The African Union and the United Nations sign an Agreement on preventing and responding to sexual violence in Africa

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 2, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Commission of the African Union (AU) and the Office of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC), yesterday, 31st January 2014, in Addis Ababa, signed a Framework for Cooperation on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations in Africa.

Ambassador Sma?l Chergui, Commissioner for Peace and Security, signed on behalf of the AU Commission, while Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, signed on behalf of the UN.

Under this Framework, the AU Commission and the Office of the SRSG-SVC undertake to work together in combating impunity and promoting accountability, as a critical measure of deterrence and prevention; fostering political leadership and action; implementing capacity building and training programmes to enhance response at all levels; fostering better coordination, national ownership and leadership. Under the Framework, the two parties also commit themselves to facilitate the provision of multi-sectorial services for survivors, and to alleviate the stigma and trauma of survivors.

The newly appointed AU Special Envoy on Women and Children in Conflicts, Ms. Bineta Diop, attended the signing ceremony.