{UAH} GLOBAL SUMMIT TO END SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT OPENS IN LONDON
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Global Summit to end sexual violence in conflict opens in London
Photo of UNHCR Angelina Jolie with British Foreign Sec. William Hague during the opening ceremony of the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict
(Photo courtesy of YouTube/Foreign & Commonwealth Office)
London, June 11 -- The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict kicked off in London on Tuesday (June 10), with British Foreign Secretary William Hague and UN special envoy Angelina Jolie co-hosting the opening ceremony.
Aiming to end the sexual violence and shatter the culture of impunity for sexual violence in conflict zones, the three-day summit is expected to welcome governments from over 100 countries, more than 900 experts, religious leaders and representatives from NGOs as well as international organizations across the world.
The summit is the biggest ever international meeting focus on this issue.
"We are convinced this is an issue of international peace and security, that is central to conflict prevention, that it is fundamental to the advancement of women's rights everywhere, and above all that it is a moral issue for our generation," said William Hague on the opening ceremony.
Hague said as few of those sexual violence in conflicts have been punished as the culture of impunity, leading this kind of crimes still continue in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
"This whole subject has been taboo for far too long. War zone rape is a crime that thrives on silence and denial. The stigma harms survivors, it causes feelings of shame and worthlessness. ... This evil will continue, ruing the lives of millions of people, unless we make this summit a turning point," said Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, also the special envoy of United Nations.
She and Hague launched a declaration of commitment to end sexual violence in conflict on September 24 last year in New York, which has been sending message to those who underwent sexual violence in conflict zones that the international community has never forgotten them and those criminals will be sanctioned by justice
"We must work together in new and unprecedented ways, across borders, religions, bringing governments and people together, and tackling the problem in every possible.... We can end the use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war once and for all." She added.
On the first day of the summit, the Department for International Development of Britain announced it would provide new assistance to help survivors and prevent sexual violence by investing 5 million pounds (8 million U.S dollars).
During the summit, attendances will take part in discussions about the issues and give addresses and hold meetings.
An international protocol, containing how to document and investigate sexual violence, and collect information and evidence to bring perpetrators to justice will be launched during the summit, said Hague, adding that the summit will also urge countries to strengthen laws, train soldiers and peace-keepers to ensure vulnerable people\'s lives, as well as raise funds for those conflict-affected countries and women and girls who in need, said Hague. (PNA/Xinhua) (Photo courtesy of YouTube/Foreign & Commonwealth Office)
Author: www.pna.gov.ph
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