Policy paper

International Ministerial Conference on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative 2022: national commitments

Updated 1 June 2023

Australia

Conflict-related sexual violence is an appalling aspect of conflicts. It is an abuse of human rights and is happening across current crises, including Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, the Sahel region and Ukraine.

The use of conflict-related sexual violence, including against women in leadership and public roles, women’s human rights defenders and members of grassroots organizations, must end. We have the tools and frameworks to do this, including the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the Political Declaration of this Conference.

Australia’s commitment to prevent sexual violence in conflict is longstanding and is being actioned under our second National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2021 to 2031.

Australia is steadfast in supporting survivors of sexual violence, and in seeing an end to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. We will sustain our support for transformative global, regional and local initiatives, including the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund, women mediator networks, the work of women’s rights organisations, and mechanisms that deliver gender justice.

International action matters. Australia is a founding member of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, has joined the WPS and Humanitarian Action Compact, and encourages use of the Murad Code. Australia advocates for the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence, including in UN Security Council Open Debates. We maintain zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in all contexts, operations and missions.

Importantly, Australia stands with survivors, who we will act in partnership with; guided by their knowledge, resilience and leadership.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh commits to:

Strengthening the global response, including by working with partners at the United Nations to build global multilateral consensus in combating CRSV and to mitigate the sufferings of CRSV victims worldwide. We will appoint a national special envoy on CRSV to lead our response. We will join our commitments to the Call of Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies.

Preventing CRSV. We will reform policy and will substantially invest in next five years in programmes to tackle the harmful gender norms that drive sexual violence. We will deliver training to the military as well as law enforcement agencies on tackling CRSV. We will support any constructive peacebuilding initiative to help prevent CRSV.

Strengthening justice for CRSV, including by enhancing the capacity of the criminal justice system to conduct survivor-centered investigations and prosecutions of CRV cases. We will support the state prosecution to enable survivors to pursue broader means of justice and accountability, for example, truth and reconciliation processes and memoralisation. We will also champion the Murad Code to organizations gathering information from survivors, and will review how the Code can strengthen practice within our government’s policies, programmes and operations.

Supporting survivors and children born as a result of CRSV. We will enhance investment for next 5 years in programmes supporting survivors of gender-based violence, including CRSV. We will work with faith leaders to implement the Declaration of Humanity. We will sign the ‘Call to Action to Ensure the Rights and Wellbeing of Children Born of Sexual Violence in Conflict’, and we will work with other partners under the Platform for Action.

Belgium

Belgium commits to:

Promoting the implementation of the international normative framework with regards to gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence:

Belgium will continue to actively promote, at the regional and international level, the ratification, respect for and implementation of regional and international conventions with regards to gender equality, the human rights of women and girls and the fight against gender-based violence. After all, preventing conflict-related sexual violence starts with a strong and equal social, political and economic position/participation of women and girls in society, based on dignity, respect and empowerment.

Promoting the implementation of the national normative framework with regards to gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence:

Through the active implementation of the 4th National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security as well as the 6th National Action Plan to combat gender-based violence, Belgium will strengthen its measures in the areas of integrated policy, prevention, protection and prosecution.

Promoting accountability and an end to impunity:

Belgium will continue to cooperate with international partners, such as the UN Team of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict, to combat impunity of perpetrators of violence against women and girls and prevent the normalisation of conflict-related sexual violence. Belgium highlights in this regard the importance of a survivor-centered approach and the need to strengthen access to justice for victims and survivors.

In doing the above, special attention will be paid to the important role of civil society, women’s organizations, women human rights defenders and women peacebuilders.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina commits to:

Strengthen the global response by working with all partners at global level to exchange lessons learn and best practices from the legal and other measures that Bosnia and Herzegovina implemented after the war 1992 to 1995. We will work on the appointment a national special envoy on CRSV to lead and further streamline our response. We will join the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies.

Prevent CRSV with continuation of the relevant reforms that will tackle the harmful gender norms that drive sexual violence.

Strengthen justice for CRSV, including support to civil society organizations to enable survivors to pursue broader means of justice and accountability, for example, truth and reconciliation processes or memorialization. We will also champion the Murad Code to organisations gathering information from survivors, and will review how the Code can strengthen practice within our government’s policies, programmes and operations.

Support survivors and children born as a result of CRSV. We will support survivors of gender-based violence including CRSV as well as the civil society organizations that are working with survivors and promoting their rights. We will also work with faith leaders to implement the Declaration of Humanity. We fully endorse the Call to Action to Ensure the Rights and Wellbeing of Children Born of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Continue to work on CRSV issues through the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in partnership with EU, established in the framework of G7 members’ Initiative on Women, Peace and Security Agenda, in 2019.

Canada

As a PSVI Champion, Canada reiterates its commitment to ensure survivor-centered approaches in pursuing justice for conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). Canada will work to provide adequate support for survivors, and for children born of sexual violence in conflict (CBoSViC), and strengthen the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence globally.

Canada will commit to:

Promote the ‘Global Code of Conduct for Gathering and Using Information about Systematic and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence’ (the Murad Code) and actively explore how its principles can be included as training for international deployments and investigations.

Continue to collaborate where possible with relevant international mandate holders, such as the office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the office of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls.

Endorse the Call to action for CBoSViC and commit to the Platform for Action.

Work to uphold the rights and well-being of all children, including those who experience sexual violence and CBoSViC, advocating for their rights, agency and participation in decision-making where and whenever possible.

Work towards CBoSVIC-sensitive approaches in Canadian programming where children born of sexual violence are affected or engaged.

Contribute to strengthening justice for conflict-related sexual violence survivors through support to the Justice Rapid Response/UN Women Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Justice Experts Roster, and through advocacy, deployments of Canadian expertise and capacity building at the international and national levels.

Contribute to strengthening the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence globally, including by addressing the harmful norms, behaviours and practices that are root causes of this violence.

Chile

Chile pledges to incorporate the Commitments in the process of elaboration of its Third National Action Plan for the implementation of Resolution 1325, currently under construction.

Chile pledges to implement the Commitments in its Third National Action Plan for the implementation of Resolution 1325, to be published in 2023.

