Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and I co-hosted a Dialogue on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict at Parliament House yesterday. It was well timed, just a week before the London summit from 10-13 June. Julie is one of 14 global champions for the PSVI initiative, including presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers from a diverse range of countries.
In her opening remarks the Foreign Minister paid tribute to William Hague’s initiative in propelling this important issue to the forefront of the international agenda. She will be represented in London by Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja. Ms Bishop announced that $3.3 million of Australia’s $17.7 million program to help end violence against women in Afghanistan will support the Afghan Women’s Network.
In my speech I described our ambitious plans for the London summit, which will be the largest ever international gathering on the subject. We want the summit to deliver international agreement on specific practical actions: improving investigation and documentation of sexual violence crimes; greater support for survivors; better integration of responses to sexual violence into peace and security efforts; and improved international strategic co-ordination. Participating countries will be invited to join the new International Protocol on the Investigation and Documentation of Sexual Violence in Conflict which will be launched at the summit.
There were also excellent presentations from Professor Hilary Charlesworth, a top international law expert from the Australian National University and Maj Gen Gus McLachlan of the Australian Army, followed by a stimulating day of discussion with an array of experts from government and civil society. In the run up to next week’s summit our Embassies and High Commissions all around the world will be staging events to highlight the importance of action to tackle these dreadful crimes against women and girls. Follow them on #timetoact.