Secretary-General, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am deeply honoured to receive this award on behalf of MINUSCA, the Central African Republic, my colleagues and my Country, Brazil. It shows the importance that the United Nations gives to the gender perspective in peacekeeping operations.
In CAR on average every month over 1,000 protection-related incidents are recorded, mainly against women and children, and the population continues to suffer from the consequences of conflict, particularly the huge number of Conflict Related Sexual Violence crimes.
Within MINUSCA only 3.7 % of the military personnel women. I ask you to pledge to send more female peacekeepers to UN missions, particularly in frontline roles, engaging with the local population, and meeting with local women leaders. This will bring precious information to improve the effectiveness of our operations.
Thank you very much!