UN mulling top official to fight sexual violence

UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Friday he was considering naming a top official to lead the fight against sexual violence and urged the General Assembly to create a dedicated institution for women's rights.

"Despite some progress over two decades, the deliberate targeting of civilians through acts of sexual violence continues on a widespread and systematic basis," Ban told the UN Security Council during a debate on "Women, Peace and Security."

The debate was called to discuss the implementation of a Security Council resolution adopted last year that elevated rape and sexual violence to the status of a war crime when perpetrated as part of a systematic attack.

Ban highlighted ongoing conflicts in Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Sudan as particular areas where rape is routinely used as part of warfare.

In the DRC alone more than 3,500 women have been raped since the start of the year, according to a UN report.

US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice also stressed the need to put the fight against sexual violence at the top of the UN agenda.

"Efforts to combat sexual violence must be placed squarely on the political agenda as well when countries are searching for lasting stability and peace," she said.

"The UN and its member states and future mediators should address sexual violence in today's peace processes and include them from the very start in future peace talks," she added.Both Ban and Rice suggested measures to tackle the issue in conflict zones, including beefing up the ranks of female peace mediators, and fully prosecuting perpetrators who often go unpunished. -AFP