Addis Ababa, March 31, 2011 (Addis Ababa, ENA) - The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) at its 269th meeting on Wednesday was held an open session under the theme: “Women and children and other vulnerable groups in armed conflicts”.
According to the statement AU sent to ENA on the late Wednesday that Council took note of the statement made by the Commission on the status of implementation of the African Women’s Decade.
Council also took note of the Preliminary Report of the Panel of the Wise on the theme: “Mitigating Vulnerabilities of Women and Children in Armed Conflicts”, whose final version will be submitted to the Assembly in January 2012, presented by two of its members, Mme Mary-Chinery-Hesse and Mme Marie-Madeleine Ngoy-Kalala.
Council expressed concern at the situation of women and children in conflict situations and post-conflict contexts, stressing the need to fully investigate cases of crimes committed against women and children, to launch preventive campaigns specifically aimed at the armed forces and the police, and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, the statement noted.
In addition, Council emphasized the specific vulnerabilities of women and children who are refugees or internally displaced persons.
Council also welcomed the statements made by the United Nations Special Representative, Margot Wallström on Sexual Violence in Conflict, on the need to develop joint AU-UN response to eradicate conflict-related sexual violence, the statement said.
It said Council saluted the courage and resilience of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, who delivered poignant messages to the meeting.
Council was moved by those testimonies, which further highlight the need for a collective and determined effort to effectively address the problem of sexual violence.
Council recognized the efforts made by Member States to address conflict-related sexual violence.
Council urged Member States that have not yet done so, to ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003).
Council emphasized the importance of developing strategies at the continental and regional levels, to enable the monitoring of the situation of women and children in conflict.
Council recognized that, despite the many challenges faced by women and children during conflicts, post-conflict settings also provide opportunities for promoting women’s leadership, enhance access to justice, and build momentum for the fundamental rights of children and women.
Council further expressed support to the decision of the Chairperson of the Commission to appoint a Special Representative on Women, Peace and Security.
Council recognized the positive role that women have played in the past in bringing about peaceful resolution to conflicts and encouraged them to continue with such efforts.
Council stressed the importance of such cooperation and coordination in addressing conflict-related sexual violence and encouraged the Commission to take all steps required to this end.
Council reiterated the need to involve the Panel of the Wise, supported by civil society and women’s organizations, in a coordinated advocacy campaign for the ratification, domestication and implementation of relevant instruments relating to the situation of women and children in armed conflict.
According to the statement AU sent to ENA on the late Wednesday that Council took note of the statement made by the Commission on the status of implementation of the African Women’s Decade.
Council also took note of the Preliminary Report of the Panel of the Wise on the theme: “Mitigating Vulnerabilities of Women and Children in Armed Conflicts”, whose final version will be submitted to the Assembly in January 2012, presented by two of its members, Mme Mary-Chinery-Hesse and Mme Marie-Madeleine Ngoy-Kalala.
Council expressed concern at the situation of women and children in conflict situations and post-conflict contexts, stressing the need to fully investigate cases of crimes committed against women and children, to launch preventive campaigns specifically aimed at the armed forces and the police, and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, the statement noted.
In addition, Council emphasized the specific vulnerabilities of women and children who are refugees or internally displaced persons.
Council also welcomed the statements made by the United Nations Special Representative, Margot Wallström on Sexual Violence in Conflict, on the need to develop joint AU-UN response to eradicate conflict-related sexual violence, the statement said.
It said Council saluted the courage and resilience of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, who delivered poignant messages to the meeting.
Council was moved by those testimonies, which further highlight the need for a collective and determined effort to effectively address the problem of sexual violence.
Council recognized the efforts made by Member States to address conflict-related sexual violence.
Council urged Member States that have not yet done so, to ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003).
Council emphasized the importance of developing strategies at the continental and regional levels, to enable the monitoring of the situation of women and children in conflict.
Council recognized that, despite the many challenges faced by women and children during conflicts, post-conflict settings also provide opportunities for promoting women’s leadership, enhance access to justice, and build momentum for the fundamental rights of children and women.
Council further expressed support to the decision of the Chairperson of the Commission to appoint a Special Representative on Women, Peace and Security.
Council recognized the positive role that women have played in the past in bringing about peaceful resolution to conflicts and encouraged them to continue with such efforts.
Council stressed the importance of such cooperation and coordination in addressing conflict-related sexual violence and encouraged the Commission to take all steps required to this end.
Council reiterated the need to involve the Panel of the Wise, supported by civil society and women’s organizations, in a coordinated advocacy campaign for the ratification, domestication and implementation of relevant instruments relating to the situation of women and children in armed conflict.
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