Photo Source: © UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Statement delivered on behalf of members of the Group of Friends of R2P during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women at the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council

20 June 2022

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of members of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect.

Since women and girls are uniquely affected and targeted in many situations where atrocity crimes are being perpetrated, the systematic application of a gender lens by HRC mechanisms and procedures would enhance holistic atrocity prevention strategies and improve the effective implementation of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P).

We therefore thank the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences for her continuous leadership on mainstreaming a gender perspective into the UN human rights system, and her tireless efforts to provide targeted and action-oriented recommendations on how to achieve this.

We would like to use this occasion to encourage all UN member states to support the Special Rapporteur in this endeavour, including by:

- - Ensuring the inclusion of a specific reference to gender analysis and sexual and gender-based violence, including recommendations for prevention and response, when establishing or renewing mandates of HRC mechanisms and procedures;
  - Regularly including gender-related questions and reflections when participating and delivering interventions at interactive dialogues at the HRC, including those addressing situations where atrocities are, or are at risk of, occurring;
  - Giving visibility and providing a platform across HRC discussions and initiatives to women leaders and their organizations.

Madam Special Rapporteur, how can we further strengthen the capacity of HRC mechanisms and procedures to identify risk factors for atrocity crimes, specifically affecting women and girls, and take preventive action for situations at risk?

Thank you.