Yesterday the Permanent Mission of Sweden in Geneva co-hosted, together with Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre) and Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), a roundtable discussion on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in conflict settings. The event brought together representatives from several governments, SGBV and legal experts from NGOs and UN agencies.
Sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) is pervasive and is exacerbated in conflict and humanitarian emergencies. Sweden is committed to the Call to Action Against Gender-based Violence in Emergencies, which incorporates the broader perspective of all humanitarian emergencies. Since 2014, Sweden has pursued a feminist foreign policy that applies a systematic gender perspective throughout its foreign policy, including peace, security, trade, humanitarian and development efforts. Without the inclusion of and respect for all, sustainable peace can never be achieved.