E/2002/27 E/CN.6/2002/13 2. Condemns violent acts in contravention of international humanitarian law against the civilian population, as such, in areas of armed conflict, and calls for an effective response to such acts, in particular the immediate release of women and children taken hostage, including those subsequently imprisoned, in armed conflicts; 3. Also condemns the consequences of hostage-taking, in particular, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, rape, slavery, and trafficking in women and children for the purpose of their sexual exploitation, forced labour or services; 4. Strongly urges all parties to armed conflicts to respect fully the norms of international humanitarian law in armed conflict and to take all necessary measures for the protection of the civilian population, as such, and to release immediately all women and children who have been taken hostage; 5. Urges all parties to armed conflicts to provide safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance for these women and children; 6. Requests the Secretary-General and all relevant international organizations to use their capabilities and efforts to facilitate the immediate release of civilian women and children who have been taken hostage; 7. Also requests the Secretary-General to prepare, taking into account the information provided by States and relevant international organizations, a report on the implementation of the present resolution for submission to the Commission on the Status of Women at is forty-eighth session; 8. Decides to consider the question at its forty-eighth session. Resolution 46/2 Women, the girl child and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)* The Commission on the Status of Women, Welcoming General Assembly resolution S-26/2 of 27 June 2001, entitled “Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS”, adopted at its twenty-sixth special session, held in New York from 25 to 27 June 2001, Recalling the agreed conclusions adopted at the forty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women entitled “Women, the girl child and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)”, 39 1. Reaffirms the need for Governments, supported by relevant actors, to urgently implement the commitments on the HIV/AIDS goals and objectives contained in the “Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS” adopted at the twentysixth special session of the General Assembly; 40 2. Stresses that gender equality and the empowerment of women are fundamental elements in the reduction of the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV/AIDS; __________________ * 39 40 20 For the discussion, see chap. III. Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2001, Supplement No. 1 (E/2001/99), resolution 2001/5. General Assembly resolution S-26/2.