Mona Juul: End rape as weapon of war

“Rape as a tactic of war victimises not only individuals and their families, but entire communities. It aggravates conflicts, undermines peace and jeopardises reconciliation.” That was the message from Norway’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mona Juul, at a policy forum in New York on how to combat sexual violence in conflict.

A women's shelter for victims of sexual abuse in Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: UN Photo/Marie Frechon

The policy forum was organised by Norway’s Permanent Mission to the UN in collaboration with the International Peace Institute (IPI) and UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict. The debate drew close to a hundred people, including UN delegates and officials, as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations.

The main speakers were Isumi Nakamitsu of UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Ian Martin of UN Department of Political Affairs.

In her introductory remarks, Ambassador Juul noted that the gradual recognition of rape as a weapon of war resulted in Security Council resolution 1820 last year. That resolution recognises conflict related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security and condemns its use as a tactic of warfare.

The Security Council is currently negotiating a follow up to resolution 1820, to be adopted later this month.

Read Ambassador Juul’s full remarks here.

To learn more visit Norway’s Mission to the UN.