Britain, men and women
religious, together champion the same cause
 |
| Britain's Ambassador to the Holy See, explains the initiative against sexual violence in conflict launched in 2014. |
Since 2012, Britain has been “championing the moral issue”
of sexual violence used as a weapon in conflict zones through three strategies
which the British Ambassador to the Holy See explains.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp
The British government has been actively combating sexual
violence against women in conflict zones since 2012. A Film Festival held in
London last week, and a panel discussion in Rome, are two recent events held to
raise awareness.
Sr Bernadette Reis spoke with Sally Axworthy, the British
Ambassador to the Holy See. She discusses three concrete areas
that Britain is working on to end sexual violence in conflict.
Collaborating with the Catholic Church through the network of religious men and
women is an essential part of their strategy.
Initiative is born
The British government’s initiative targeting sexual
violence toward women in conflict began in 2012. Ambassador Axworthy said, “it
was born out of concern about what had happened in Bosnia where the UN
estimates around 60,000 women were raped”. It was kicked off with a global
conference in 2014 at which Angelina Jolie and former Foreign Secretary William
Hague spoke.
Legal reform
Three strategies were identified and have since been
developed and implemented. “The first is trying to get justice and support for
survivors”, Axworthy explained. These efforts include making sure this crime
against women is recognized through legal reform and that perpetrators are
brought to justice. Several cases have been successfully prosecuted in both
Bosnia and the Congo, she said.
Stigma
Tackling stigma is the second goal. “When people are victims
of sexual violence, they don’t just suffer on the day” the Ambassador
continued. Many victims are ostracized by their families and communities. In
addition, she said, “they might be blamed for what’s happened. They might have
children as a result of the sexual violence.” With the help of experts, the
British government has created a document and funds projects in the hopes of
changing this component of the tragedy suffered by so many women.
Prevention
The Ambassador said that prevention is perhaps the most
difficult of the three strategies. British troops serving overseas, and
military and police in other countries around the world have received training
in this area. Many of them belong to forces serving as peace keepers in
conflict zones. These forces have been sensitized to the issue and taught how
to respond to it.
Empowering women
When asked why Britain has embraced this issue, the
Ambassador explained that Britain “is very keen to champion moral issues like
this one…. It is an abuse of human rights, specifically the human rights of
women. Our foreign policy is very focused on promoting and empowering women and
girls. That’s why we’re interested and we’re really trying to do our best to
change the situation with sexual violence being used as a weapon of war.”
Britain recognizes that it is a global problem requiring a global solution.
Axworthy said that the British government is working with “many, many other countries”,
primarily those experiencing conflict.
Pastoral support of victims
The Ambassador concluded saying that the British government
also considers the Catholic Church as a partner in this campaign. She said that
religious orders have collaborated with them. They provide the “pastoral
support of victims. That’s obviously something we can’t do, but we recognize
their contribution.” The British government trains these religious especially
regarding the “accountability mechanisms”: prosecuting perpetrators, preserving
evidence, and forming cases. “We’re a good fit”, the Ambassador said. “We do
different things, but together we can be more effective.”
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