The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Margot Wallstrom in her maiden Press Briefing on her arrival in Sierra Leone has warned all in the country that “Gender based violence should be treated with the utmost seriousness it deserves” adding that we should “put the past behind and look to what the future holds”.
Ms. Wallstrom made the remark in compliment of the gains the country has acquired so far in dealing with the prevailing issues on sexual and gender-based violence since the end of the protracted civil war.
Looking smart and dressed in a grey outfit at UN’s Hotel Cabenda conference room, Wallstrom said that her visit to Sierra Leone is part of her mandate in looking at post- conflict societies, particularly countries that have experienced civil wars amidst alarming cases of sexual and gender-based violence during those wars.
The Swedish national, who has spent part of her life agitating for the rights and needs of women, disclosed that she has held consultation with the government and concerned institutions, looking at what they have done so far in ensuring the dignity of women who have been victims of male chauvinism.
“Gender based violence should be treated with the utmost seriousness it deserves” she said, urging women to play active role in preventing sexual based violence as it is happening in Rwanda, Kenya etc., more especially as the country approaches general elections.
In a very concrete statement, the SRSG explained that the United Nations is quite attentive on issues dealing with gender based violence as enshrined in Resolutions 1325 and 1820, and recently 1888 and 1960 respectively.
Madam Wallstrom reiterated that sexual violence during conflict is a scourge affecting millions, of which girls are also affected “it is often a conscious strategy deployed by armed groups to humiliate opponents, destroy individuals and the very fabric of society” she asserted.
She pointed out that bearing in mind the brutality women folks faced in the eleven year conflict, her office, inter-alia, sought to redress and claim women’s rights, increase recognition of rape as a tactic and consequence of war through awareness-raising activities at international and country levels through sustaining media attention.
With her experience in dealing with issues pertaining to women emancipation, Wallstrom viewed that sexual violence in conflict is under-reported and under-addressed; stigmas associated with rape prevent survivors from coming forward to report these crimes, and most unfortunately, many countries do not have laws that can be used to prosecute perpetrators and mechanisms that can protect survivors.
Ms. Wallstrom, an author and co-founder of outstanding women organizations, has served as Chair of the Inter-agency Network, UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, Minister in the Swedish Government, Environment Commissioner and Vice-President of the European Commission.
By Poindexter Sama