Wednesday
Sep302009
Secretary of State Clinton Pushes For End To Abuse Of Women And Children In Conflict
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 2:01PM
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton chaired a Security Council meeting today to adopt a resolution to combat sexual violence of women and children in armed conflict. The resolution 1888 of 2009, drafted by the United States, outlines actions the UN and Member States can take to help prevent conflict-related sexual violence and end impunity.
The Security Council’s action to adopt this resolution is part of the Obama Administration’s work to protect women and children in conflict situations.
Resolution 1888 states that “ending impunity is essential if a society in conflict or recovering from conflict is to come to terms with past abuses committed against civilians affected by armed conflict and to prevent future such abuses.”
The new resolution takes from lessons learned in previous Security Council resolutions, 1820 and 1325, which were central to raising the issue of sexual violence in conflict regions. More specifically, it calls for among others-- the appointment of a Special Representative to lead efforts to end conflict-related sexual violence against women and children, and demands action from the Secretary-General to submit annual reports on the implementation of both resolution 1888 and 1820, as well as for more systematic reporting on conflict-related sexual violence.
The United States mission to the Untied Nations states:
"Conflict-related sexual violence against women and children continues in many areas around the world. Many of the survivors of sexual violence are children, particularly girls. In the Democratic Republic of Congo approximately 1,100 rapes are being reported each month, with an average of 36 women and girls raped every day. In addition to these rapes and gang rapes, of which there have been hundreds of thousands over the duration of the conflict, the perpetrators frequently mutilate the women in the course of the attacks."
President Obama issued a statement in support of the adoption of the resolution:
"I am pleased that the Security Council, chaired by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, unanimously approved a US-sponsored resolution that will increase the protection of women and children in conflict. In particular, the resolution focuses on one of the most abhorrent features of modern war: the use of rape as a weapon, and other forms of sexual violence against women and children."
The Security Council’s action to adopt this resolution is part of the Obama Administration’s work to protect women and children in conflict situations.
Resolution 1888 states that “ending impunity is essential if a society in conflict or recovering from conflict is to come to terms with past abuses committed against civilians affected by armed conflict and to prevent future such abuses.”
The new resolution takes from lessons learned in previous Security Council resolutions, 1820 and 1325, which were central to raising the issue of sexual violence in conflict regions. More specifically, it calls for among others-- the appointment of a Special Representative to lead efforts to end conflict-related sexual violence against women and children, and demands action from the Secretary-General to submit annual reports on the implementation of both resolution 1888 and 1820, as well as for more systematic reporting on conflict-related sexual violence.
The United States mission to the Untied Nations states:
"Conflict-related sexual violence against women and children continues in many areas around the world. Many of the survivors of sexual violence are children, particularly girls. In the Democratic Republic of Congo approximately 1,100 rapes are being reported each month, with an average of 36 women and girls raped every day. In addition to these rapes and gang rapes, of which there have been hundreds of thousands over the duration of the conflict, the perpetrators frequently mutilate the women in the course of the attacks."
President Obama issued a statement in support of the adoption of the resolution:
"I am pleased that the Security Council, chaired by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, unanimously approved a US-sponsored resolution that will increase the protection of women and children in conflict. In particular, the resolution focuses on one of the most abhorrent features of modern war: the use of rape as a weapon, and other forms of sexual violence against women and children."
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