BRIEF: U.N. Calls Violence Against Women During Armed Conflict 'Hideous'

UNITED NATIONS – On October 23, 2007 the U.N. Security Council met to implement a resolution, passed in 2000, that aimed to increase the prosecution of crimes against women in times of war. 

Assistant Secretary-General Rachel Mayanja condemned “impunity for perpetrators” and the “insufficient response to the needs of survivors” in her address to the Council. 

Joanne Sandler, acting executive director of U.N. Development Fund for Women, called the systematic sexual violence that occurs during and after military conflict “socially destructive.” 

The U.N. Security Council called for “concerted, robust and ongoing action” to diminish violence against women during armed conflict.  One implementation procedure suggested at the meeting was to appoint more women to “decision-making bodies dealing with peace, reconstruction and rebuilding of societies.” 

For more information, please see:
 
USA Today - U.N. Chief Decries 'Hideous' Violence Against Women - 23 October 2007

Jurist - UN Urges End to Impunity for Violence Against Women - 24 October 2007

IPS - RIGHTS: Gender Violence a Universal Norm, Says U.N. - 9 October 2007