Rape as a war crime; Saving succeeding generations

Concerned over the security of women and girls in situations of armed conflict, United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated that rape was a crime that could never be condoned; yet, women and girls around the world had been subjected to widespread and deliberate acts of sexual violence. Chairing in June 2008 a thematic debate of the Security Council on women, peace and security, Ms Rice said that “we affirm that sexual violence profoundly affects not only the health and safety of women, but also the economic and social stability of their nations”.