The UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has pledged to improve global responses to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and work towards its elimination, including her intention to pursue a new CRSV Convention. The UK aims to progress understanding of CRSV as a key global security issue and build momentum towards improved initiatives. This will include the consolidation of an international coalition of like-minded countries to steer onward action to prevent and respond to CRSV. The UK will build on its presidency of the UN Security Council to set out the issues and explore how and where initiatives could operate within the existing global architecture to strengthen international commitment to eliminating the use of sexual violence in conflict. Conflicts in Ukraine, northern Ethiopia, Myanmar and Iraq have drawn the issue into even sharper focus.
This Wilton Park conference is one of a number of discussions being held in the run up to the UK-hosted international Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) conference 28-30 November 2022. Through an exchange of good practice and lessons learned, the Wilton Park conference will consider which responses have worked well, areas of shortfall and what more is needed to build international momentum, ensuring that survivor insights and needs are central to action. We will explore campaigns such as the Mukwege Foundation’s ‘Red Line Initiative’ and proposals including a new international Convention.
In association with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Wilton Park reference number: WP2045
