Sexual, gender based violence in armed conflicts 3 years after UN Security Council Resolution 1820: what can be done to strengthen women’s political participation?

While war certainly exposes everybody concerned to severe suffering, women and girls are, however, often affected in a particularly cruel way. Sexual and gender based violence is a serious obstacle to many ongoing peace processes in the world. This is why, on the occasion of the 3rd anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1820 on Women, Peace and Security, it is high time to turn rhetoric into action. But what kind of support for survivors is needed and which measures must be taken by local governments and the international community? How can the EU contribute to the fight against sexual, gender based violence in armed conflicts and help to improve women’s role in the peace building process?

In order to discuss this, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union Office cordially invites you to a debate with a group of local women activists from Afghanistan, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Kongo, who are part of the medica mondiale project “Political Participation of Women”. The speakers will present recent developments and undertakings of their national governments. Achievements and failures of international politics in regard to women in armed conflicts will be reviewed before broaching the issue of EU-funded Peace Building Projects.