The UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring “rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity or a constitutive act with respect to genocide”.

The best part, of many great aspects of what the speakers had to say yesterday, is that many speakers argued that an end to rape as a weapon of war will only come when women are full participants in their nation’s national security sector and post-war negotiations and full participants in international peace-keeping missions.

We must do far more to involve women in conflict prevention, peace negotiations and recovery after the guns fall silent,” he said, stressing that he needed Member States to come forward with more women candidates. Referring to the all-female Indian civil police unit in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) as a possible model, he said that, when Member States send qualified personnel, the United Nations could demonstrate the central role of women in restoring stability to war-ravaged countries.

On the issue of Untied Nations operations, the Secretary-General said: “Let me be clear; the United Nations and I personally are profoundly committed to a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation or abuse by our own personnel.” By creating a culture that punished violence and elevated women to their rightful role, “we can lay the foundation for lasting stability, where women are not victims of violence, but agents of peace”, he added.

Ms. Migiro added that tackling this complex problem on all fronts would require the combined effort of all, including Governments, the United Nations system, as well as civil society and non-governmental organizations. She called women “one of our greatest assets” in the fight against such horrific crimes. “If we promote the full and equal participation of women in the security sector, we can ensure that security services effectively identify and respond to their needs,” she added

Echoing that sentiment, General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim said that women must be assured equal and full participation in conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes, and represented in the structures and institutions realized from any peace dividend to ensure that it lasted.

The press release contains the entire text of the resolution and more great quotes from the day’s speakers. Words on a page are only words on a page, but I do believe that they matter deeply if we put will behind them. If nothing else, the obligation of the world to end sexual violence during war was resoundingly endorsed yesterday, and that’s a historic first.

If you want to take action to try to ensure that these words are backed with action, write to Condoleezza Rice, who sponsored the resolution as part of the U.S.’s month long chairing of the Security Council. Tell her that the resolution is great, and that you want to see it lead to action.

Thanks to Jeff for the quick alert.