UNITED NATIONS, April 23 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday asked the international community to fully respect the sovereignty and will of the countries concerned in the fight against sexual violence in conflict.
Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, called for respecting the measures taken by the governments of the countries concerned in the context of their national realities.
Individual countries bear the primary responsibility for preventing and combating sexual violence in conflict and protecting their women and children, said Ma.
The international community should vigorously support capacity building of the countries concerned, provide targeted assistance, enhance capacity building in security, social governance and other areas, and effectively safeguard the rights and interests of women in conflict, he said.
The Chinese ambassador also asked to scale up the protection of women's rights and interests in the post-conflict reconstruction process.
Due regard should be given to the rights of the victims of sexual violence in conflict, he said.
The international community should, from a long-term perspective, provide development assistance and technical support for the realization of gender equality and women's empowerment in developing countries, so as to protect women's rights and interests at the fundamental level, said Ma.
The international community should actively help post-conflict countries ramp up their economic and social development, and ensure that the dividends of development are shared by all, including women, the envoy said.
Attention should be given to guiding women's organizations and civil society to play a constructive role to that end, he added.
