59th session of the Human Rights CouncilAnnual full-day discussion on the human rights of women
Panel on gender-based violence against women and girls in conflict, post-conflict and humanitarian settings (24 June 2025)
Statement of the Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflicts
Delivered by Mrs. Patricia Benítez Lima, DPR of the Permanent Mission of Uruguay.
24.06.2025
President,
I deliver this statement on behalf of the Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict, co-chaired by Uruguay and Belgium.
Gender-based violence remains one of the most persistent and underreported forms of violence in conflict, disproportionately affecting women as well as girls. From the six grave violations monitored through the framework of the UN’s Children and Armed Conflict mandate, girls are particularly vulnerable to recruitment and use, abduction, and rape and other forms of sexual violence - including forced marriage, slavery, and forced pregnancy.
These violations go frequently undocumented, resulting in the exclusion of affected girls from protection mechanisms, reintegration programmes, and accountability processes. Systemic barriers, such as limited access to essential services and to education, not only compound their risk of exposure to violence and vulnerabilities but also reinforce existing inequalities and perpetuate cycles of marginalization.
Applying a gender-responsive approach to all the grave violations of the rights of the child when it comes to monitoring, reporting, response, prevention and accountability mechanisms, will facilitate the analysis of girls’ needs and vulnerabilities, and improve their protection.
As conflicts multiply, renewed political engagement is essential. We reaffirm our strong support for the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, a key mechanism to give visibility to these grave violations, document them, promote accountability, and coordinate protection and prevention efforts.
I thank you.