Colombia

Colombia commits to:

The Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and has the honour to refer to the Declaration to be adopted at the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Conference, which Colombia confirmed adherence.

The Permanent Mission wishes to indicate the national pledges related to the Declaration, as follows:

Colombia commits to formulate the National Action Plan for the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1325, which will include concrete strategies to prevent and respond effectively to cases of sexual violence in the context of the armed conflict.

Colombia will continue to strengthen its national justice systems, particularly the transitional justice system, to determine the persons responsible for the commission of sexual crimes in the context of the armed conflict and materialize the rights of victims to truth, justice, and reparation.

The Permanent Mission of Colombia to the United Nations avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations the assurances of its highest consideration.

Croatia

The Republic of Croatia commits to:

Strengthening the global response through raising the issue of CRSV as an essential aspect of our diplomatic engagement, including through promoting and implementing WPS and 2030 Agenda:

As a country with first-hand experience of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from the aggression against Croatia in the 1990s, we will continue to advocate the importance of addressing the prevention of conflicts and CRSV, confronting CRSV as a war crime and social taboos and assisting survivors. We will also continue to promote the importance of meaningful engagement of women in conflict and post-conflict societies.

Preventing CRSV through the continuation of delivering training to national security forces and military, as well as to civilian members of peace operations on tackling CRSV:

We will exert efforts to further improve and enhance the existing national military education and training programmes covering the subject matter on prevention and response to CRSV, with an emphasis on pre-deployment training for participation in peace support operations.

Strengthening justice for CRSV by further sharing our extensive war and post-conflict management experience with interested countries, including our experience in drafting and implementing the Law on the Rights of Victims of Sexual Violence in the Homeland War. We also reiterate Croatia’s support for the Murad Code:

Our own experiences taught us of the importance of adequately addressing conflict-related abuses of human rights, including sexual violence, as well as providing necessary assistance, health-care, psychological counselling and financial support to the survivors. Therefore, we stand ready to share the lessons we have unfortunately gained during and after the Homeland War. As for the Murad Code, we will distribute it to relevant actors for due consideration regarding the possible added value benefit, applicability, complementariness and adherence to existing regulations/procedures, current practices and language used in the aforementioned training programmes.

Supporting survivors and children born as a result of CRSV by promoting the Declaration of Humanity by Leaders of Faith and Leaders of Belief among the faith leaders in Croatia, as well as by endorsing the Call to Action to Ensure the Rights and Wellbeing of Children Born of Sexual Violence in Conflict (CtA):

We will be dedicated to raising the awareness of religious communities in Croatia about the Declaration of Humanity and strive to ensure the widest possible support for its implementation. By signing the CtA, we will confirm our commitment to prevention and protection of the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalised.

Cyprus

Cyprus commits to:

Revising the National Action Plan on Equality – will be focusing on:

• Combating all forms of violence against women
• Promoting balanced participation between women and men in decision-making positions
• Modernizing / Improving the legislative framework
• Protecting and Empowering Vulnerable Groups of Women
• Promoting equality between men and women in employment
• Eliminating Gender Stereotypes and Social Prejudices
• Educating and Training Women in ICTS

Commitments in the field of Preventing and Combating Gender-based Violence: Contribute to setting up and operating a unified Europe-wide telephone helpline for the victims of gender-based violence, providing support, protection and guidance. The government will provide financial support for the necessary infrastructure, and equipment.

Create a Unified Archive – collect, analyse and process data on all forms of violence against women which are included in the Istanbul Convention. This will assist in planning and developing targeted measures, actions, and policies.

Implementing the New Law on Preventing and Combating Sexism with targeted measures, creating a tool to both prosecute anyone behaving in a sexist manner, and to protect the victims

Strengthening the support to the Woman’s House, which has been in operation since December 2020 and support the victims.

Strengthening the application of the National Action Plan on the full implementation of resolution 1325 (women, peace and security) and make full use of its tools, highlighting the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution, but also in peacebuilding.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic commits to:

Implementation of the OECD/DAC recommendation on ending sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance (DC-HA). This commitment encompasses whole DC-HA policy in cooperation with all kinds of implementing partners. By 2025, a comprehensive guideline will be developed and streamlined into the strategic framework of bilateral development and humanitarian assistance. The implementation of the OECD/DAC Recommendation contributes to a coherent approach to GBV both in relation to strategic framework, goals and commitments, to the general implementation settings with various partners, and to the accountable delivery.

Special funding focused on participation and empowerment in bilateral and partner programmes (in particular in cooperation with UNHCR, UNICEF, UNRWA, WFP) in ODA priority partner countries, fragile partner countries with implemented nexus approach. Targeted outcomes of this commitment (to be fulfilled by 2025) are:

(i) to integrate GBV and gender equality considerations into all levels of sectoral and inter-sectoral humanitarian coordination, as well as humanitarian/agency leadership, strategic planning, programmatic prioritization, monitoring, and reporting and

(ii) to provide resources, including flexible, multi-year funding, for joined-up programming at the humanitarian-development-peace nexus that effectively addresses GBV prevention and response and gender equality, while ensuring that humanitarian action remains grounded in humanitarian principles.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo, as part of the call to action for children born of rape, commits to:

Strengthening the global response:

Continued implementation of the joint communiqué in its three components: participation, justice and multisectoral response in collaboration with UN agencies.

Commitment to undertake a national assessment on the rights and well-being of children born of rape in conflict with a view to having appropriate policies.

Preventing violence in conflict:

Promote the national strategy to combat gender-based violence to combat gender norms and harmful practices with an assorted timetable for action.

Strengthening collaboration with religious and traditional leaders.

Strengthening justice for CRVS:

Strengthen its legal arsenal: as recommended in the joint communiqué in the context of justice (civil and military courts) to conduct specific investigations and prosecutions and policies including law-making ( GBV, Law on Trafficking, Law on Protection and Redress and its Enforcement Measures, Law on Protection of Defenders,

Supporting survivors and children born as a result of sexual violence in conflict: developing social policies to support vulnerable groups including children born of violence and establishing a reparations fund

Estonia

Today, at the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Conference in 2022, Estonia would like to reiterate its commitment for joint action in protecting people around the world from conflict related sexual violence. Conflict related sexual violence – its main targets being women and girls – continues to be a disturbing pattern across conflicts. We need to change this.

