Watch the video here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads2.unmultimedia.org/public/video/ondemand/2928541_MSG%20DSG%20MOHAMMED%20TOGO%2002%20SEP%2022.mp4

Excellency, President Faure Gnassingbé Eyadéma,
Distinguished Members of the Togolese Government,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we recognize Togo’s leadership in preventing and addressing gender-based and conflict-related sexual violence.

I commend the Government’s efforts to tackle this priority and maintain peace and security in the region through the meaningful participation of women in peace operations.

Gender inequalities are the primary drivers of all forms of violence against women and girls.

Today’s initiative is built upon that, while also recognising the central role of women and girls in building sustainable peace.

The United Nations is proud to support Togo’s Peacekeeping Training Centre, which will ensure that peacekeepers play a key role in the prevention of gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence.

The programme aims to tackle the systems and structures upholding inequality, transform the experiences of women and girls in conflict settings and lay the pathway for peace.

To echo the Secretary-General, “sexual violence is a threat to every individual's right to a life of dignity, and to humanity's collective peace and security.”

Political will is crucial to ensuring that sexual violence in conflict is never overlooked, under-reported or normalized.

I applaud the Togolese Government, police, military, and civilian staff deployed in peace operations for their support in maintaining security, and for their commitment to end gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence.

And I applaud the women and girls, men and boys at the centre of all the work we undertake.

I thank them for their bravery, courage and advocacy, as we continue our march towards removing this stain on our collective humanity.

Thank you.