- More than 50 countries have signed a UK-led declaration to
end the scourge of sexual violence in conflict.
- Around 40 countries, including the UK, have also made
national commitments outlining the steps they will take to tackle
sexual violence in conflict.
- On the first day of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in
Conflict conference (Monday 29 November) the First Lady of
Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, said sexual violence is being used
“systematically and openly”.
More than 50 countries and the UN have agreed urgent action to
end sexual violence in conflict, by signing up to a new
declaration at a UK-hosted summit this week.
The countries agreed to take action to address triggers such as
gender inequality, remove the stigma faced by victims, and make
sure national laws are in place to prosecute perpetrators.
Around 40 countries, including Colombia, Bosnia & Herzegovina
and Japan have also gone further, and set out national
commitments on the practical steps they will take to tackle these
crimes and make a difference on the ground.
For example, Nigeria has committed to champion the Murad Code, a
UK-backed code of conduct to ensure that the experiences of
survivors of sexual violence in conflict are documented ethically
and effectively.
The USA has committed $10 million over two years to support civil
society organisations to document sexual violence in conflict in
line with the Murad Code.
President Biden has also issued a memorandum setting out the
USA’s intention to promote accountability for conflict-related
sexual violence, including through economic sanctions, visa
restrictions, and additional measures and authorities.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reports of sexual
violence committed by Russian soldiers against civilians
escalated. In addition, assessments conducted in Moldova, Poland,
and Romania revealed high risks of organised trafficking and
sexual exploitation and abuse of women and children.
Foreign Secretary said:
“Rape in war violates international values as severely as the
use of chemical weapons. We must hold perpetrators to account and
deliver justice for those affected.
“By signing this declaration, we are clear that sexual
violence in conflict is a line that should never be crossed. Now
is the time to take real action globally to end this horrific
crime.”
When opening the conference, the Foreign Secretary announced
a three-year strategy to tackle sexual violence in
conflict which will be backed by up to £12.5 million of new
funding.
Minister of State at the Foreign Commonwealth &
Development Office and the Prime Minister’s Special
Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord
(Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said:
“In the last 10 years, we have come a long way, but we know
that much more must be done, both to help survivors and to
prevent others from suffering such violence. Rape, torture,
sexual violence is real, it is happening today. It is a shocking
reality of our world in 2022.
“Our aim is to make a long-lasting, tangible change in the
lives of survivors, while preventing others from going through
similar horrific ordeals in the future. We owe it to the
courageous survivors who are an inspiration to us all.”
Representatives from around 40 countries attended the two-day
conference in London, which brought the international community
together to take action to end these horrific crimes.
The conference heard from survivors whose moving testimony
demonstrated how sexual violence in war and conflict can shatter
lives.
[ENDS]
Notes to editors
Countries are being asked to sign up to the political declaration
(see document attached). More countries will be signing up
throughout the day.
The UK’s announcements can be found here
Foreign Secretary’s opening speech is here
The UK’s new Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Strategy can
be found here
