UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Tuesday launched a major global campaign to stop sexual violence against women and girls in conflict around the world.
Speaking at an event for the Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC) – established under the UK’s G7 Presidency to support women and girls around the world – the foreign secretary, who is also the UK’s minister for women and equalities, kick started a major new push by the UK to shatter the culture of impunity around the use of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war.
She is bringing together close partners to condemn rape and sexual violence in conflict as a “red line”. All options are on the table, including an international convention, to end such heinous acts once and for all, according to a press release.
“In conflicts around the world women and girls continue to face horrific sexual violence, with rape repeatedly used as a weapon of war,” Truss said in the release.
“Women and girls across the world should live without fear of violence, with access to education and employment, and the chance to reach their full potential,” she added.
The foreign secretary also announced Tuesday that the UK will host a global conference next year to unite the world in action to prevent sexual violence in conflict.
The conference will bring together foreign ministers from all over the world in support of the campaign to end impunity for violence against women and girls.
She also announced £18 million in new funding to end child marriage through partners UNICEF and UNFPA. The funding will benefit women and girls in 12 countries, including Bangladesh.
There will also be a £3 million boost to organisations on the frontline of tackling violence against women and girls, and £1.4 million of new funding for the Global Survivors Fund.
The announcements are the start of a wider move by the foreign secretary to ensure women and girls are at the centre of the UK’s foreign policy priorities.