The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict
Written by: Shafferan Sonneveld
“We call for disarmament. We call for implementation of a progressive Arms Trade Treaty. States must make their due diligence investigations open and transparent. If States are serious about building women's engagement in all levels of decision-making, as called for in CEDAW, SCRs 1325 and 2122, then now is the time to commit to stop selling arms to perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence!”
- Excerpt from WILPF's Advocacy Statement for the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict
Between June 10-13 2014, the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict - the largest ever gathering of its kind - will be held to shed light on the grave issue of sexual violence in conflict. WILPF will participate with an international delegation of 33 women strong. Our delegation consists of women human rights advocates and experts on the issue at stake, representing countries across the MENA Region, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Colombia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nigeria and more. As an advisor to the initiative, WILPF's Secretary General Madeleine Rees has been invited to speak as an expert at the expert day sessions on June 11.
Co-chaired by Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom William Hague and Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Angelina Jolie, the Summit is divided into the government programme and the Summit Fringe events. Join us in London at the three Summit Fringe events that we are hosting:
June 10 5.30 PM - The Impact of the Escalating Culture of Violence on the Lives of Women in Syria
June 11 2-5 PM - The Whistleblower Film Screening and Discussion about Exploitation and Trafficking
June 11 5.30 - 7 PM - Gender and War: Impact and Solutions
Be part of the movement and change your Facebook cover photo to the one below to show your support to prevent sexual violence in conflict. You can also tweet with us live at events via @Peace_Women using #TimeToAct. For more information on WILPF's participation at the Summit take a look at the WILPF International website.
