The United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General and Special Coordinator for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Christian Saunders, reaffirmed on Wednesday, August 20, the Organization’s commitment to supporting the country in the fight against sexual abuse and exploitation, according to the Mozambican News Agency.
Christian Saunders, who is visiting the country to assess the situation, spoke in Maputo after a courtesy meeting with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Mozambican Communities Abroad, Maria Manso.
“The fight against sexual abuse and exploitation requires support for victims, to ensure their rights are respected, that they receive the necessary assistance, and that those responsible for these acts are held accountable for their harmful behavior,” he stressed.
The UN official explained that his presence in the country aims “to work with the UN country team, but also to explore ways to help the Government move forward in this area.” He added that the organization has extensive experience gained in different parts of the world, which can be shared to strengthen the capacities of Mozambican public and private institutions.
He further highlighted that combating sexual abuse and exploitation must address structural factors, namely “the inequality of rights between men and women, women’s lack of economic power, inadequate legislation to deal with cases of sexual violence, and the predominance of patriarchal societies.” Christian Saunders emphasized that the solution lies in restoring women’s rights and strengthening their determination, drawing inspiration from lessons learned in different countries, including Mozambique, where the UN already has specialists deployed in this field.
“We remain hopeful in continuing to work with the Government, learning from its efforts and contributing to eliminating this dangerous darkness from history,” he concluded.
Source: Diário Económico
