UN Boss "ashamed" of atrocities committed against women

The United Nations chief has said he is "ashamed" of atrocities committed against women around the world including those carried out by UN peacekeepers.

Ban Ki-moon was speaking at a debate in the UN Security Council to mark the 16th anniversary of a key resolution on women, peace and security.

Security Council Resolution 1325 was adopted in October 2000 and reaffirms the important role women can play around the world in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. 

It also says they should play a prominent part in peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, the humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction efforts. 

Speaking in the Security Council on Tuesday, the UN Secretary-General said progress has been made on all those issues over the last 16 years, but that women still suffer most during conflicts.
 
"I am ashamed of the many atrocities that continue to be committed against women and girls, including by some of our own peacekeepers. I am angered by the continued political exclusion of women. Peace processes, humanitarian programs and peace-building plans ignore them and fail to meet their needs and protect their rights." 

According to the UN's gender agency, UN Women, there is a 35 per cent better chance that a peace agreement will last at least 15 years, when women are involved in the process. 


SOURCE: Daniel Dickinson, United Nations.