China's permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong called for comprehensive measures to address sexual violence in conflicts at a Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Tuesday.
Speaking at an open debate the Security Council convened on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), Fu stressed that China strongly condemns and firmly opposes all forms of sexual violence against women and girls. He urged the international community to strengthen efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts and to combat sexual violence in conflicts, while adhering to the leading role of countries concerned, and supporting women's development and empowerment.
Fu noted that the ultimate goal of the CRSV agenda is not just to make the conflict free of sexual violence, but to free the world of war.
To achieve peace, disputes should be resolved peacefully through political means, with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter absolutely upheld, guided by a vision for common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, he underlined.
China maintains that the countries concerned bear primary responsibility for preventing and combating CRSV and protecting their women and children, Fu said, stressing that the international community should act on the basis of respecting the sovereignty and leading role of countries concerned, support these countries in strengthening security and judicial capacity-building, bringing perpetrators to justice, and delivering justice for victims. He added that relevant UN agencies should fulfill their respective mandates and enhance coordination.
Fu pointed out that the international community should also address CRSV from the perspectives of women's empowerment and sustainable development, striving to eliminate gender discrimination and inequality, alleviating the livelihood challenges and development gaps faced by women, and unlocking women's full potential.
As the host country of the Fourth World Conference on Women, China has long been an active advocate and steadfast doer in global women's undertakings, Fu underlined.
To date, China has sent more than 50,000 personnel to UN peacekeeping operations, among whom over 1,000 female peacekeepers have served with dedication in various roles, bringing hope of peace to communities in conflict areas, he noted.
"China hopes to support developing countries in advancing women's livelihoods and development, help them implement maternal and child health projects and happy campus projects, and cultivate female talent. We support the UN Women and other UN agencies in assisting women in developing countries, especially those in conflict zones, to effectively tackle poverty and underdevelopment and bridge the gender digital divide," Fu said.
Chinese envoy condemns all forms of sexual violence in conflicts
