ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Thursday expressed its deep concern over the persistence of sexual violence incidents during armed conflicts across the African continent.
The 55-member pan African bloc expressed its "deep concern" concerning the persistence of sexual violence in armed conflicts in Africa following the African Peace and Security Council's latest meeting, which was held under the theme the state of "Sexual Violence in Armed Conflicts in Africa."
"The Council noted with deep concern the persistence of conflict-related sexual violence in Africa, in spite of the commitments made by the AU member countries to end this scourge," the AU said in a statement on Thursday.
The AU, noting that majority of the perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence in Africa are non-state actors, further underscored the vital importance for all AU member countries "to sign, ratify and fully domesticate all AU and international instruments relating to sexual violence."
It also emphasized the significance of respecting the AU's Policy on Conduct and Discipline for AU Peace Support Operations (PSOs) as well as the AU Policy on Prevention and Responses to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse for PSOs, as important instruments in tackling conflict-related sexual violence incidents.
The AU emphasized the importance of ensuring the inclusion of women in the national defense and security forces and their deployment in PSOs, as well as their effective participation in peace processes.
Council underscored the importance of regular capacity building training on prevention of conflict-related sexual violence, particularly for national justice and security sector actors.
Noting the urgent need to foster regional cooperation and sharing of experiences and best practice in preventing and addressing conflict-related sexual violence in Africa, the Council also "encouraged all AU member countries to adopt broad, progressive legal frameworks that reflect a broad understanding of sexual violence."
According to the AU, the proposed legal frameworks should embrace the broader understanding of sexual violence against men and boys, as well as the rights of children conceived through wartime rape.
The AU's Peace and Security Council also commended African countries that have already adopted their national action plans for the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, a global framework that provides for the participation of women in peace processes.
It also urged its member countries, which have not yet adopted national plans of action to the implementation of the UN Security Council's resolution, "to do the same without further delays."
Noting the importance of "harnessing and further strengthening women's national platforms and regional networks on peace and security," the Council further encouraged all AU member countries to endorse the AU's principles on the protection of civilians.
The AU also commended its continental and international partners for their "continued support to the continental efforts aimed at preventing and fighting sexual violence in Africa."
It also emphasized the contribution of civil society organizations "in building the capacity of AU member countries to prevent and respond to cases of sexual as well as gender-based violence, with particular emphasis to their support to victims and survivors of this scourge."
