The Office for Sexual Violence in Conflict of the Secretary General advocates against conflict-related sexual violence. The Security Council’s awareness of this historically mitigated issue established this Office as a way to combat the inhumane acts of sexual violence and its long term effects. It works to alleviate the immediate impact sexual violence has on a local level as well as a global level. Realizing the detriments faced on the global level is especially paramount, as safety of the people is key to peace and security. Long term effects that the Office aids in securing include issues after conflict occurs, such as rebuilding and stabilizing the affected state. The efficacy of our efforts is only proven through the change of mindset of the public. No longer is sexual violence viewed as an inexorable consequence of a conflict. Instead, it is seen as a cruel and selfish decision that can be prevented and penalized through the endeavors of international human rights laws. The Office claims six main precedences to operate around. First, working with the federal government to reasonably punish the offenders and actively assist those affected remains a top priority for the Office. Second, empowering the women, who are disproportionately the majority of victims, directly affected as well as those of the next generation to provide perpetual solvency regarding this issue. Third, cooperating with affected states to formulate a strategy in combating the violating action. Fourth, expressing concern on sexual violence through raising awareness on the national and international levels by analyzing rape as a result of conflict. Fifth, negotiating with the entirety of thirteen UN agencies to form a consensus on the most potent way to address the issue as a variable in the UN agenda. Sixth, creating a sense of responsibility for the countries that wish to approach these criminal acts. Fighting sexual violence includes the intricacies of ensuring national responsibility, adjusting the mindset of many who regard the issue at a small scope, and liaising sexual abuse concerns with UN interests.
In London, international members agreed to $10 billion cost for humanitarian aid in Syria for three main objectives presented by the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. He intended to raise $7 billion in immediate humanitarian aid, to muster long-term support, and to protect civilians. He reminds the Office that the ongoing war has killed over 250,000 people, sent over 4 million fleeing Syria, displaced 6.5 million internally, and put 13.5 million people inside the country in dire need of humanitarian aid. This commitment represents how humanitarian and development partners are determined to come to a consensus in order to get children back into school, design employment programmes, and begin rebuilding infrastructure. This way, people can be assured of a state’s responsibility for its people. In Mr. Ban’s opening speech to the conference, he blamed the paucity of humanitarian access for undermining any peace talks, as the people of the state were not within the threshold of security. He also called on world powers and the UN to contribute to humanitarian aid, the key to a successful peace talk. He continues that an increase in signs of conflict only catalyze the insufficient access, strengthening the link for the need of more effective humanitarian aid. Knowing that simple procedure hinders the acceleration of any humanitarian effort in Syria, Mr. Ban claims that the focus on the people of Syria is also being lost amid petty procedural matters, a matter that must be addressed immediately. He then describes his three main objectives. First, at least $7 billion needed for this year, which doubles the amount requested the previous year. He stressed that the international community failed to meet the demands of all people by a large margin. Second, the international community must define its long-term commitment, since even if a peaceful resolve to the war appears, the egregious humanitarian and development needs remains as a long-term consequence of the war. In fact, Mr. Ban specifies that the United Nations stands to lead and coordinate this effort towards those needs. The UN Office for Sexual Violence in Conflict attains the responsibility for those affected by the crime and for the education against such actions. Third, the objective of protecting civilians during as well as after the war. The longer we wait, the number of people affected under numbers inhumane human rights actions increases. The exigency of the situation requires the full attention of the Office, which contributed to the final decision from the UN. Stephen O'Brien, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, refers to this year's appeal for nearly $3.2 billion for the 2016 Syria Humanitarian Response Plan inside Syria and $4.5 billion for the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan for response. He suggests that we must demonstrate to the Syrian people that they are our primary focus; we work to alleviate any fears and doubts implanted in their minds due to conflict. It remains as the legal obligation for states to support this cause and to come together to resolve the issue. The more we allow these human rights infringes to occur, the more accustomed we become. That is problematic as those specific and criminal actions are what we are obliged to fight against. Even with risks, the UN manages to find human rights leaders to actively combat in the region, even with the risk of death and disease. Helen Clark of the UN Development Programme stressed that alongside the vast humanitarian relief effort in Syria, there must be increased investment in building the resilience of people and communities within Syria as well as neighboring countries that suffer from the spillover violence. This need is reflected in Mr. Ban’s proposal, and under-Secretary-General Zainab Hawa Bangura the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sexual Violence in Conflict appealed to participants to ensure that in the course of the asylum process, survivors of sexual violence must be provided with adequate services including medical and psychosocial support. She also called for the ensurance that these victims are kept together with their families to mitigate their trauma and secure their quick integration back into society; she hopes to ensure that unaccompanied children seeking refuge are well documented and protected, so that they do not risk them as prey for sex traffickers and other criminal gangs; and, while granting safe haven to refugees, asylum States also should provide avenues for justice, to hold the perpetrators of crimes such as sexual violence accountable. All these considerations and objectives benefit the perception of the UN, as these generous, benevolent, and prioritizing actions contribute to the legitimacy and fulfillment of objectives of the United Nations.
