On 6 November, at the Jesuit Curia in Rome, JRS and the UK Embassy to the Holy See hosted an international symposium tackling the urgent issue of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), which is rising sharply in many parts of the world, impacting particularly women and girls.

To effectively address sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), education for both girls and boys is crucial. In light of this, the half-day meeting titled, “Tackling Conflict-Related Sexual Violence through Education: A Faith-Based Approach” convened representatives from faith-based organisations, institutions, experts, and women survivors of GBV. The meeting aimed to raise awareness and present educational programmes as effective methods for both preventing and responding to GBV in conflict settings.

“The ongoing human rights crisis of sexual violence in conflict has allowed for a culture of impunity to be established, protecting perpetrators, and exacerbating the suffering of millions worldwide. To break this cycle, it is necessary for us all to put forward a shared commitment to providing support through education and unhindered access to victims,” Br Michael Schöpf SJ, JRS International Director.

With over 100 active conflicts globally, conflict-related sexual violence and gender-based violence have become an urgent crisis, impacting vulnerable and displaced communities disproportionately. Today, more than 612 million women and girls live under the shadow of conflict, including in Sudan, Ukraine, Gaza, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Haiti.

The symposium featured powerful voices, with a keynote address delivered by Victor Setibo, JRS Country Director in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where JRS has developed innovative projects to support survivors, including education and community training.

“We are living in a very broken world. Who could have imagined that in this 21st century, we would still be struggling with damaging and devastating conflicts, and we would still wrestle with a vast scale of inhuman treatment toward others? The root causes of sexual violence, and its consequences, are still spread all over the world. So let us work together through education and community-based programs to prevent and respond to SGBV, for a better world; a world where everyone’s voice is heard and human dignity is respected,” Victor commented.

At the end of the event, representatives of faith-based organisations signed up to the Declaration of Humanity by Leaders of Faith and Leaders of Belief, which unites faiths in the mission to prevent CRSW, denounce the stigma faced by survivors, and highlight their value and dignity.