UNITED States Secretary of State Antony J Blinken has said conflict worsens gender-based violence.
Blinken, in a statement on Sunday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (IDESVC).
He said the United States has remained deeply committed to preventing and responding to all forms of gender-based violence, which disproportionately impacts women and girls.
“The United States recognises that respect for the rights and dignity of women and girls, in all their diversity is essential to promoting global peace, security, democracy, and economic prosperity.
“The world faces a number of pressing issues that disproportionately impact women and girls, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, food insecurity, and conflict and humanitarian emergencies around the world. The international community has been inundated with devastating reports of conflict-related sexual violence from across the world, including in Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Syria. We have seen how conflict and crisis exacerbate gender inequality and increase women and girls’ vulnerability to gender-based violence, online and offline. Increased violence impedes women’s ability to participate meaningfully in the social, political, and economic sectors of life, causing cycles of poverty, marginalisation, and insecurity,” the statement said.
Blinken said the United States was taking concrete steps to prevent conflict-related sexual violence.
He added that the U.S. was committed to developing a comprehensive gender-based violence policies and prevention efforts.
Blinken said the United States would release an update to the U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally.
“Additionally, through the U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security, the Department of State is working to promote the participation of women in decision-making and conflict resolution, protection of the human rights of women and girls, access to aid, and safety from violence, abuse – including conflict-related sexual violence – and exploitation around the world. We recognise that we cannot effect sustainable change on our own, so the United States works closely with multilateral partners and allies, including the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict,” he said.
Elimination of conflict-related sexual violence, he said, is both a moral and strategic imperative. He faulted empty calls for action and expressions of concern.
He urged On the international community to prevent all forms of gender-based violence “so that the support we provide is survivor-centered and truly advances justice and accountability for such crimes”.
