UNleaderscallforint'lparticipationinfightingsexualviolenceinSudanconflict_GuangmingOnlineUNITEDNATIONS,April25(Xinhua)--TwoUNofficialsarecallingformoreinternationalengagementtocombatsexualviolenceagainstwomenandgirlsintheSudanconflict,aUNspokesmansaidonThursday.AssistantSecretary-GeneralforHumanitarianAffairsJoyceMsuyajoinedPramilaPatten,thespecialrepresentativeofSecretary-GeneralAntonioGuterresonsexualviolenceinconflict,todelivertheplea,saidStephaneDujarric,chiefspokesmanforGuterres."Theirappealcomesasallegationsofrape,forcedmarriage,sexualslavery,andthetraffickingofwomenandgirlscontinuetoberecorded,especiallyinKhartoum,aswellasDarfurandKordofan,"Dujarricsaid.ThespokesmansaidtheofficialstimedthereleaseoftheirjointstatementfortheeveofFriday'sSecurityCouncilsessiononconflict-relatedsexualviolence."Ms.MsuyaandMs.Pattenareurgingmemberstosendanunequivocalmessage,whichisthatunderinternationalhumanitarianlaw,civiliansinSudan--andasamatteroffactanywherearoundtheworld--mustbeprotectedandmustneverbesubjectedtoactsofsexualviolence,whichcouldconstitutewarcrimes,"Dujarricsaid."Reportsofsexualviolencerevealthewar'sdisproportionateimpactonwomenandgirls,"thestatementsaid."MillionsofciviliansareespeciallyatriskastheyfleeconflictareasinsearchofshelterinsideSudanandinneighboringcountries."However,thestatementsaidthetruescaleofthecrisisinSudanisunseen,aresultofsevereunderreportingduetostigma,fearofreprisals,andalackofconfidenceinnationalinstitutions.Editor:DisclaimerTheviewsandopinionsexpressedinthisarticlearethoseoftheauthor's,GMW.cnmakesnorepresentationsastoaccuracy,suitability,orvalidityofanyinformationonthissiteandwillnotbeliableforanyerrors,omissions,ordelaysinthisinformation.