A global summit to end sexual violence in conflict situations opened in London on Tuesday with UN special envoy Angelina Jolie calling upon the international community to “shatter that culture of impunity and make justice the norm, not the exception, for these crimes.”
The summit is being attended by government representatives, over 900 experts, and representatives of international organisations. The summit is expected to agree actions to end the use of rape as a weapon of war.
UK Foreign secretary William Hague said, “From the abolition of slavery to the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty, we have shown that the international community can tackle vast global problems in a way that was once considered to be impossible.”
Jolie said, “We need political will. We need all armies, peacekeeping troops and police forces to have prevention of sexual violence in conflict as part of their training.”
The summit is the fruit of a two-year campaign by Jolie and Hague. Almost 150 governments have endorsed a declaration of commitment to end sexual violence in conflict.