Rape and sexual violence has been a part of war as far back as we know. It occurs both as a consequence of conflict but is also used as a weapon in itself. It is civilians (all sexes and ages) who suffer the most . We do not think this is inevitable. It’s time to act to stop it. We have posted before about our campaign to address this culture of impunity for sexual violence and replace it with accountability. And we will not stop talking about it.
This Monday in Brazil we are jointly hosting an event with the University of Brasilia and Secretaria Especial de Políticas para Mulheres on sexual violence . Brazil has been facing up to this problem domestically with outreach programmes and the Lei Maria da Penha. Internationally it brings experience of dealing with issues around sexual violence from 10 years of peacekeeping work through MINUSTAH in Haiti.
It has already shared its experiences via training many nations at O Centro Conjunto de Operações de Paz do Brasil in Rio (CCOPAD) and directly with police forces in Guinea Bissau. At the UN, Brazil supported the UN General Assembly declaration in 2013 against the use of sexual violence in conflict. This is why we want to work with Brazil on this issue. Brazil has a lot of experience the world can learn from.
This week we are also taking our #TimeToAct campaign further. In London the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict will be hosted by Angelina Jolie and William Hague from 10-13 June 2014. The Summit will be the largest international event ever held on the issue of sexual violence in conflict. We want this Summit to be the moment that the world wakes up and says that sexual violence is not an inevitable part of war.
We want the Summit to deliver a set of practical agreements that bring together and focus the efforts of conflict and post conflict-affected countries, donors, the UN and other multilateral organisations, NGOs and civil society in an ambitious and cohesive programme for change. Ambitious? Yes! Change needs ambition. You can follow the Summit here from 10 June.
What can you do? Make your voice heard. Show your support or the campaign by tweeting our hashtag , blogging, liking. Be part of the global voice saying it is time to act on sexual violence in conflict. It is #TimeToAct.