Tackling conflict related sexual violence has been a longstanding priority for Estonia, including as a member of the UN Security Council in 2020 to 2021. Apart from political dedication and in our fight against impunity, Estonia contributes financially to preventing conflict related sexual violence through international organisations and in its development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. Estonia is also a member of the UN Group of Friends on Eliminating Violence Against Women as well as the Group of Friends on Women, Peace and Security. In peacekeeping operations, we are helping to implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda while protecting people on the ground.

With that, Estonia fully commits itself further to the following pledges:

To continue supporting, including financially, the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

To continue supporting, including financially, the UN Population Fund in its work of advancing sexual and reproductive health rights and services around the world and helping survivors of gender-based violence.

To prioritise conflict prevention, including in development cooperation and continue providing humanitarian assistance. In the ongoing brutal war of Russia against Ukraine, helping Ukrainian women and girls and emphasizing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, is our priority. Since February, Estonia, including through civil society and private sector support, has already provided over 22 million euros worth of humanitarian assistance, including medicines and medical supplies, food packages, temporary shelter and rescue equipment as well as winterisation assistance to Ukraine.

To continue supporting, including financially, UN Women and implementing the commitments made by Estonia, including in our third Women, Peace and Security Action Plan for 2020 to 2025. We will continue our contribution in the Generation Equality Forum and the Global Compact on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action of which Estonia is a catalytic member.

Georgia

Georgia commits to:

Strengthening the global response. We will support the UN and other international regional organizations in their efforts to address sexual violence in conflict. We will actively engage with partners to strengthen prevention, response, justice and accountability for conflict related sexual violence and to provide comprehensive support to survivors.

Preventing CRSV. We will undertake policies and programmes to tackle the harmful gender norms that drive sexual violence. We will support women’s full and equal political, social and economic participation, including in all conflict prevention and resolution, justice and security sector processes as critical factor for ending sexual violence in conflict.

Strengthening justice for CRSV, including by taking measures for effective investigation and prosecution of such crimes, building the capacity of law enforcement agencies to conduct survivor-centred investigations and/or prosecutions of CRSV cases.

Supporting survivors and children born as a result of CRSV. We commit to implement programs and policies to provide comprehensive assistance and care, including health and psychological care, to victims, survivors and children born as a result of CRSV.

Germany

Germany commits to keeping the prevention of and fight against conflict-related sexualised violence at the forefront of its political agenda and to making it one of the political priorities under its feminist foreign and development policies.

Germany commits to:

We commit to a survivor and victim-centred approach: In our focus on preventing conflict-related sexualised violence, we commit to always adopt a survivor and victim-centred approach, putting the needs, security, dignity and agency of survivors and victims at the centre of all our efforts.

We commit to contributing towards greater accountability, by supporting the efforts of national or international investigative mechanisms, prosecutors and courts, financially, politically and with technical and personal support. We commit to supporting countries who wish to strengthen their own judicial systems and accountability mechanisms.

We commit to supporting women peace builders and women-led civil society organisations who work tirelessly to probe and enquire to provide first aid, psychological and social support and health services, including with regards to sexual and reproductive health and rights, to access to justice and redress, to advocate for victims and survivors.

We are stronger together. As Champions of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda it is our duty and our privilege to commit towards the continued eradication of conflict-related sexualised violence, and in the meantime, to do our utmost to support those who have become victims or survivors of such crimes as well as those who commit their lives to preventing and fighting against sexualised and gender-based violence in conflict. We continue our engagement in supporting existing multilateral mechanisms, such as the UN, the EU, OSCE, among others, and ensure that a survivor- and victim-centred approach is adopted for survivors and victims of all genders.

Greece

Greece reiterates its commitment to contribute substantially to the global response to conflict-related sexual violence, by endorsing the Political Declaration of the PSVI Conference. In this regard, Greece commits to further strengthen its national framework on zero tolerance against any form of gender-based violence, whether committed at home or abroad. Specifically:

Greece attaches high priority to the national implementation of the UN Security Council Agenda on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), by developing a dedicated National Action Plan, which focuses, inter alia, on the protection, relief and recovery of migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women and girls, including survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and/or victims of trafficking. Special attention is given to the protection of their sexual and reproductive health and rights. The National Action Plan on WPS is coherently linked to the National Action Plans

a) on Trafficking in Persons (2019 to 2023) which establishes as pillars the Anti-trafficking “4Ps” (Prosecution, Prevention, Protection, Partnerships) and

b) on Gender Equality (2021 to 2025) which sets prevention and combatting of gender and domestic violence as one of its 4 pillars.

Moreover, Greece stands ready to enhance meaningful coordination and synergies with likeminded partners, at the international and regional levels, in order to accelerate progress on combatting conflict-related sexual violence. Being a candidate UN Security Council non-permanent member for 2025 to 2026, if elected, Greece intends to keep issues related to Women, Peace and Security as well as to Children and Armed Conflict high on the agenda of the Council.

Iceland

Iceland commits to:

-          Strengthening the global response, including through its collaboration and contribution to the work of UNFPA, the OSCE, UN Women, and continue implementing Iceland‘s commitments as co-leader of the Gender-Based Violence Action Coalition in the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) of UN Women.

-          Preventing CRSV by continuing the mainstreaming of gender equality and women‘s empowerment in all its development cooperation. Iceland will continue training international fellows from developing countries, including fragile states, through the GRÓ Center on Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (GEST). Iceland will also make special efforts to engage men and boys in the quest for gender equality and GBV prevention, in cooperation with UN Women. Iceland has provided an international tool kit for this purpose.

- Strengthening justice for CRSV, including through its contribution to the ICC and the ICC Trust Fund for Victims.

Ireland

Ireland will maintain its strong support for holistic and survivor-centred approaches to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).

This includes promoting access to, and providing funding for, comprehensive health services, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, for women and girl victims and survivors, and other protection needs. We will enhance support to grassroots organisations, especially women’s rights and women-led organisations, to monitor, prevent and report on SGBV.

