THE country’s permanent pepresentative to the United Nations, Taonga Mushayavanhu, has called for enhanced international cooperation to combat conflict-related sexual violence.
Mushayavanhu underscored the importance of upholding international law and ensuring that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence receive justice, protection and comprehensive support.
“Zimbabwe calls for the prohibition of sexual violence in conflict, backed by discipline and ending impunity is essential to preventing future violations and safeguarding vulnerable populations during armed conflicts," Mushayavanhu said.
Mushayavanhu further stressed the need to preserve evidence of sexual violence committed during conflicts and strengthen national capacities to investigate and prosecute offenders.
“Preservation of evidence and strengthening national investigation and prosecution capacities are critical to ensuring accountability and delivering justice to survivors,” he said.
He urged governments, development partners and international institutions to increase funding for women protection advisers as well as women-led and survivor-led organisations, including during transitions of United Nations peace missions.
“Funding for women protection advisers and women-led and survivor-led organisations, including during mission transitions, remains essential to sustaining protection mechanisms and ensuring that survivors continue to receive the support they require,” Mushayavanhu said.
He said this during the UN open debate which provided member states with an opportunity to review progress in implementing the women, peace and Slsecurity agenda while examining ways to strengthen international responses to conflict-related sexual violence.
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