Blog by Donatella Benjamin, SI UN Representative in Geneva.
“The Global Survivors Fund (“GSF”), for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, was officially inaugurated on 9th March 2022 in Geneva, in the presence of its founders Dr. Denis Mukwege and Ms. Nadia Murad, co-laureates of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. Why Geneva? Because the international city, home to the Human Rights Council, has a mission to play in developing our collective consciousness.
Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) refers to incidents or patterns of sexual violence against women and girls, boys and men, occurring in a conflict or post-conflict setting (women and children represent around 99% of victims). CRSV can take the forms of rape, forced sterilisation or sexual enslavement. It causes a cascade of consequences, including permanent physical injuries, long-term trauma, stigmatisation and broken family ties, as well as severe social and economic exclusion, leading to extreme poverty and isolation. Its consequences can impact generations.
“Conflict-related sexual violence is one of the worst violations of Human Rights, where women and children are the main target, in a climate of total impunity. Time has come to transfer shame and stigma from the shoulders of victims to the executioners, who are still welcomed on red carpets. Victims need mostly recognition and peace, as well as reparation to start to live again in dignity” said Dr. Denis Mukwege on the inauguration day of the Global Survivors Fund.
Women of all ages, children born of rape, are blamed, shamed, victims; they need recognition of the harm and of their suffering, help and assurance that it will not happen again, compensation to rebuild their lives.
Dr. Denis Mukwege
Dr. Denis Mukwege added: We’ve been working since our inception to show the world that reparations are possible and affordable for all. I often witness how survivors’ calls for reparations are met with indifference. Inaction is a choice – one that sides with injustice. The Fund chooses to act with and for survivors. It recognises survivors’ dignity, helps to transform their lives and heals their communities today – taking a leap closer to ending sexual violence as a weapon of war tomorrow.”
The Fund has already been operating for the last two years, with the objective to enhance access to reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence across the globe, mainly women and girls. While advocating for change, GSF supports victims and civil society in providing interim reparative measures, which have the potential to transform these women and children lives, in dignity. GSF raises awareness on the urgent need for state-awarded or judicial reparations, insisting that reparations are affordable, accessible and can truly meet survivors’ needs.
Ms. Nadia Murad
Ms. Nadia Murad also commented: “Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence share the immense suffering of all war survivors, but in addition they are ignored and suffer in silence, unsupported by their own communities and states. Compassion and condemnation from the international community is not enough. GSF is a changemaker for survivors: it listens to the voice of survivors, supports projects with survivors, works side-by-side with survivors and local organisations to bridge gaps so that survivors can access the reparations they rightly deserve.”
GSF hopes to engage with the international community and the civil society in its quest for transforming the international agenda and furthering justice, with measures which have a life-changing impact on women, their families and communities.
To know more, click here to read GSF news.”