Conflict Related Sexual Violence: Turning Commitments into Compliance – Security Council
Source: United Nations
The United Nations Security held an open debate on conflict-related sexual violence on 17, July 2020. SRSG-SVC Pramila Patten briefed the Security Council on the annual report and outline the major trends, challenges and best practices to prevent and respond to CRSV. Other briefers included UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie, a civil society speaker from Myanmar on behalf of the NGO Working Group on WPS and the Présidente Exécutive, Association des Femmes Juristes de Centrafrique (AFJC), Nadia Carine Therese Fornel-Poutou. It was chaired by Heiko Maas, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Watch the briefing here.
Statement by Ms. Khin Ohmar at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Source: NGO Working Group on WPS
The statement was made by Ms. Khin Ohmar, experienced peace and security advocate from Myanmar, Founder and Chairperson of the Advisory Board of Progressive Voice, and on behalf of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Read the statement here.
Statement of SRSG-SVC Pramila Patten Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence “Turning Commitments into Compliance”
Source: UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Mr. President, Distinguished Members of the Security Council,
We meet today to find effective ways to turn commitments into compliance, and resolutions into results. We meet in the spirit of pursuing a survivor-centered approach, which ensures that survivors of wartime sexual violence will not be forgotten, even in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic that has captured the attention of the world.
In that respect, I would like to sincerely appreciate the leadership of Germany in convening this debate during exceptionally challenging times, and to particularly thank His Excellency, Mr. Heiko Maas, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, who chairs this meeting for the second consecutive year. I also extend my appreciation to the Dominican Republic for its support and collaboration at all stages of the planning process. I warmly welcome the civil society briefers from Myanmar and the Central African Republic, as well as Special Envoy Angelina Jolie, who will lend their unique voices to our collective search for solutions.
Read the full statement here.
Wartime Sexual Violence a ‘Psychological Weapon’, Sets Back Cause of Peace
Source: UN News
Sexual violence is used as a war tactic and a political tool to dehumanize, destabilize and forcibly displace populations across the globe, the UN’s expert on the issue told the Security Council on Friday, pressing countries to adopt a survivor-centred approach that ensures victims will not be forgotten.
Read the full story here.
Media Advisory: UN Gathering to Call for a Stronger Multilateral Approach to Deliver on the Beijing Platform for Action – The Blueprint for Advancing Gender Equality
Source: Un Women
Member states and observers, civil society organizations, gender equality leaders, CEOs, and heads of academia will gather virtually on 21 July 2020 in a multi-stakeholder hearing to bolster priority actions at the global and national level that will address the challenges that threaten the bold vision of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 25 years after its adoption.
Read full story here.
The Path Forward: America Reimagined In The Context Of Systemic Change
Source: LSE Centre for WPS / Nina Ansary
The disproportionate toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and minorities, coupled with the global outrage at the horrific killing of George Floyd has brought the issue of systemic inequality into mainstream conversation. As America struggles to reinvent itself amidst the strictures of the pandemic, Nina Ansary asks why is systemic change so important? And what should that change look like?
Read the article here.
