brussels: international symposium on sexual and gender based violence in conflict situations

The International Symposium on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Beyond, to be held June 21-23 in Brussels, Belgium, will be the first major international assembly dedicated exclusively to the issue of sexual violence among war-affected populations. Sponsored by the Government of Belgium and the European Commission, and convened by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, the three-day meeting will raise awareness among international actors and the public about the enormous impact of such war-related violence by highlighting the social, cultural and development costs of sexual violence and the benefits of prevention and care. Through knowledge sharing, mobilization of political and financial support, and development of comprehensive national action plans, the Symposium will also be a vehicle for ensuring that measures to prevent and address sexual violence are integrated into all humanitarian response and recovery and development programming.

Participants will include policy makers, parliamentarians, donor representatives, representatives from UN agencies, NGOs and the media, and delegations from the following conflict and post-conflict countries and territories: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Central African Republic, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Indonesia, Liberia, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan (North and South), and Uganda.

For more information: Karin Heisecke, Programme Coordination Officer, United Nations Population fund Brussels Office. Karin.heisecke@unfpa.be; +32 2 5501832 or UNRIC (21-23 June)