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February 2010
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 9 February 2010
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New UN envoy to coordinate efforts to end sexual violence in conflict

09/02/2010

The newly appointed UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict, Margot Wallstrőm says she has a lot to accomplish during her two-year mandate.

Secretary-General with Margot Wallstrőm

Secretary-General with Margot Wallstrőm

"I will, of course, have to work to find the ways to end impunity, but also at the same time see how we can create a political ownership of this issue, to do advocacy and proper communication on this issue and make sure that there is a good debate and discussion and that we have good leadership on these issues."

Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, Ms. Wallstrőm said she will visit hotspots of sexual violence in wartime, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She will also work with UN peacekeeping missions to enforce the zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct of troops.

Margot Wallstrőm, a Swedish politician and Vice-President of the European Commission, was appointed last week by the UN Secretary-General as his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

The mandate was established by the Security Council last October in a resolution on the Immediate and Complete Cessation of Acts of Sexual Violence in Situations of Armed Conflict.

Bissera Kostova, United Nations.

(duration: 1'12")

Sound bites

Margot Wallstrőm Cut

"I will, of course, have to work to find the ways to end impunity, but also at the same time see how we can create a political ownership of this issue, to do advocacy and proper communication on this issue and make sure that there is a good debate and discussion and that we have good leadership on these issues."
Duration: 00:00:23

Margot Wallstrőm Cut

"There is already a 'zero tolerance' policy established, and that, of course has to be enforced, because this is not acceptable and it has to be the message from the UN system has to be very clear and this will otherwise affect the credibility of our peacekeeping operations, as well."
Duration: 00:00:18

Margot Wallstrőm Cut

"To anchor this politically, to create a political ownership of this issue, is of course, the main aim of this, to make sure that we can fight this crime more effectively. I will try to coordinate also better in the UN system, so that we act in a coherent way and more forcefully."
Duration: 00:00:22

Margot Wallstrőm Cut

"We will have to prioritize very clearly, also geographically. We will not be able to visit all these places in a couple of years, we will not be able to do everything. We will have to look at it very strategically and we will also have to create some success stories, if you ask me. So, to work also with governments that will want to help us to find the methods that are really effective. But it is also obvious where the hotspots are - where everybody expects us to be present and to do as much as we can, and of course, the DRC is the obvious example."
Duration: 00:00:38

Margot Wallstrőm Cut

"Sexual violence against women is not cultural, it's criminal and it's not a women's issue, it's a human rights issue. It's for both men and women to make sure that women have the right to their bodies, and I think that this will also affect the way we look at security."
Duration: 00:00:18

Asha-Rose Migiro Cut

"Ending sexual violence in conflict situations remains a top priority for the Secretary-General, who has called for increased action by the international community to prevent violence, to protect individuals, to punish perpetrators and provide redress to victims."
Duration: 00:00:18