Statement by Mr. ONO Sho, Minister in Charge of Social Affairs, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, at the 11th Observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

 

Thank you, Mr. Moderator.
 
I would like to thank the Office of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Office of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict, and the Permanent Mission of Argentina for organizing this important event. I would also like to thank each of the speakers for their valuable insights.
 
As we have discussed, sexual violence is one of the gravest yet often overlooked crimes in conflict settings. Recognizing the profound harm and generational consequences of CRSV, Japan has championed the CRSV mandate through consistent contribution to the Office of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict among several countries through non-core funding since 2014 and core-funding since 2020, which are indicated in this annual report of the TOE.
 
Most recently, Japan supported UN Action’s project in Sudan titled, “Mitigating risks and enhancing the response to gender-based violence, including CRSV, in conflict-affected states in Sudan,” which operated in highly challenging environments in West and Central Darfur and served over 8,000 women and girls. While the project focused on addressing immediate protection risks for displaced women and girls, it also empowered survivors of CRSV through income-generating and vocational training conducted in safe spaces, which enables women to improve their own socio-economic status.

This year, Japan is supporting the Team of Expert’s project on strengthening access to justice for victims and survivors of CRSV in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The project aims to increase registration of CRSV incidents to law enforcement and judicial authorities in IDP camps and areas especially affected by displacement or the presence of armed groups. It also aims to provide technical and logistical support to investigations and prosecution of CRSV, and to enhance judicial cooperation with neighbouring countries to ensure the pursuit of CRSV cases across borders.

Moreover, Japan supports the vital work of the Office of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict through funding as well as through bolstering capacity, including by contributing Junior Professional Officers.
 
CRSV is not a one-off incident, but rather perpetuates cycles of poverty, violence, and trauma. Therefore, Japan remains committed to investing in the protection and empowerment of women and girls, as well as to strengthening judicial systems to tackle CRSV, to break these cycles and enable a future of hope for survivors.
 
Japan will continue to strive towards the elimination of sexual violence in conflict alongside UN partners and the broader international community.
 
I thank you.