The letter, delivered last week, says: "We, the undersigned, congratulate the United Nations and the Security Council for recognising the experiences of women in conflicts and war. U.N. Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) articulate the critical role of women in peacemaking and peace building, and that the protection needs of women during conflict and crisis are essential elements of peace and security."

"Despite these milestones, women and girls continue to experience alarming forms of exploitation and violence -- including sexual violence in many countries worldwide. While the U.N. has made many efforts, it is most disappointing that parts of the system are still implicated in such abuse in conflict areas. Even one incident is one too many."

"It is time to put words into action. SCR 1820 demands zero tolerance. We know that you have the means -- and hopefully the willingness -- to take a historic leadership role in this matter, with the following steps:

* "Assert leadership and take needed action on this matter.

* Do everything in your power to bring any U.N. personnel involved in sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) to international justice, including through International Criminal Court (ICC) mechanisms."

"We urge you to do what is right and take immediate action regarding the steps proposed above. We support you wholeheartedly in this endeavour. We look forward to your response".

Eighty-four public figures, including academics, writers, government officials, peace advocates, human rights activists, and former U.N. officials also signed the letter.

The issue of sexual abuse in U.N. missions overseas is expected to be discussed by the Security Council later this week. Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, a former U.N. Under-Secretary-General, was the initiator of Security Council resolution 1325 in March 2000, when he was president of the Council in his capacity as Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the U.N. He recently proposed the preparation of a set of indicators by June 2009 to monitor implementation of that resolution by the countries, the U.N. system as well as other multilateral bodies.

The resolution, described as the first in which the Security Council addressed the role and experience of women in armed conflicts, called on warring parties to adopt "a gender perspective" on peace negotiations and "gender mainstreaming" in all U.N. peacekeeping missions. But more than eight years later, there are growing complaints that the political thrust of that historic resolution still remains unimplemented, and that there is now a need for a fulltime U.N. special representative to pursue turning the resolution into reality.