We will continue our work in enhancing the prevention of, and response to, CRSV within existing international political and legal frameworks, including full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, promoting compliance with relevant obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and all subsequent resolutions on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

We will enhance WPS Agenda implementation efforts domestically and internationally, including through our third National Action Plan, the WPS-Humanitarian Action Compact, and at the UN, building on progress mainstreaming the Agenda while co-chair of the Security Council’s Informal Expert Group on WPS. We will support efforts to ensure prevention, monitoring and reporting of SGBV, including CRSV, on a national basis, with partners and through the EU, including its Gender Action Plan III and Action Plan on WPS.

We will promote efforts to end impunity, ensure accountability, and to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice, including through the International Criminal Court.

Japan

Japan commits to:

Ending impunity by establishing the rule of law by providing support to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Office of SRSG-SVC and its Teams of Expert and projects of UN Action.

Preventing gender-based violence including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) by strengthening women’s empowerment and promoting gender equality through UN Women, UNFPA, JICA and other international organizations.

Providing various support for those currently suffering from conflict-related sexual violence through Global Fund for Survivors of CRSV (GSF), ICC’s Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) as well as other international assistance.

Japan will work with the international community to further advance PSVI and WPS agenda.

This is confirmed by Prime Minister Kishida Fumio as the HeForShe Champion.

Jordan

Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Conference, PSVI, 28 to 29 November 2022

• COVID-19 has indeed increased the cases of violence against women and girls, especially those in conflict. It is our obligation to improve the monitoring and reporting mechanism, create safe spaces for the victims, enhance accountability, share best practices and integrate sexual violence prevention in peacekeeping missions.

• National Action Plans are critical tool in advancing national responses. Through our NAP and our National Women Strategy 2020 to 2025 we reaffirm our commitment to achieving meaningful participation of women in the security sector and in peacekeeping operations, in preventing radicalization and violent extremism as well as national and regional peacebuilding, also while ensuring the availability of gender sensitive humanitarian services including psychological, social, legal and medical services. In addition, these Plans call for fostering a community culture that recognizes gender needs and the importance of gender equality and the role of women and young women in peace and security.

• Host to a large number of Palestinian and Syrian refugees, we have also included the most vulnerable in our Action Plan.

• Supporting civil society organizations, especially women’s organizations operating in conflict regions is pivotal, for they have extensive knowledge and expertise needed to build sustainable peace.

• It is our duty to reinvigorate our efforts for a comprehensive and integrated approach to peace and security, placing support for survivors of sexual violence at the heart of our policies. A sustainable flow of core financial support is essential, so that a decade from now we meet, here again, with our goals attained, drawing a brighter, safer and sustainable future to all women and girls.

Kenya

Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Conference 28th to 29th November, United Kingdom.

Government of Kenya Commitment under the Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) Political Declaration.

The Government of Kenya is committed to investing in gender equality and women’s empowerment to tackle the root causes of violence against women and girls. Over the years, the Government has made efforts to provide adequate public resources to implement existing laws and policies to end violence against women. This will continue based on in line with Constitution of Kenya and medium-term plan four of the Kenya Vision 2030 and Africa 2063 agenda.

The Government of Kenya is committed to focusing on survivor-based approached programming in consultation with survivors, informed by survivors and pledges to continue advocating for the protection of women and girls against gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict situations with the implementation of the 2nd Kenya National Action Plan on “Women, Peace, and Security”.

Further, the Kenya Government recognizes the need to strengthen multisectoral coordination to respond to sexual violence, to prioritize survivor centered approach to ensure that survivors are not re-victimized by strengthening the referral pathway.

Reaffirms the 12 commitments on Generation, Equality on continued efforts to collect, analyze, and regularly disseminate national data on the prevalence of violence against women and girls, its causes, and consequences to inform response. Place women and girls at the center and call for the eradication of violence against women and girls, including through the development of an emergency response plan.

Kenya intends to maintain and strengthen its efforts to prevent and combat domestic violence by carrying out national awareness–raising campaigns to stop domestic violence, promptly responding to reports on violence coming through government established hotlines, providing survivors with shelter facilities, and ensuring the safety of whistleblowers, among other measures.

Kosovo

Republic of Kosovo recognizes the special legal status of the victims of the sexual violence during the war.

It is important to consider that despite the NGOs, the strengthening of the Governmental Commission for recognition of the status of the victims of the sexual violence during the war in Kosovo is also supported.

We remain committed to review and enhance our legal and institutional mechanisms to protect the rights and position of the survivors of the sexual assault during the war and combat impunity for the perpetrators.

In addition to the existing legal mechanisms, the Republic of Kosovo pledges its commitment to support victims of the sexual violence, by allocating the necessary funds to NGOs and other stakeholders who provide assistance to the victims of the sexual violence during the war.

With the view of adopting a more comprehensive approach to the status of the victims of the sexual violence during the war, we will further diversify the support for the victims of the sexual violence and cooperate with other countries and international organizations.

Republic of Kosovo is highly committed to support NGOs and other stakeholders, not only financially, and aids children born of conflict-related sexual violence. We believe that the standards and actions set by the Murad Code to respect and support survivors’ rights, would be an added value to the work of Kosovo institutions. Therefore, we commit to endorse the Murad Code.

The Republic of Kosovo is committed to engage actively at the global stage, to fight impunity and enhance support for the victims of the sexual violence during the war.

Republic of Kosovo commits to create equal opportunities for women and girls from all backgrounds. In this line, we commit to initiate the necessary proceedings to harmonize all laws with the provisions of the Law on Gender Equality. This initiative will include a legal review to identify all laws that need to be harmonized, preparation of an action plan to support the initiative and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

Latvia

Latvia commits to:

Strengthening the global response. We will strongly support the advancement and implementation of the UNSC Resolution on Women, Peace and Security nationally and internationally.

Preventing CRSV. Latvia will continue implementing its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security to raise awareness of gender equality and elimination of gender-based violence. We will provide support to Ukraine in the re-evaluation and actualisation of its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in the context of war.

Strengthening justice for CRSV, including by working on the creation of unified guidelines in the field of gender equality and the protection of victims in armed conflicts, especially within the framework of the UN.

Supporting survivors and children born as a result of CRSV. Latvia will provide psychological, legal and practical support to women and girls – victims of war crimes – and their family members by establishing a rehabilitation centre in Ukraine.

Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein commits itself to speak out and systematically condemn CRSV and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and to take concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when these acts amount to crimes under international law. Liechtenstein also commits itself to address harmful gender stereotypes underlying CRSV/SGBV by raising awareness for CRSV or SGBV against marginalized and vulnerable populations, including men and boys.

Liechtenstein commits itself to politically and financially support the All Survivors Project, also in supporting it to explore how existing guidance and good practice on responses for survivors of sexual violence can be adapted to be used in situations of armed conflict/humanitarian emergencies in a gender competent manner.

Liechtenstein commits itself to the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, for which conflict situations pose a particular risk, and engages all relevant stakeholders in the fight against illicit financial flows stemming from human trafficking, including sexual slavery.

Liechtenstein is a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and commits to continue promoting universal adherence to the Statute and its amendments. Liechtenstein also commits to continue its cooperation with the International Criminal Court as well as its financial support for the Trust Fund for Victims.

Lithuania

The Republic of Lithuania commits to:

Strengthening the global response, including by working with partners at the United Nations, governments, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations to defend the rights of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, and to support their access to justice and services.

Preventing and responding to CRSV. We will continue to reform policy and implement national programmes to tackle the harmful gender norms that drive sexual violence and human trafficking. We will put sustainable efforts to prevent and respond to CRSV by addressing gender inequality and ensuring the full realisation of women and girls’ civil, political, economic and social rights, including through their full, equal and meaningful participation in peace and political processes. We will raise awareness about gender-based violence in war zones and provide help to victims of sexual violence through international campaign ‘Rape is a war crime’. We will promote training on tackling CRSV and share information on the online training course ‘Sexual violence related to conflict: legal regulation and practice’ with stakeholders. We will tackle stigma and employ a survivor-centred approach that promotes safety, confidentiality, non-discrimination and respect for the choices of survivors.

Strengthening justice for CRSV, including by building the capacity of General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania to conduct survivor-centred investigations and/or prosecutions of CRSV cases. We will cooperate to support international and Ukrainian accountability mechanisms in order to ensure justice for victims of sexual and gender-based violence. We will continue seeking ways of ending conflict-related sexual violence, hold those responsible to account, and shatter the existing culture of impunity. We will encourage the international community to join efforts in order to achieve full accountability of Russia for violations of international law and international humanitarian law, including by the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. We will also champion the Murad Code to organisations gathering information from survivors, and will review how the Code can strengthen practice within our government’s policies, programmes and operations.

Supporting survivors and children born as a result of CRSV. We will support children-survivors of CRSV by providing assistance and services through the Support Centre for Sexually Abused Children (the Lithuanian Barnahus). We will commit to allocating resources and implement targeted initiatives to address the needs of the most marginalised children and women, including children born of conflict-related sexual violence and survivors who give birth to them and to embedding child rights and wellbeing risk assessments into programmatic funding and design decisions under the Platform for Action.

Luxembourg

Prevention, accountability and support for the survivors must be the pillars of our joint and coordinated action to combat sexual violence in conflict in a survivor-centred approach. Preventing sexual violence in conflict also means addressing the structural causes that underlie it, which include broader gender inequality, stereotypes and social norms leading to the stigmatisation of victims and survivors, and intersectional discrimination.

Through its feminist foreign policy, the Luxembourg government applies a multi-dimensional approach to the fight against sexual and gender-based violence, promoting gender equality and women’s and girls’ human rights, be they civil, political, socio-economic or sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as women’s and girls’ empowerment.

Luxembourg seeks to engage effectively with stakeholders to prevent sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and preclude its devastating effects. In that sense, Luxembourg supports a number of projects:

• Contribution to the large-scale project of Dr Denis Mukwege’s Panzi hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo to provide holistic support for the treatment of rape victims, including facilitating their access to justice (2021 to 2024: 5 million EUR).
• Financial contribution to the work of the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), in particular for its transitional justice programs (May 2021 to April 2023: 1.1 million EUR).
• Support to the joint UNFPA-UNICEF program on the elimination of female genital mutilation and cutting in 17 African countries (2022 to 2025: 2.8 million EUR).
• Support to the new phase of the UNFPA ‘Illimin’ flagship initiative in Niger, where a particular attention will be placed on male engagement to encourage greater global community change related to SRHR, gender and respect for the rights of young girls (2022 to 2025/6: 7 million EUR).
• In Senegal, funding of the project ‘VIMOS’ that is implemented by civil society actors and focusses on the prevention of sexual violence and female genital mutilation of young women and on the development and support for the care of victims (2022 to 2025: 500,000 EUR).
• Planned additional contribution to the ICRC’s Special Appeal to respond to sexual violence in armed conflicts and other violence and in detention in order to support the efforts of the ICRC to prevent and combat sexual violence (2022: 500,000 EUR).
• Support, in collaboration with Yazda Global Organisation, to a project in Iraq, focusing on political case management and advocacy services for survivors of ISIS atrocities (2022: 164,000 EUR).

Malta

Malta applauds the United Kingdom for organising this important follow-up Conference in order to ensure that Conflict-Related Sexual Violence not only remains high on our agenda, but that tangible change takes place on the ground. Such engagement also ties in with the Women, Peace and Security agenda, which is a priority for Malta during our term on the UN Security Council as from January 2023.

Malta will continue with the implementation of its National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, namely through the prevention of all forms of violence, including gender-based violence and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and the promotion of the participation and representation of women at all levels in decision-making, including in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

We will continue to raise awareness to and advocate against conflict-related sexual violence at multilateral fora such as the Human Rights Council and the UNGA Third Committee and will continue to participate in events which put a spotlight on this important issue, such as events marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict both locally and abroad together with other stakeholders.

Malta has become an increasingly multicultural country in which a growing number of women from conflict and conflict affected areas reside. In this context, we will continue to ensure that the specific needs of women who have experienced conflict are taken into account in the services provided, in order to support their recovery from trauma.

Malta will continue denouncing acts of conflict-related sexual violence, and calling for perpetrators to be held accountable, brought to justice, and face consequences, with the aim of also acting as a deterrent to would-be perpetrators.

