In cooperation with the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and ESMT Berlin, the Global Perspectives Initiative hosted a panel discussion and reception with Aurora Prize Laureate Julienne Lusenge.

In conflict situations, women are often affected by violence and exploitation and particularly suffer from the destruction of social structures and livelihoods. Although internationally outlawed, sexual violence continues to be used as a weapon of war.

Last year, Julienne Lusenge was awarded the prestigious Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity for her courageous commitment to women’s rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She gave an impressive account of the situation in the DRC and of the work of the Fund for Congolese Women (FFC) and Women’s Solidarity for Inclusive Peace and Development (SOFEPADI), which she founded. SOFEPADI not only provides psychological and financial support to those affected, but also carries out education and prevention work for communities and trains lawyers and judges on the subject of SGBV.

Katja Keul, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, pointed out the importance of information for victims as well as the documentation of violence, without which the prosecution of perpetrators is be practically impossible. At the same time, she pointed out that violence is not a problem of the Global South, but a problem of war and conflict. This makes it all the more important to come together as an international community and break existing cycles of violence in conflict situations, thus giving future generations a chance for peace.

Watch the recording of the event in original language