Let’s recognise the role of women in conflict prevention and peace-building | Policy Review
On the eve of the largest global meeting ever convened to discuss and take action on sexual violence in conflict, starting on 11 June in London, the international community should take a moment to recognise that some progress has been made in tackling this abuse. But the delegates assembled in London should also look at the broader picture—both the wider range of harm inflicted on women caught in conflict and on the role women can play in addressing these problems and securing peace and justice, writes Liesl Gerntholtz.
Human Rights Watch first documented rape in war more than two decades ago. Since then, the international community has recognized the prevalence of sexual violence in conflict situations and taken important steps to address it. Rape in conflict is now prosecuted as a war crime and a crime against humanity. The United Nations Security Council passed a landmark resolution in 2008 expressing its willingness to “adopt appropriate steps” to address widespread or systematic sexual violence.
