(UN News) – With women and girls in Central African Republic (CAR) falling prey to a raft of “terrifying” violations perpetrated by armed groups – from rape to sexual slavery and forced marriage – the head of UN Women today urged the Security Council to take strong action to help restore the rule of law in the country and bolster women’s participation, leadership and protection. Briefing on her recent mission to CAR, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, told the Council that she and Bineta Diop, Special Envoy of the African Union on Women, Peace and Security, had aimed to spotlight the plight of women and girls, ensure that gender issues are addressed from the outset in the newly established UN mission, and to promote women’s participation and leadership in local reconciliation, transitional justice, and upcoming elections.
