Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict – the view from Paris

For far too long, rape and sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war, particularly against women. It makes conflict worse, it prolongs the effects of conflict, and it makes reconciliation far more difficult. Two years ago my Foreign Secretary William Hague, working with Angelina Jolie, who is the UN Special Envoy on these issues, decided to mobilise world opinion against this terrible practice. 

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They launched a declaration of engagement against the use of sexual violence at the UN last year and we now have 148 countries who have signed up. William Hague now wants to take it on to the next stage, by holding a huge, global summit on the issue in London, from 10th – 13th June. 

His aim is to get round the table not just governments, although they will all be there, but also judicial figures, military, civil society, anyone who can bring testimony to bear or can help us to find solutions – because our emphasis is going to be on practical solutions, changing legislation where we can, changing a culture of impunity, which has in too many countries allowed these crimes to escape without punishment. We want to see an end to this practice, we think the time to act is now. 

We’re working closely with France on these issues, and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has been very supportive and indeed signed up to the declaration last year. It forms part of a wider agenda of equality and women’s’ rights. Just before our summit I know that Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem will be hosting a global women’s summit here in Paris, and we’re working very closely with France on that. All of these issues are linked.