On 13 November, in collaboration with the association Stand Speak Rise Up! and ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the European Judicial Training Network held a special Lunchtime Webinar, which focused on sexual violence against women in armed conflict. Nearly 200 participants from more than 18 countries gathered online to hear insights on this important topic.
In 2023, the number of cases of sexual violence against women in armed conflict increased by 50%, and the number of girls suffering grave violations in armed conflict increased by 35%, according to the United Nations. Recent conflicts demonstrate that the use of this form of genocide still continues.
Chékéba Hachemi, co-founder of Stand Speak Rise Up! said in her opening remarks, delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg. In her intervention, she highlighted the role of the Stand Speak Rise Up! acting as a “midwife“, with the survivors being the real heroes.
Ms Hachemi shared the history and impact of Stand Speak Rise Up! with webinar participants, explaining that the association supports survivors of sexual violence in finding employment within their communities, offering them the chance to achieve economic independence and reintegrate into society. To date, more than 6,000 women worldwide have benefited from this support.
Professor Vaios Koutroulis, the expert of the webinar, explained the concept of war rape as a form of genocide, drawing on international texts and case law on this subject. He discussed the influence of human rights on sexual violence and its shift toward reproductive violence. Professor Koutroulis also stressed that rape during armed conflict is unequivocally prohibited under the substantive rules of International Humanitarian Law. At the same time, human rights law remains applicable in situations of armed conflict and likewise forbids rape and sexual violence. These prohibitions have since been codified as international crimes.
Charles-Eric Clesse, Deputy Director of the Belgium Judicial Training Institute moderated the webinar. In his intervention, Mr Clesse highlighted that rape used as a weapon of war can be considered a weapon of mass destruction, primarily targeting women. This form of violence is genocidal in nature, as it aims to destroy people by attacking its foundation, women. However, Mr Clesse reminded that women are not the only victims: according to a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 68% of the victims of sexual violence in the Ukrainian conflict are men.
To learn more about Stand Speak Rise Up!, visit their website.
For more information on the EJTN Lunchtime Webinars, visit here.