The UN Office for Sexual Violence in conflict remains responsible for the Japanese sex slave happening during wartime, affecting Korean women. President of South Korea, Moon Jae-In, called upon the Office to assist in resolving the crimes committed in a diplomatic and peaceful manner. The Office works to not only solve the issue of sexual enslavement in the East Asian region, it advocates against the thought that sexual violence is an inevitable occurrence in face of a conflict. The effects of a changed mindset is key to solving the issue from its roots diplomatically. The previous end to the enslavement resulted in dissent among the South Korean people as well as the government; thus, the Office for Sexual Violence in Conflict was wisely asked to aid the two countries in meeting a compromise that would result in a satisfied government and peoples from both countries. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his dislike for the original agreement on the issue of sexual violence as well, hinting that the UN Office was requested to ameliorate the feelings and tensions between the two countries. Not only does the Office resolve issues directly related to sexual violence, but also indirectly in how it makes amends between the countries affected by it. President Moon publicly pronounced that hostile sentiments were expressed from both countries, South Korea and Japan, and that both agreed to a modification of the original compromise. He continues that the agreement would not stand in the way of improving South Korea's ties with Japan, which is why a further adjustment to the ineffective compromise needed to mitigate tensions regarding the respect of each country. Abe established the fact that an effective compromise would irreversibly resolve any remaining disagreeable sentiments between the two countries since the sexual enslavement after World War II. Japan displayed a show of respect for Korean sentiments, as he willingly obliged to alterations in the deal, which demanded Prime Minister Abe to apologize and organize any form of support to the surviving victims of the crime. He gladly agreed to the original deal, donating ten million dollars to the cause involving the victims. The issue with South Korean people, however, remained in the face that Japan failed to acknowledge legal responsibility for the inhumane war crimes committed and recklessly agreed to the deal without truly considering the victim's opinions. They believed that this sign of disrespect does not satisfy the harsh actions that the Korean people burdened, and felt that their suffering should be further ameliorated through true compromise between the two governments. The issue remained that the South Korean people felt that Prime Minister Abe did not respect the emotions of those affected by the horrendous acts of sexual violence committed during the war. Due to this, the Japanese Prime Minister decided to renegotiate with the South Korean government in order to resolve any misunderstandings and unwelcoming feelings. It is generally accepted that the key to a stable relationship between Japan and South Korea is the acceptance of a viable agreement to put this issue of sexual violence to rest. It would replenish and revive the two countries’ cooperation with each other, paving the way to more successful diplomatic opportunities. UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura introduced the agreement to be a breakthrough in diplomacy as well as efforts to end the malevolent cycle of sexual abuses. Representative Bangura issued a statement to commend the two governments on what she called a landmark agreement reached to resolve the longstanding issue of sexual violence confrontation. She requested respective authorities to implement the agreement as quickly as possible so the affected victims would be able to experience the intended benefits as a result of the accord. She also stated that there resides a common purpose and determination to move South Korea and Japan to a unique position to champion the agenda to eradicate conflict-related sexual violence internationally. The Office manages to peacefully resolve any discrepancy relating sexual violence and unleash the unlimited possibilities to diplomacy between countries who disagree of the topic of conflict-related sexual violence.
