UN General Assembly
2008

We must all be ready to assist. Not long ago, the United Nations and the African Union were able to help Kenya to prevent a frightening crisis from turning into the worst possible nightmare. If a State is unwilling to protect people within its borders, the Security Council must assume its responsibility to protect. We need a Security Council that is ready to shoulder that responsibility and to work together, because unilateral action might run the risk of aggravating the problem and undermining international law and legitimacy. Violence against women and girls is a major obstacle to the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all people. Efforts to combat such violence must not end with a peace agreement. We must ensure that women have full access to justice, also in the transition from war to peace. Last June, the landmark Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security was followed up by Security Council resolution 1820 (2008) on sexual violence. It reaffirms that rape and other forms of