SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

The Edinburghs

Countess of Wessex attends Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative conference

Yesterday, the Countess of Wessex attended a conference on the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative at Wilton Park – the executive agency of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The initiative was launched in 2012 and according to Buckingham Palace, “has since sought to raise awareness about the extent of sexual violence against women, men, girls and boys in conflict.

“Sexual violence continues to be used as a weapon of war in conflicts around the world, devastating the lives of individuals, families and communities.”

Her Royal Highness was welcomed by Lord Ahmad the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict before entering the conference to hear speakers discuss what the United Kingdom’s government is doing to combat sexual violence in conflict all over the world.

@RoyalFamily/Twitter

These speakers included an array of people in different areas including law, NGOs, governmental officers, and survivors of sexual violence.

Also on the discussion table was what can be done and how to curb sexual violence.

Buckingham Palace revealed that the Countess of Wessex has been meeting various “inspirational people” over the last several months who are working tirelessly to end sexual violence and respond to and help the victims. Meetings also took place with “those that have dedicated their lives to it, often at great personal risk to them and their families.”

This is not the first time Her Royal Highness has taken part in an event related to eradicating the heinous crime of sexual violence. Last year, she met Nobel Peace laureate Dr Denis Mukwege from the Democratic Republic of Congo who has worked to help victims in the country. She also attended the #PSVI Film Festival last autumn, meeting American actress and UN Special Envoy, Angelina Jolie and the Secretary of State for International Development and Minister for Women and Equalities, Penny Mordaunt.

Later in 2019, an international meeting on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict will take place in the United Kingdom in November.

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.