Mexico

Commitments under the Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) Political Declaration, in particular the priority 2 to promote Effective Laws, Policies & Practices on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence:

Mexico commits to:

1.- Make an analysis of the Murad Code to consider its objectives and scope in order to incorporate it in its national peacekeeping training programs.

2.- Organize a side event in the UN General Assembly to make visible the importance of addressing the right to identity of children affected by sexual violence in the context of armed conflict.

Netherlands

The Netherlands is deeply disturbed by the increase of conflicts worldwide, the atrocities committed during war and conflict, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war as well as the further deprivation of the rights of women and girls, in all their diversity, in situations of conflict and fragility. We thus support the international agenda on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and in this light we endorse the political declaration as outcome document of the PSVI Conference 2022. We specifically commend the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

We attach great importance to the implementation of existing structures and mechanisms as well as a holistic focus on the survivor-centered approach. This explicitly includes the promotion and fulfilment of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS).

Our commitment to this agenda is outlined in the IV Dutch NAP1325 as well as through the EU Gender Action Plan III; the Netherlands invests in the prevention of CRSV and in protection through different policy areas. We fight impunity by investing in people-centered justice and accountability for victims and survivors, whereby survivors’ needs are prioritized.

The Netherlands invests in protection and response by supporting civil society and UN agencies who work on gender, SGBV, SRHR and MHPSS, as well as through core funding of humanitarian efforts. We show our commitment to prevention by investing in training on gender and protection in peacekeeping missions and by addressing root causes of gender inequality, including through the involvement of men and boys. In doing this, we highlight the importance of civil society and particularly women-led and women’s rights organisations, which are the central pillar in the NL SDG5 Fund. In light of our Feminist Foreign Policy we are exploring where we can step up in strengthening our efforts, in both resources and focus.

We thank the UK for all its endeavours in strengthening collaboration and coordination in this area and we look forward to continuing the conversation during, and after the PSVI conference.

Niger

The violation of women’s fundamental rights in conflicts is contrary to the principles of human rights.

The Sahel is facing a situation of insecurity caused by terrorist groups resulting in the vulnerability of women.

Governments have made commitments to protect the rights of women and girls especially in times of conflict.

To meet these commitments, Niger has to its credit:

• The National Strategy for the Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence
• The Regional Multifunctional Centers for the Care of Victims of Gender-Based Violence (CMPC/VBG)
• The establishment of the G5 Sahel Women’s Platform
• The creation of a permanent secretariat in charge of the implementation of the 2020 to 2024 national action plan of the United Nations Women, Peace and Security Agenda and the Regional Antennas.

Niger commits to:

Integrate SGBV in the National Strategy to fight GBV – Strengthen the prevention and protection mechanism for people at risk of SGBV

Put an end to impunity for SGBV

Develop accessible strategies and mechanisms for reporting SGBV

Design a strategy for women’s participation in peacebuilding and economic development actions; Mobilize resources to implement strategies and programs.

Nigeria

Nigeria commits to:

Strengthening the global response, including by working with partners at International, Regional, Sub-Regional and Nations to implement policies and programmes to reduce Conflict Related Sexual Violence. We will strengthen the existing National Mechanisms on CRSV and appoint a Special Envoy on CRSV to lead our response. We will meet our commitments to the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies.

Preventing CRSV. We will continue to review and reform policy in programmes to tackle the harmful gender norms that drive sexual violence. We will collaborate with our partners to deliver training to military/law enforcement organisations and Civil Society Organizations and Social Workers on tackling CRSV. We will support peacebuilding initiatives to help prevent conflict.

Strengthening justice for CRSV, including by building the capacity of the Police, Court Assessors, the Judiciary, Social Workers, Health Workers and other Service Providers to conduct survivor-centred investigations and/or prosecutions of CRSV cases. We will support the Police, Judiciary and other relevant Service Providers to enable survivors to pursue broader means of justice and accountability, for example, truth and reconciliation processes or memorialisation. We will also champion the Murad Code to organisations gathering information from survivors and will review how the Code can strengthen practice within our government’s policies, programmes and operations.

Supporting survivors and children born as a result of CRSV. We will coordinate and collaborate in programmes supporting survivors of gender-based violence, including CRSV. We will work with faith leaders to implement the Declaration of Humanity. We will sign the Call to Action to ensure the Rights and Wellbeing of Children Born of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Republic of Korea

The Republic of Korea commits to:

Increasing contributions to the global response to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), by working with other countries and relevant organizations to prevent and respond to CRSV. We will actively advocate and participate in international efforts to advance the ‘Women, Peace, and Security’ (WPS) agenda, including CRSV, by providing both financial and political support. We will continue to call global attention to CRSV by hosting international conferences under the “Action with Women and Peace” initiative, launched by Korea in 2018. We will hold the 4th International Conference “Action with Women and Peace” in December 2022 to discuss the Asian approach to WPS, as well as the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. We will look for ways to create synergies with other related initiatives, including PSVI.

Enhancing efforts to mitigate gender-based violence (GBV) risks and improve access to GBV-related services. In line with the “Action on Women and Peace” initiative, we will look to conflict-affected regions where women and girls, and other at-risk groups are most vulnerable to GBV. We will continue to cooperate with international organizations to develop humanitarian assistance projects specifically designed for this purpose, such as our joint project with UNFPA in Sudan. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will also continue efforts to work with NGOs to support the recovery and capacity-building of women and girls, such as income generating activities and psychological support. KOICA projects are being implemented in Uganda and Bangladesh.

Rwanda

For the past 28 years, the Government of Rwanda has embarked on creating an equitable and inclusive society without discrimination of any kind through enactment of gender sensitive laws and policies; development of strategies and programs as well as ratification and domestication of key instruments at different levels to ensure zero tolerance to GBV and provision of holistic support to the victims. In retrospective to the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, Rwanda has advocated for sexual violence crimes committed against women and girls to be considered as a crime of genocide during ICTR trials and used the experience in elaborating law punishing the perpetrators.

