LONDON, June 19 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* newly appointed SpecialEnvoywill drive action to end the use of rape as a weapon of war * up to 30% of women and girls living in conflict zones face sexual violence * appointment comes after launch ofUK-ledinternational coalition to end violence against women and girls

Britain will continueto drive international action to preventsexual violencein conflict, following theappointmentof theMinisterfor Human Rights,Chris Elmoreasthe UKSpecialEnvoyforPreventing Sexual Violence in Conflicton theInternational Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Up to 30% of women and girls in conflict zones worldwide have experienced conflict-related sexual violence, whichis not only a grave human rights violation, buta threat to global peace,securityand prosperity.There are immense barriers to reporting, particularly in conflict zones, therefore these figures could be muchhigher in reality.

Men and boys are also affected, notably in Ukraine, where over two thirds of prisoners of war have experienced sexual violence, and inPalestine,where UN reporting has documented the use of sexual violence in detention settings.

In the UK's capacity asVice-Chair of the International Alliance for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict this year, Minister Elmore willplay a leading roleinstrengtheningglobal advocacy andin advancingtrauma-informed, survivor-centred approaches across the Alliance's prevention,protectionand accountability efforts.

Minister Elmore's appointmentinto theSpecialEnvoyrolefollowsthe Foreign Secretary'slaunchofa new UK-convenedInternational Coalition to End Violence against Women and Girls.The coalition is bringing countries together to scale up prevention and end this violence everywhere.

TheUKSpecialEnvoyon Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict,ChrisElmoreMPsaid:

"Conflict-related sexual violence is a grave human rights violation and a global threat to peace and security.Icommitto working with survivors, internationalpartnersand civil society around the world to drive actionto end these abhorrent crimesand hold perpetrators to account."

Notes toeditors:



The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflictseeksto recognise conflict-related sexual violence as a threat to international peace and security - and a potential war crime, crime against humanity, or an underlying act of genocide. For survivors, this day can act as an important moment of global recognition, challenging the stigma that too often silences those with lived experience of this issue, reaffirming their right to be heard and to access justice and support.

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.