Bride runs away at midnight because of 'sexual violence'

Vietnam, UK share experience in sexual violence prevention in peacekeeping 

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese mission to the United Nations (UN), speaks at the dialogue.

The ambassador made the affirmation at a high-level open dialogue on sexual violence in conflicts held by the UN Security Council in New York on April 23.

Quy expressed his concern over continued sexual violence in conflicts and their adverse impacts like discrimination against victims as well as children born out of sexual violence in conflict.

Apart from stepping up the prevention of conflicts, which have been seen as the root cause of the problem, the international community needs to take prompt actions and urgent solutions to ease the situation, he suggested.

He applauded the progress in urging concerned parties to make concrete commitments to preventing and handling this issue.

Quy proposed that priorities should be given to improving public awareness, eliminating social discrimination and prejudice against the victims, and enhancing cooperation between relevant sides to improve the efficiency of support for the victims, while highlighting the main role played by countries in this regard.

The diplomat also emphasized that it is necessary to promote gender equality and women’s role.

He stressed Vietnam’s stance on backing women’s participation in peace progresses and their role in developing the culture of peace, spreading humanitarian values, building peace and promoting sustainable development.

The dialogue was chaired by Heiko Maas, Foreign Minister of Germany which is holding the UN Security Council’s rotating presidency in April.

Representatives of more than 80 member countries of the council strongly condemned the use of sexual violence as a war and terror weapon, and committed and called for greater medical, psychological and legal support to the victims.

They shared measures and experience in raising public awareness, building early warning index, training UN peace-keeping forces in sexual violence combat, promoting gender equality and providing post-conflict support to women.

In his remarks, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres stressed that justice and assistance are the two essential factors in the fight against sexual violence in conflicts.

Despites joint efforts, these acts are still going on, causing serious consequences to women and girls, worsening conflicts and extinguishing peace prospects, he pointed out.

The situation requires a comprehensive approach, he said, emphasizing efforts to prevent these deeds, support the victims and improve the efficiency of law enforcement in investigation and legal proceedings.-VNA