The purpose of the meeting with the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict, Pramila Patten, and the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, Siobhán Mullally, was to assess the current situation of the victims and identify the contributions that the United Nations could make a contribution in this area.
Sponsored by the Presidential Council for National Reconciliation through the Department of State, this space was used to hear best practices and challenges to prevent sexual violence in conflict.
UN Women believes that the organizations’ articulated work is vital for Colombian women to live free from violence.
“It is important to have a comprehensive legal framework in place, but also to address procedures and obstacles. We need to do a self-assessment to find out where the bottlenecks are and to make sure the procedures are being addressed appropriately,” said Pramila.
The challenges related to care and recovery are difficult, not only nationally but also globally, he added.
In this sense, he urged to “react to the survivors in a humane manner, based on the abilities and roles of each individual being.”
He congratulated the authorities on their work in this area and assured that the country has the support of the United Nations and UN Women.
The United Nations Special Representative shared a room exclusively with women victims of sexual violence in the armed conflict and representatives of social organizations in northern Colombia to learn about the challenges and measures to prevent and respond to sexual violence in the country.
The event was attended by, among others, the Presidential Advisor on Human Rights, Jenny de la Torre, and delegates from the Bolívar Governor’s Office.
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