S/2017/249 30. In response to a pattern of sexual harassment targeting women activists, including those who championed gender justice during the peace process, the Government conducted security-risk assessments for 1,164 women leaders, finding 675 to be facing an elevated risk of violence by armed actors. While the authorities have put in place risk-mitigation measures, the Ombudsman notes that protection must be better adapted to specific needs and contexts. There is still a paucity of psychosocial support services available and an insufficient number of shelters for survivors, particularly in remote areas. Recommendation 31. I commend the Government of Colombia and FARC-EP on their historic achievement to place gender justice at the heart of the Colombian peace process, and urge them to ensure that it remains central during implementation. This precedent should inform the ongoing peace dialogues between the Government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional. I call for the work of transitional justice mechanisms to pay specific attention to the plight and rights of women, girls and all survivors of sexual violence; for verification of the ceasefire to include monitoring of sexual violence; and for risk-reduction measures to be embedded in the process of laying down arms. Democratic Republic of the Congo 32. In 2016, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) verified 514 cases of conflict related sexual violence. The victims included 340 women, 170 girls, three men and one boy. During the same period, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported 2,593 cases of sexual violence in conflict-affected provinces. 33. The majority of perpetrators were non-State armed groups, who were responsible for 68 per cent of verified incidents. Among these groups, the Force de résistance patriotiques de l’Ituri was responsible for 20 per cent of incidents occurring mainly during attacks on villages and ambushes in Ituri Province. Mai Mai Raia Mutomboki combatants were responsible for 18 per cent of reported cases overall, raping 90 women and girls in four separate attacks between January and November in North and South Kivu provinces. Mai Mai Simba factions remained active at mining sites in the Mambasa territory of Ituri province and were liable for 4 per cent of reported incidents of conflict-related sexual violence. MONUSCO separated 40 girls from armed groups, all of whom reported being subjected to rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage or other forms of sexual violence. 34. Government security forces were responsible for the remainder o f verified incidents, with 27 per cent of these violations attributed to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC). The Congolese national police and members of the Congolese national intelligence agency were responsible for 5 per cent of cases. In order to foster prevention and improve the response, FARDC continues to implement its action plan to combat sexual violence. In 2016, 193 military field commanders signed undertakings to prevent and address sexual violence and 200 commanders were trained on their legal obligations. 35. The United Nations documented 100 convictions of members of the State security forces for sexual violence crimes in 2016. Verdicts were also handed down 17-05090 11/33