A/HRC/RES/21/15 women” is not limited to sexual violence but includes any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, and calls for effective measures of accountability and redress where those acts amount to violations of international human rights and humanitarian law; 18. Recognizes that sexual and gender-based violence is also committed against men and boys in conflict and post-conflict situations and, as such, can also constitute a gross violation of international human rights law and a serious violation of international humanitarian law and that such violations must be investigated, prosecuted and punished, and redress be provided to victims in accordance with applicable domestic law obligations under international law; 19. Also recognizes that sexual and gender-based violence, particularly in conflict and post-conflict situations, affects victims, families, communities and societies, and stresses that effective remedies in those situations should include access to health care, psychosocial support, legal assistance and socioeconomic reintegration services for victims of such violence; 20. Underlines the needs of women and the particular needs of children in transitional justice processes and the obligation and importance of enabling the full and equal participation of women, and the importance of engaging children, consistent with their age and maturity, in all aspects of post-conflict recovery, recognizing their crucial role in facilitating the reconstruction of society, the promotion of the rule of law and ensuring accountability; 21. Underlines the need for the rights of both victims and accused persons to be respected, in accordance with international human rights law, with particular attention to be paid to those most affected by conflicts and the lack of effective rule of law mechanisms, among them women, children, migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities and persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples, and to ensure that specific measures are taken for their free participation and protection and for the sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons in safety and dignity; 22. Emphasizes the need to provide gender-sensitive human rights training in the context of transitional justice to all relevant national actors, including police, military, intelligence and security services, prosecution staff and members of the judiciary, in dealing with victims of human rights violations, particularly women and girls, in order to ensure gender sensitivity and gender mainstreaming in the restoration of the rule of law and transitional justice processes; 23. Calls upon States to assist the United Nations in its ongoing work on the relevant recommendations of the reports of the Secretary-General on the rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict societies,2 the report of the SecretaryGeneral entitled “Uniting our strengths: Enhancing United Nations support for the rule of law”3 as well as subsequent reports of the Secretary-General on the rule of law,4 including by incorporating international human rights law, principles and best practices into the development and implementation of transitional justice mechanisms and by cooperating fully with United Nations field presences in the area of human rights and transitional justice and by facilitating the work of relevant special procedures; 24. Calls upon the international community and regional organizations to assist countries who so consent, in the context of transitional justice, to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights and to incorporate best practices into the development and implementation of transitional justice mechanisms; 5