Approximately 2 billion people live in conflict-affected areas, and 175 million people are estimated to live in areas controlled by armed groups and de facto authorities (AGDAs), and many live in contexts where peacekeeping forces are present. In most areas of armed conflict, sexual violence is widespread and used by many armed actors as a tactical strategy against civilian populations, despite clear prohibitions under international humanitarian and human rights law against the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence in armed conflict. Disproportionately, survivors of sexual violence are often women, girls, and sexual and gender minorities. Systemic gender discrimination also plays a significant role in the structural environment that allows sexual violence to occur, frequently with impunity, and the intersectional identities of marginalized and vulnerable civilians often lead to further risks and experiences of harm.
This panel will feature speakers who work with a wide variety of actors, including AGDAs, peacekeeping forces, and affected communities, to ensure the protection of civilians on preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict.
Photo Credit for ICRC, Alyona Synenko
Featured Speakers
Colleen Crenwelge, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, U.S. Department of State
Christie Edwards, Head of Policy, Programmes, and Legal, Geneva Call
Lisa Sharland, Senior Fellow and Director of the Protecting Civilians and Human Security Program, Stimson Center
Anny T. Modi, Executive Director, AFIA MAMA (Virtually)
Moderator
Christian Jorgensen, Legal Counsel, American Red Cross