Video: senior UN official visits Central African Republic to focus on stronger measures against sexual abuse

The United Nations special coordinator on sexual exploitation and abuse is in Central African Republic (CAR) to discuss stronger measures to respond to the scourge.

During the visit, her first in the new capacity, Jane Holl Lute has been meeting with senior management at the UN mission in the country, known by the acronym MINUSCA, about recent allegations.

She called stressed that “we have to get to the root of this problem” describing what occurred as “unacceptable.”

Ms. Lute said the UN must create an environment where the victims “can come forward when these behaviours have occurred,” “levy allegations without fear,” and see that “justice is done.”

On first visit to Central African Republic, UN Special Coordinator Jane Holl Lute discusses implementing measures to strengthen the response against sexual exploitation and abuse. Credit: MINUSCA

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Ms. Lute in February to coordinate efforts to curb sexual exploitation and abuse among UN peacekeepers.