From 10-13 June 2014, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy for the UNHCR will co-host the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. The Summit, to be held in London, will be the largest international gathering ever held on the issue of sexual violence in conflict.

The Summit aims to support progress in four areas:
• Improving investigations/documentation of sexual violence in conflict,
• Providing greater support and reparation for survivors,
• Ensuring promotion of gender equality is fully integrated in all peace and security efforts,
• Improving international strategic coordination.

Over 140 States will participate in the Global Summit including all those which endorsed the 2013 Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.  More than 1,500 delegates, including government officials, international organization representatives, and a broad range of domestic and international experts from legal, military, humanitarian, academic and civil society sectors, will participate in this unprecedented conference.

The Summit is comprised of three event-streams: the fringe festival; the expert programme; and the ministerial meeting.

The Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice is involved in several events during the Global Summit. On Wednesday 11 June, the Women’s Initiatives will host a panel on the challenges and progress towards gender justice in northern Uganda. This event will include testimonies from two young women formerly abducted by the LRA who will share their experience of survival within the militia group and ultimately their escape from the LRA, as well as their current work as advocates for other abductees and child soldiers.

Staff and partners of the Women’s Initiatives will also participate in other panels during the expert meeting on 11 June and the fringe events on 12 June. More details to follow.

Read about the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Read the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Follow us in the lead up to and during the Global Summit on Twitter, where we will live tweet select events @4GenderJustice, and on Facebook.

Image credit: preventsexualviolenceinconflict.tumblr.com