On the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict on 19 June, Under-Secretary-General Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC) of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC), and Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the IPU, signed a new Framework of Cooperation Agreement.
The agreement aims to promote and facilitate the engagement of parliamentarians in addressing conflict-related sexual violence. Areas of cooperation include raising awareness of the importance of empowering survivors of conflict-related sexual violence through comprehensive legislation; providing technical assistance to parliaments in drafting new domestic legislation to ensure accountability for conflict-related sexual violence; cooperating in conflict mandates as part of the UN Women, Peace and Security agenda through joint research and advocacy; and using various UN and IPU fora to increase awareness of national parliaments in the prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence.
To commemorate the 7th International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the OSRSG-SVC has launched Model Legislative Provisions and Guidance on the Investigation and Prosecution of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, a new tool to help countries seeking to enact new laws on conflict-related sexual violence or amend existing ones.
The OSRSG-SVC also named Mr. Martin Chungong as a ‘Global Champion for the Fight Against Sexual Violence in Conflict’ in recognition of his important work in the promotion of gender equality, human rights, promotion of dialogue and conflict resolution, as well as his unwavering commitment to support the mandate of the OSRSG-SVC through the Framework of Cooperation.
“Secretary General Chungong has demonstrated a deep commitment to the issue of prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence as well as an ability to lead, influence and affect change. I welcome him as a new Global Champion for the Fight Against Sexual Violence in Conflict,” Under-Secretary-General Patten stated.
Conflict-related sexual violence, perpetrated against women and girls significantly, but also against men and boys, continues to be used as a cruel tactic of war, torture and political repression. It is a serious crime that can have lasting, harmful effects on victims and their family, friends and communities. Yet, in many countries, national legislation fails to provide a comprehensive legal framework that recognizes all forms of sexual violence as crimes and protects all individuals who may fall victim. Such weaknesses in the laws and procedures of many countries allow perpetrators to escape punishment and deny victims the right to remedy.
“Partnerships are essential to my mandate. I value this cooperation with the IPU as national parliaments can play a critical role in shaping prevention and response efforts to conflict-related sexual violence through legislation, oversight processes, budget allocation and advocacy. The use of the Model Legislative Provisions and Guidance by parliamentarians in national jurisdictions will be a meaningful step toward fulfilment of the priorities set out in the Framework of Cooperation,” added Under-Secretary-General Pramila Patten.
Mr. Chungong said “I am honoured to be a Global Champion for the Fight Against Sexual Violence in Conflict. The IPU has long focused on protecting women against violence in politics so this new alliance with the OSRSG-SVC is a natural extension of this work. It will intensify our efforts to generate broad political will from parliamentarians around the world to strengthen legal frameworks to end this scourge.”
The new President of the IPU Forum of Women Parliamentarians, Ms. Lesia Vasylenko, said: “We know that armed conflict has a different and disproportionate impact on women and girls. We call for parliaments to put in place the measures needed to protect them from sexual violence and to provide reparations for violations of their human rights. History shows that the empowerment of women and gender equality are critical steps in conflict resolution and post-conflict recovery.”
For more information about the IPU, contact Thomas Fitzsimons at email: [email protected] or [email protected] or tel: +41(0) 79 854 31 53
Ms Géraldine Boezio, Public Information Officer,
Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Tel: +1 917 367 3306 Email: [email protected]
