Taking the Next Step: Strengthening the Security Council’s response to sexual violence and attacks on education in armed conflict

Although the Security Council had identified six grave violations against children in armed conflict, as of 2009 it had focused primarily on the recruitment and use of child soldiers. Other violations affect much larger numbers of children, and result in terrible and long-lasting consequences, but have not received the same focused international response. Although all violations against children in armed conflict deserve greater attention, this paper focuses particularly on ways that the Security Council can enhance its response to sexual violence and attacks on education.