Mariano Rajoy says Spain will contribute one million euros to fighting sexual violence in armed conflict

United Nations, New York (USA)

The President of the Government chaired the open session entitled "Women, Peace and Security" that was held within the framework of the Spanish Presidency of the United Nations Security Council. In his speech, Mariano Rajoy stressed that one of the main conclusions from the debate is that "gender inequality is a threat to international peace and security". He also believes it to be "an injustice, immoral and an obstacle preventing progress by humanity".

The President of the Government highlighted that the resolution is the result of a joint effort by the Member States, the United Nations System and civil society, and lays "renewed, sound and ambitious foundations for the next 15 years on the 'Women, Peace and Security' agenda".

He went on to explain that Resolution 2242 has a two-fold objective: to strengthen the protection of women and girls in armed conflict; and increase their full and active participation in the prevention of conflict and peacebuilding. "We must spare no effort in combating the sexual violence that is used as a weapon of war and terror, it is very often more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in conflict", he said.

Mariano Rajoy added that women are key to the preservation and building of peace, and their contributions are essential against the senselessness of conflict.

Commitments by Spain

Pool EFE/Miguel Rajmil

The President of the Government said that Spain is fully committed to equality between men and women. In this regard, he mentioned the approval of the Strategic Plan for Equal Opportunities and the National Strategy to Eradicate Violence Against Women, among others. In application of UN Resolution 1325, Spain also has a National Action Plan, is enhancing a gender focus in peacekeeping missions and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation maintains a strategic relationship with UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Furthermore, and in order to improve the protection of women, Mariano Rajoy announced that Spain will make a contribution of one million euros in 2016 to the new Global Acceleration Instrument and the Multi-agency Fund against Sexual Violence in Conflict.

The President of the Government also committed to strictly applying the zero tolerance policy in terms of accusations of sexual violence affecting Spanish civilian and military members of overseas missions.

Other commitments include further developing the training on gender issues provided to members of the Armed Forces and State Law Enforcement Agencies, and fostering the participation of military women in peacekeeping operations and mediation teams.

Unanimous approval

In a statement to the media at the end of the session, the President of the Government specified that 600 military women took part in international missions in 2015.Pool EFE/Miguel Rajmil

The President of the Government also stressed that the resolution was approved unanimously by the 15 members of the United Nations Security Council, sponsored by 70 countries and over 100 countries expressed their interest in the issue. Furthermore, he reiterated that the resolution consolidates the progress achieved in recent years and offers a response to current shortcomings.

The President of the Government added that the approval of this text is "a very positive step towards guaranteeing gender equality" and moving towards "a more civilised, fairer and more reasonable world that has greater respect for people's rights, basically women and girls".

Condemnation of attacks in Turkey

Pool EFE/Miguel RajmilAs President of the United Nations Security Council, Mariano Rajoy opened the session by strongly condemning the attacks carried out last weekend in Turkey, Chad and Cameroon. He also offered his condolences to the families of those killed and injured, and expressed the solidarity of the Government of Spain with those countries.

Furthermore, the President of the Government attended a bilateral meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, at the United Nations Headquarters before taking part in the special meeting of the Security Council.