As part of the United Nations Secretary-General’s strategy to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse, global leaders have come together to issue a statement reaffirming their personal commitment to eliminate sexual exploitation and abuse across the United Nations system.
In the statement, the leaders recognize the unique responsibility of the United Nations to set the standard for preventing, responding to and eradicating sexual exploitation and abuse within the United Nations system, address its impact effectively and humanely and safeguard and empower survivors.
The leaders are 48 heads of state or government from the Secretary-General’s Circle of Leadership and 22 United Nations entities, including UNAIDS. UNAIDS is firmly committed to zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse anywhere and recently hosted a high-level event with the African Union during the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly to tackle sexual and gender-based violence in humanitarian crises.
In the statement, the leaders recognize the shared responsibility of the United Nations and its Member States to protect survivors and whistle-blowers and take appropriate action against perpetrators. They also express their commitment to working together to implement the United Nations Secretary-General’s strategy, which outlines four main areas of action: putting victims first; ending impunity; engaging civil society and external partners; and improving strategic communications for education and transparency.
Click here to read the full statement.