To keep the momentum, Rwanda will continue:

• To strategically engage key partners in effective implementation of the UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan and in increasing women’s participation in peace keeping and peacebuilding processes

• To invest in capacity building and knowledge sharing through academic programs, short-courses and trainings in the areas of Peace and Conflict studies; Security studies as well as and Genocide studies and Prevention with a key component of CRSV offered to members of security organs both at regional and continental level wih the purpose to ensure tailored actions in prevention, response and protection of women and children during conficts situations

• To protect and stand with victims of GBV, prevent stigma and enable more access to holistic, meaningful and timely services through expanding and strengthening the services of Isange One Stop Center and ensuring that services are extended to the refugees and displaced people from conflicts regions

• To invest considerably in implementing and cascading the positive outcomes of men Engage and gender transformative strategies aiming to transform harmful negative masculinity leading to violence against women and girls in any setting

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s civil war officially ended in 2002 but its bitter legacy of Conflict Related Sexual Violence is still being grappled with. Many women were raped, and those heinous acts resulted to pregnancies and in some cases, children, who have not led normal lives.

This notwithstanding, the Government of Sierra Leone is making progress in the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations though its gender responsive legislations, policies and institutional mechanisms in support of efforts to combat CRSV.

Sierra Leone commits to the following in relation to the global resolve towards ending Conflict Related Sexual Violence:

• We will continue to take action in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations.

• We will set up a database of survivors of CRSV and child victims

• We will design programs to respond to the psychosocial needs of survivors and children born out of such acts.

• We will continue strengthening our laws to eliminate inequality and stigma.

• We will continue to strengthen our democratic institutions to mitigate the causes of conflicts.

• We will develop survivor centered schemes to respond to their needs.

• We will explore best practices for a comprehensive response for children born to survivors of CRSV.

Sierra Leone reiterates its commitment to preventing and responding to survivors of CRSV.

Slovenia

Slovenia commits to:

Strengthening the global response:

We will address CRSV as well as the rights and wellbeing of children born of CRSV at the appropriate UN forums and support the UN activities in this area.

We will address CRSV also in the new foreign policy strategic approach on gender equality.

We will provide support to victims and survivors of CRSV through humanitarian assistance and development aid.

Preventing CRSV:

We will provide relevant information about human rights issues connected to CRSV to the Peace Operations Training Centre in Slovenia to inform their training activities for military, police, and civilian personnel that can be deployed to peacekeeping operations and missions.

Strengthening justice for CRSV:

Slovenia strongly promotes access to justice for victims of sexual and gender-based violence by fostering an environment, in which victims can easily report incidents; this includes tools such as victim’s services, testimonial support, the possibility of publication bans, victim and witness protection and confidentiality within the national and international framework.

We will translate the Murad Code into Slovenian language and disseminate pertinent information about the Murad Code to all relevant national institutions.

Supporting survivors and children born as a result of CRSV:

Slovenia will continue to provide regular financial support to the Trust Fund for Victims of the International Criminal Court with the purpose of assisting the most vulnerable victims of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression to return to a dignified and contributory life within their communities.

Spain

Spain is firmly committed to the prevention of sexual-violence in conflicts, as reflected in the Spanish Strategy on Humanitarian Action, the Guide on Spain´s Feminist Foreign Policy and the Strategy on Humanitarian Diplomacy to be adopted in the next few weeks.

Spain’s International Cooperation has a strong focus on the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women, a deterring factor of sexual violence in conflict and non-conflict scenarios. Together with UN Women, UNFPA, UNHCR, IMO and UNICEF, as well as local NGOs and authorities, we work in gender violence prevention and response projects in South and Central America, the Middle East or Ukraine. In Africa, Spain and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) of the African Union have developed since 2007 a benchmark Fund of 20 million euros for gender empowerment in Africa, which includes sexual violence prevention and protection.

Spain supports ICRC’s Special Appeal on Sexual Violence since 2017. We will reinforce our support to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, and next year we will make a contribution to the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

We will keep providing specific gender training to our own personnel working in humanitarian action and development. In collaboration with the Netherlands, we will continue organizing a specific course for gender advisers deployed in Peace Operations, based on the integrated approach of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

Spain follows a survivor-centered approach to facilitate the right to justice and to reparation for victims, promoting the fulfilment of the International Protocol on Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict and the UN Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Situations of Armed Conflict. We will increase our contribution to the International Criminal Court Trust Fund for Victims.

South Sudan

Republic of South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

PSVI Conference: a Political Statement on Conflict Related Sexual Violence, 28 to 29 November 2022

Cognizant of the fact that conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) is a serious crime that affects not only victims, but can have a lasting harmful impact on the families and communities of victims and that it is a violation of human rights.

Acknowledging that conflict related sexual violence happened in South Sudan, and regretful of the suffering caused by this unacceptable practice to the victims, families and communities.

Determined to prevent CRSV, the Republic of South Sudan committed to and signed declarations with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) of the United Nations and established a committee to develop a National Action Plan to that effect.

Pursuant to the implementation of the UNSC Resolution 2467 (2019) and our commitment under the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (2011) as amended to lay the foundation of a unified peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality, and respect for human rights and the rule of law. We have taken steps to end impunity and have established mobile military courts to persecute perpetrators.

The Republic of South Sudan is in the process of developing a white paper on Defence and Security. Security transformation and reform is the driver in the process of ending CRSV and is a priority for our security sector agencies.

Also for monitoring and guidance from the institution of the Presidency, H.E the President of the Republic of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit has made a personal commitment to end the CRSV in the Country by appointed an official within has office to implement the policy.

The Republic of South Sudan is grateful for having been invited to the PSVI international Conference held in London and takes this opportunity to renew its commitments to eliminate CRSV and pledges to cooperate and coordinate with the office of the SRSG and other partners towards the prevention of CRSV.

Switzerland

Conflict-related sexual violence is rooted in gender inequality and occurs with other forms of gender-based violence (GBV). Gender equality and all aspects of Sustainable Development Goal 5 are an important objective of Switzerland’s International Cooperation Strategy; ending GBV is a priority of humanitarian protection.

Switzerland has a long track record of working on GBV, such as with its flagship community-based psychosocial programme in the Great Lakes Region. It has tripled its funding for GBV prevention and response in humanitarian contexts over the last four years. Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to the Compact on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action and the Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies (CtA) to contribute CHF 60 million (2021 to 2025). Together with other CtA members, Switzerland will push the humanitarian system to prioritise GBV. It will ensure that survivor networks and local women-led organisations will have the voice and funding to shape GBV prevention and response.

