PANA MA 20June2019
