Are you free on the evening of 27 May? Do you want to help end sexual violence?

We will be screening the documentary, “War on Women” at the Caixa Forum in Madrid on 27 May. Entrance is free but you have to register with us. This link gives you all the details.

“War on Women” is a powerful film by Argentinian director Hernan Zin. It tells the personal stories of several women, all of them victims of sexual violence in conflicts across the globe. It is a remarkable, shocking and deeply moving piece of documentary film-making.

We are showing it as part of our preparations for the Global Summit on Preventing Sexual Violence to be hosted by British Foreign Secretary William Hague and UNHCR Special Representative Angelina Jolie in London next month. The summit will be a landmark moment in bringing an end to the culture of impunity for crimes of sexual violence.

It will not just be a summit of governments. It will bring together a range of agencies, NGOs and representatives of civil society. All of them committed to achieving lasting change. The summit should lay the foundations for an international protocol which will outlaw the use of rape as a weapon of war. More importantly, it will help change global perspectives on this appalling act.

William Hague says that foreign policy has to be about improving the human condition. Our work on PSVI is a good example of trying to meet that aspiration. Here in Spain we in the Embassy have been working hard with the Spanish government, the UN and civil society to help raise awareness ahead of the London summit. We are a strong and determined coalition. If you want to be part of our collective effort do join us next Tuesday night and help us bring an end to sexual violence.