Statement of Holy See

Helping women to bring healing to the world by addressing the causes and consequences of war and violence also means protecting them in that vital mission. The nearly 50 conflicts raging in various parts of the world today call upon us to concentrate our efforts on the plight of women and girls in violent situations. Women who have fallen victim to violence must be helped to overcome the stigma and shame to which they are being subjected in some societies, and they must be allowed to seek justice. It is so much more difficult for women to sustain their families and care for their family members who have been maimed by violence if their own wounds are not being treated and the injustices that they have suffered are not being remedied. With so much money available for weapons, cannot the world spare resources to compensate for the loss of life and limb in the families and homes of those innocent victims, so as to help them overcome the ravages of conflict and enable them to become peacemakers?