Today, thousands of girls and women raped and impregnated in armed conflict are routinely denied critically needed abortions in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma and Sudan, despite hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid made available to victims in conflict.

(In progress) and thank you for your patience. I appreciate greatly being here for this important conference as part of the Community of Democracies beginning its second decade. And I want to acknowledge those who are on the podium with me.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Democratic Republic of Congo has become infamous as the rape capital of the world.

New reports have emerged that at least 60 women were raped over a couple of days in a group of villages in South Kivu province in the east of the country earlier this month.

The rapes are said to have occurred in an area where former rebels who had been integrated into the army deserted and turned against the local population.

Civil Society Organizations advise AU Member States on how youth can contribute to sustainable development and peace and security in Africa

The 18th GIMAC Pre-Summit, a Shadow Event to the African Union Summit, will focus on the key issues affecting the youths in Africa and will bring recommendations at the AU Head of States Summit.

Last Friday's recommendation to give the incumbent U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon another five-year term drew the international community's attention to another opaque, non- democratic process that is the hallmark of the 15-member Security Council's decision-making.

The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) is presently soliciting contributions for the third Conflict Trends Issue of 2011 (CT 2011, Issue 3). This will be a Special Issue of Conflict Trends focusing on the 'Nexus between Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding'. We welcome submissions on articles that aim to enhance this discussion on the nexus between peacekeeping and peacebuilding in Africa.

Every year, 26 June marks the day to remember and renew our support to those who have been victims of torture worldwide. A day in support of victims of torture mandates to review which steps were accomplished in the past year to bring torture to an end.

To All Who Defend the Rights to Food and Health, Peasant Farmers' Rights, Women's Rights, Indigenous Peoples' Rights, All who believe in Environmental, Climate, Social and Economic Justice, and All who seek an End to Militarization of Rural Communities:

Individuals, non-governmental organizations, groups and networks are invited to submit written communications -including, but not limited to, complaints, appeals and petitions-to the Commission on the Status of Women with information pertaining to alleged injustices and human rights violations against women in any country.