November 16, 2021 — In response to the Foreign Secretary's new campaign on tackling sexual violence in conflict, Laura Kyrke Smith, UK Executive Director for the International Rescue Committee, said:
"Today’s announcement by the Foreign Secretary of a campaign to end the sexual violence that women and girls face in conflict is very welcome and timely.
Women and girls account for the vast majority of recorded victims of conflict. Covid-19 has compounded an issue that was already pervasive, isolating victims and slowing judicial proceedings to allow impunity for crimes to go unchecked.
This campaign has the potential to transform hundreds of thousands of lives. Putting women and girls at the heart of UK foreign policy in this way is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do."