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Foreign Secretary James Smart is organizing an international conference in London to strengthen urgent action against the use of sexual violence in conflict.
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The Foreign Secretary will today (28 November) announce new support to stop sexual violence in conflict as he hosts an international conference in London.
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James Cleverly will also launch a new 3-year strategy which will put survivors at the center of tackling this heinous crime worldwide.
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Among the attendees were Nadia Murad, a survivor of sexual violence in the conflict, her fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege and HRH The Countess of Wessex will be included.
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Angelina Jolie will deliver a video message at the conference
Foreign Secretary James Chaturai is bringing together representatives from nearly 70 countries today to take immediate action to address the problem of sexual violence in conflict – including Ukraine, Ethiopia and Colombia.
New evidence shows that an estimated 20 to 30% of women and girls experience sexual violence in conflict-affected settings.
A 2-day conference in London this week (28 to 29 November) will put survivors of this heinous crime at the center of the global response.
Nadia Murad and Dr Denis Mukwege – who received a joint Nobel Peace Prize for their work to combat sexual violence – will attend, along with the Countess of Wessex and International Criminal Court lawyer Karim Khan. Other survivors, government ministers, and NGO representatives will also agree to share what they have learned and create a joint response to prevent future atrocities.
This week’s conference marks 10 years of the UK Government’s landmark Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI).
Opening the conference, the Foreign Secretary will announce a 3-year strategy to tackle sexual violence in conflict which will be supported by up to £12.5 million of new funding.
Developed with survivors, field experts, parliamentarians, academics and NGOs, the strategy focuses on tackling these crimes in 7 key countries: Ukraine, Bosnia, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq and South Sudan.
Addressing the conference, Foreign Secretary James Cleverley is expected to say:
“The threat of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war should bring immediate international condemnation, and swift action to stop those attacks before they begin.
“So today, we stand in solidarity, to support survivors and bring justice. But to send a clear message to those who order, condone or commit sexual violence: We will not tolerate it and we will prosecute the perpetrators. We will force to do.
Along with the strategy, the Foreign Secretary will also launch:
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A new partnership between the UK government and International Criminal Court prosecutors could use virtual reality technology to make survivors’ experience in court less traumatic.
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A new Accountability Commission and Task Force for Survivors Initiative (ACT) developed by the UK to increase successful prosecutions and strengthen other forms of justice. It will support countries with high levels of sexual violence in conflict to strengthen their national justice systems so that they are fit for purpose. This could include guidance for prosecutors, establishing rapid response mechanisms in emergencies, and training and support from a team of UN experts.
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A new ‘What Works to Prevent Violence’ report sets out the scale of the problem and presents evidence-based ways forward to stop it. The first phase of the UK’s ‘What Works to Prevent Violence’ program has seen a nearly 50% reduction in violence, even in the most challenging circumstances.
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Work to translate commitments into action to promote the rights and well-being of children born as a result of conflict-related sexual violence. This may include reforming national laws, policies and practices
The UK has been at the forefront of efforts to combat conflict-related sexual violence for over a decade since former foreign secretary William Hague and Angelina Jolie jointly launched PSVI in 2012. Angelina Jolie will deliver a video message at the conference, and Lord Hague will speak in person on November 29.
Since then, the UK has supported almost 100 projects in 29 countries – from safe havens in Bosnia, judicial support in Iraq and Colombia and training for peacekeepers in East Africa.
The current situation in Ukraine, as well as recent events in Afghanistan and Ethiopia, show that work to combat conflict-related sexual violence is still just as important.
Last week the Foreign Secretary, on a visit to Ukraine, announced an extra £3.45 million for projects in the country and the wider region, much of which will go towards addressing sexual and reproductive health.
FCDO Minister of State, Lord (Tariq) of Wimbledon, Prime Minister’s Special Representative for the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) and Co-Host of the Conference:
“Hearing from survivors of sexual violence in conflict inspires us, as they show incredible courage, why we should all stand up for survivors, with survivors. Sexual violence is something that no one has to face in any situation. Should not be faced. Yet we know. That in 2021, sadly, it was practiced in at least 18 countries. This must stop.
“Thanks to the guidance of survivors, working with many partners in the 10 years since we launched the Sexual Violence Prevention in Conflict initiative, we have made some good progress, but we must all recognize that more needs to be done to stop this heinous crime. , of war. including its use as a weapon. We know that support and justice for survivors are important and that the perpetrators of these crimes must be held fully accountable. We will accelerate this work globally by strengthening our response, so that we do what we do for survivors. The heart of being.
In a message from the conference, Angelina Jolie will say:
“When human beings are physically assaulted in this way, and in some countries for decades, there should be a decisive global response. When there isn’t, it sends a message to both the victim and the perpetrator that we really aren’t. This is a significant crime. So this conference should, in my view, take a hard look at what succeeded and what didn’t.
Dr. Mukwege, Medical Director of Panzi Hospital and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, said:
“The PSVI conference has been organized so that all of us attending London can hear the voices of survivors. This is not the first conference where survivors have demanded justice, but I hope it will be one of the last – we attend As we count to end wartime sexual violence.
“All of us are here today because of survivors. All of those attending this conference represent thousands of others who are waiting for care, justice and reparations. Too few survivors receive the comprehensive care – including justice – that they deserve. As survivors share their recommendations, requests and opinions, I pledge to everyone not only to listen to them but also to commit to supporting and acting on their demands.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad said:
“It is time to use every tool at our disposal: sanctions, international trials and universal jurisdiction to show that sexual violence in conflict will not be tolerated.
“We must think twice about the consequences of these crimes to state and non-state actors. Ending the status quo of impunity is essential to prevent people around the world from being subjected to experiences like mine.
Learn more about the PSVI Conference:
Conference Overview
Conference program
Foreign Secretary’s Inaugural Conference Speech
The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative strategy was launched during the conference
Platform for action promoting the rights and well-being of children born of conflict-related sexual violence launched during the conference
Media inquiries
Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk
Telephone 020 7008 3100
In the first instance contact the FCDO communication team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) and we will respond as soon as possible.
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