Utviklingsministerens innlegg under arrangement om seksualisert og kjønnsbasert vold i New York

Voldtekt og seksualisert vold brukes som et våpen i væpna konflikter. Dette pågår for eksempel i Kongo og i Sudan. Når naturkatastrofer rammer lokalsamfunn, når folk må flykte fra sine hjem, når det er knapphet på mat eller det bryter ut væpna konflikter, er jenter og kvinner i økende grad utsatt for seksualisert-og kjønnsbasert vold (SGBV). Unge kvinner og barn er mest utsatt. Gutter og menn med avvikende seksuell legning eller kjønnsidentitet, er også i risikosonen.

Les utviklingsminister Åsmund Aukrusts innlegg her:

(Check against delivery)

Dr. Kanem, excellencies, friends

I am pleased to welcome you to this side event here at CPD. 
We meet at a time of great political and ideological disruption and increased global polarization. 

The rules of international law, including human rights and humanitarian law, are being challenged as we speak.

Armed conflicts are on the rise. The violations and abuses committed by parties to conflicts are causing unacceptable suffering. 

Lack of protection leads to rapid increase in humanitarian needs
Time and again, health workers and health facilities are attacked by parties to conflict.

And we are witnessing a pushback on gender equality, and women’s and girl’s rights.

At the same time, and because of shifting political priorities, humanitarian funding is falling for the first time in a decade. I am deeply concerned by this development. 

Friends,

Sexual and gender-based violence increases in times of crises. It happens when natural disasters hit, people are displaced, food supplies are dwindling, or armed conflict erupts. 

In current conflicts in DRC and in Sudan, sexual violence is used as a method of warfare - a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law. It is devastating for the individual survivors, their families and communities. 

Women and girls are most affected by sexual and gender-based violence. Young girls and child survivors are the most vulnerable. Men, boys and people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identity are also at risk. 

We know access to psychosocial support and sexual and reproductive health services is a critical part of the response to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. 

It can represent the difference between life and death for newborn babies and their mothers.

Still, GBV prevention and response, including SRH services, has been chronically underfunded in humanitarian response. 

And now, directly hit by recent funding cuts. Combined with the normative push-back on gender, the impacts on the lives of thousands of survivors will be devastating.

Against this backdrop let me highlight a few points for today’s discussion:

First, all protection work, including preventing and responding to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, is lifesaving. Timely, holistic, age- and gender- sensitive responses for survivors are critical, from the onset and throughout a crisis
Second, the rights and priorities of survivors – in all their diversity must remain at the forefront of every response. 

Lastly, governments and local actors, in collaboration with the international community, must build resilient health systems that are prepared to respond to SGBV and SRH needs when crisis hits. 

For Norway the humanitarian funding remains stable. And our political priorities are clear. Protection against sexual and gender-based violence is high on our humanitarian strategy. 

We have taken on the global leadership for the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies. And we have increased our humanitarian funding for SGBV and SRH. 

The world is facing a challenging global anti-rights agenda. Let me assure you that Norway maintain our commitment to the protection of civilians, including from sexual and gender-based violence, and the protection of women’s rights and gender equality – everywhere.

Let me assure you that Norway maintains ourcommitment to the protection of civilians, including from sexual and gender-based violence, and the protection of women’s rights and gender equality – everywhere.

Thank you