On April 16, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, gave a statement during the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security.

In his intervention, Archbishop Auza spoke of the need to prevent and address conflict-related sexual violence. While the international community has made progress on increasing women’s role in peace and security, he said, women still suffer far too frequently from sexual violence during conflict. Preventing sexual violence begins with preventing conflict in the first place, he stated. Efforts to deter sexual violence against women should be an integral part of peacekeeping operations. Post-conflict situations are often chaotic, lawless and dangerous, facilitating violence against women, and need to be remedied with education, economic development and social advancement. Survivors of violence in conflict should receive comprehensive assistance to recover and reintegrate and States should ensure the prosecution of perpetrators. Violence against women in normal daily situations, Archbishop Auza added, should also be addressed.

His statement can be found here.