Vietnam chairs UNSC open debate on sexual violence in conflict

Addressing the event, Pramila Patten, United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, noted sexual violence remains complicated in the context of armed conflicts taking place here and there globally and increasingly becomes a great challenge due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She cited the UN Secretary-General’s 12th annual report saying the UN has verified 2,500 cases of conflict-related sexual violence committed in the course of 2020.

Victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts, especially women and girls, face many challenges such as insecurity, difficulty in accessing healthcare and psychological services, legal advice, humanitarian assistance, and as well as other cultural, social and institutional barriers. Furthermore, many victims dare not speak up for help due to stigma, insecurity, fear of reprisals, and lack of services.

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Denis Mukwege underscored the need to implement relevant resolutions of the UNSC, strengthen efforts to realize the agenda on women, peace and security, and urged the international community to promote the search for justice for victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts.

Caroline Atim, director of the South Sudan Women with Disabilities Network (SSWD), informed the meeting about the risks of abuse and sexual violence faced by women with disabilities in armed conflicts.

In addition, Beatrix Attinger Colijn, a women’s protection adviser from the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), shared her practical experience in supporting and protecting victims of sexual violence due to armed conflicts in the Central African Republic.

UNSC member states hailed Vietnam’s initiative to host a debate as a humanistic and urgent topic. They reiterated their commitment to preventing and ending sexual violence in conflict, while stressing the need to address this issue, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his speech, Vietnamese ambassador Dang Dinh Quy shared his concerns about sexual violence in conflict and its negative impact on victims, especially women and children.

Emphasizing the need to take a comprehensive approach and address the root cause of the issue, the ambassador called on the international community to increase support for victims of sexual violence in conflict, with a primary focus on helping the victims access psychological support, healthcare, training, legal advice, community reintegration, and livelihoods services.

He also urged the international community to promote women’s role and participation in the peace process, conflict prevention, as well as in political, economic, cultural and social life of nations. He maintained that, through coordination with the United Nations and peacekeeping missions, it is necessary to increase efforts to assist the victims and enhance their empowerment in society.