Switzerland contributes to strengthening justice for conflict-related sexual violence survivors through its partnership with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and other gender justice initiatives. Through its new partnership with the Global Survivors Fund, Switzerland will contribute CHF 675’000 to the advocacy work for survivor-centred reparations, with a focus on children born of conflict-related sexual violence. Furthermore, Switzerland will encourage its partners in the human rights and GBV space to engage with the Murad Code.

Switzerland has long been a strong supporter of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and will, as an elected member of the UN Security Council from 2023, advocate for a systematic implementation of this agenda across the UN Security Council’s work.

Timor Leste

Mindful of the fact that conflict-related sexual violence is a serious threat to international peace and security, and destroys lives and communities and that these acts of conflict-related sexual violence are prohibited under international criminal law, international human rights law and international humanitarian law;

In compliance with the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict at the UN General Assembly in 2013 by its 156 supporting member states;

Acknowledging that after 10 years of collective action, it is clear that progress must be accelerated to strengthen prevention, response, justice and accountability and most importantly support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence;

Timor-Leste, therefore, stands ready to support, within its own capacity, this global response to end conflict-related sexual violence.

Consequently, in compliance with the principles of international criminal law, international human rights law and international humanitarian law, Timor-Leste stands ready to act collectively:

1. To strengthen its partnership with international community to support the global response to conflict-related sexual violence
2. To use the existing national mechanisms to prevent conflict-related sexual violence from occurring through addressing its drivers and the root causes and structural causes such as gender inequality and harmful social norms
3. To strengthen its national justice systems to assist all those affected by conflict-related sexual violence and hold perpetrators to account, including as a means of prevention
4. To provide a holistic and meaningful support to victims and survivors, communities and children born as a result of conflict-related sexual violence, including by tackling stigma

Ukraine

Ukraine commits to:

• advancing Women, Peace, and Security agenda through updating the Ukrainian National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in light of the war to make it more instrumental in view of emerging security challenges, including conflict-related sexual violence, and support its implementation.

• promoting the implementation of the Framework of Cooperation between the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations on the prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence, enhancing partnership through joint actions and programmes to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence, supporting and reinforcing Ukrainian national mechanisms and institutions in cooperation with non-government and international partners, and developing Survivors of War Support Centres in Ukraine and others countries to ensure the strengthening survivor-centered responses.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates renews its commitment and remains dedicated to strengthening the global response to conflict-related sexual violence. It will continue to be a member of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict.

The United Arab Emirates will continue to promote gender-responsive security and defence sectors, which contribute to the prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence. As part of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak WPS Training initiative, the United Arab Emirates has trained over 500 women cadets from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East in partnership with UN Women. They contribute to more gender-responsive approaches in their domestic deployments. The United Arab Emirates commits to further building the women cadets’ capacity, including how to address sexual violence in conflict.

Finally, the United Arab Emirates reiterates its strong and long-standing commitment to the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda – not only as an elected member of the UN Security Council for 2022 to 2023 but through the implementation of its National Action Plan launched in 2021 and also as part of its foreign assistance policy. This includes keeping women and girls’ protection, inclusion, and participation at the forefront of our discussions.

The United Kingdom

The UK commits to:

Strengthening the global response. We will continue to show leadership and resolve in tackling CRSV, as set out in our PSVI Strategy, which has up to £12.5 million of dedicated funding, and our WPS National Action Plan. We will work with key partners to ensure momentum following the PSVI Conference. We will drive further action on the Crimes Against Humanity (CAH) Convention.

Preventing gender-based violence (GBV), including CRSV. We have committed £67.5 million to the What Works to Prevent Violence programme. We will seek to use UN and UK sanctions to deter CRSV perpetrators. We will deliver our commitments under the Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies.

Helping survivors to access justice. We will deliver a new initiative – A.C.T for Survivors – promoting best practice and building capacity in national authorities in CRSV-affected states. In Ukraine, we will work with the Ukrainian Government to deliver justice for international crimes committed by Russian forces, including sexual violence, including through the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group. We will champion the Murad Code and review how it can strengthen UK Government practice.

Supporting survivors to access quality support. We will contribute up to £5.15 million to the Global Survivors Fund. We will build support for the Call to Action to Ensure the Rights and Wellbeing of Children Born of Sexual Violence in Conflict and deliver commitments under the Platform for Action. We will continue investing in GBV response services, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services.

United States of America

The United States is committed to preventing and responding to all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), through policy, programming, and partnership across the U.S. government and international community.

We commit to incorporating a gender perspective across U.S. foreign policy, including through implementation of the U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality; U.S. Strategy on Women, Peace, and Security; U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability; U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally; and U.S. Strategy to Anticipate, Prevent and Respond to Atrocities. We commit to refining and expanding atrocity prevention toolkits to incorporate CRSV-specific early warning, prevention, and accountability.

We commit to fully exercising existing authorities to promote justice and accountability for acts of CRSV, including through U.S. economic sanctions and visa restrictions; devoting the necessary resources for reporting on CRSV incidents and training on GBV issues; and broadening engagement with partners to encourage establishment and use of their own tools to promote justice and accountability. We will continue to support the work of the Office of the UN Special Representative to the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, including an additional $400,000 alongside our annual contribution.

Through a $10 million investment, we intend to support civil society efforts to investigate and document CRSV in line with the Murad Code in the pursuit of truth and justice for victims and survivors, and accountability for crimes involving violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law. We commit to an additional $2 million for survivor-centered, trauma-informed approaches to fostering survivor resilience during and after conflict.

We intend to expand our flagship Safe from the Start initiative that ensures GBV prevention and response is prioritized, integrated, and coordinated across humanitarian responses from the outset of crises. We intend to expand programs dedicated to ensuring survivors of extreme forms of GBV have access to services, protection, and justice through the Voices Against Violence Initiative, which would invest another $6 million in FY22.

We commit to working with partners to find ways to close the protection gap for children born of CRSV, including in seeking to address stigma and marginalization.