HRC63 - EU Statement - Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's analytical report on the human rights of women and children in conflict and post-conflict situations

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

63^rd Session

 

Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's analytical report on the human rights of women and children in conflict and post-conflict situations

16 September 2026

EU statement

Mr President/ Ms./Mr. Vice-President

The European Union thanks the High Commissioner for the report and welcomes its emphasis on strengthening accountability and ensuring effective remedies for women and children affected by conflict and post-conflict situations.

As the report highlights, women and children are disproportionately affected by armed conflict. Children, in particular, face unique vulnerabilities and a lower threshold for harm than adults, having particular protection needs in situations of armed conflict. In 2023, women and children  accounted for roughly 70% of civilian fatalities with an upsurge of verified violations in 2025. They also face killings, forced displacement, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as disproportionate impacts from attacks on health and education facilities and from the denial of essential services. These harms are compounded by pre-existing gender and age-based discrimination and stereotypes.

The report rightly stresses that addressing these inequalities must be part of conflict prevention, peacebuilding and recovery. This includes ensuring the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls throughout peace processes. The EU is strongly committed to this. We are advancing this through our commitment for the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, including by integrating gender perspectives and women’s participation across our external action and CSDP missions.

We also share the report’s call for a victim- and survivor-centred, gender-responsive and child-sensitive approach to accountability. This requires prompt and impartial investigations, removing barriers to justice, and accessible complaint and redress mechanisms. The EU’s Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy supports stronger national justice systems and victims seeking remedy. In this vein, we call for the full respect and implementation of international humanitarian law in armed conflicts.

High Commissioner, what concrete steps do you consider most important to ensure that women and children can effectively access justice and redress?

I thank you.