Behind the northeastern Nigerian town of Gwoza, subversives overran the area for several months prior, causing havoc and instability in the once peaceful community. They cruelly destroyed each building block of a functioning society; women were forcefully taken away to remote camps, where they were subjected to forced marriage and rape. In fact, some were even manipulated to a point of unrecognition when they somehow became suicide bombers. Women were admitted to so much terror and pressured under the face of death in which they had no choice but to become compliant to the rebel men. This was the first time an uncountable number of women were exposed to situations such as these. The inhumane act of rape committed during this time of instability initiated them into a ruthless culture of sexual violence, an experience that would haunt them until proper psychological treatment can reach them. Even after attacks, women would be thrown together with others of the same situation, sitting together, unknowing of the next human rights crime executed on them. Some were forcibly taken as one of multiple wives, and others became the servant of a group of male teenagers, constantly being taunted with deadly weapons. While Boko Haram’s origins and ideology are contested, the persecution of women has been consistent throughout the history of the region. The radical militant group in charge is estimated to have abducted at least 2,000 women and girls since 2014, which is the same year it gained global notoriety for kidnapping 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Nigeria, starting the infamous campaign #BringBackOurGirls. Even today, the women affected are still being held captive in camps, where they endure forced labor, combat, torture, and sexual slavery. They are the living casualties of a 6 year insurgency that has claimed at least 17,000 lives and displaced more than 2.6 million in areas of destitution in Africa’s most populated country. Last spring, Zainab Hawa Bangura, the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, condemned Boko Haram for systematically raping female captives and using them to bear children as part of a strategy to dominate and further establish legitimacy as a rebel group. Comparing the group’s tactics with those used by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, she added that to give rise to a new generation in their own image, they are waging war on women’s physical, sexual, and reproductive autonomy and rights, which the Office for Sexual Violence in Conflict endlessly strives to redress. Nigeria’s last president, Goodluck Jonathan, drew criticism for not doing enough to free Boko Haram hostages and end the insurgency. Due to this, Buhari, a devout supporter of ending the rebel group, was elected and continues to deliver on the thrust of his pledge. Some of the group’s leaders have been arrested, and Nigerian forces have rebounded from a string of losses to reclaim parts of previously conquered territory, allowing them to focus on the civilians affected as well. After women are rescued from the bloody hands of the rebels, the government screens the girls and provides medical treatment at undisclosed locations, nominally to safeguard them from possible Boko Haram reprisals. For the hundreds of thousands of women displaced by Boko Haram’s terror, mortal dangers persist even in places where they have seemingly found safe haven. Meanwhile, those lucky enough to escape from captivity must cope with stigmatization. They are plagued with nightmares, and having sex is no longer possible. They struggle to balance their past in hopes of a future. This is why it is so important for the Office to help those affected; rape is not a one time occurrence. It replays in the minds of the victims and hinders their ability to return to everyday life. They are mocked and misunderstood for being victims of sexual enslavement. They are under the unwavering impression that their captors will return to harm them once again. The UN provides the women with education and psychological aid in hopes that they will be able to integrate themselves back into society. A mix of normalcy and mental-health counseling has been essential to the healing process, as it is possible to loosen the grip abuse has on the mind and body. The women who were helped through this process have seen incredible improvement and are currently adjusting to return to their lives before they were abducted. These humanitarian efforts complemented the national government and UN goals in limiting the amount of sexual abuses and helping all those affected in a way that instills a sense that both the national and international community are working solely for the best interest of the people.