Well. This has been the most inspiring, frustrating, overwhelming, depressing and hopeful few days. I hope to collect my thoughts for you on it next week. For now, the third (and last) plenary at the Nobel Women’s Initiative conference on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict starts at 10:00AM ET (give or take a few minutes) today, and I’ll be liveblogging it right here. I really hope you’ll join in the conversation.
Here’s the description of our charge for this session:
What does a survivor-centered strategy look like? How are women activists on the frontline defending and surviving violence and risk? This panel is meant to spark discussions around possibilities and approaches for a comprehensive response for women activists and survivors of sexual violence in conflict. By drawing the links between trauma, justice, health, livelihoods, security and reconciliation, participants reflect on what is needed to support women in finding their voice and reclaiming their lives to forge a new security.
And here are the featured presenters:
Moderator: Lisa VeneKlasen – Just Associates, USA
Speakers:
Wangu Kanja – Wangu Kanja Foundation, Kenya
Shereen Essof – Just Associates Southern Africa, South Africa
Parvin Najafgholi – Iranian Women Cultural Center and One Million Signatures campaign, Iran
Patricia Ardon – Sinergia N’oj, Guatemala
And here’s the liveblog!
You can also follow me tweeting from the conference this morning (including from a conversation with the Nobel Laureates at 9:15am) at @jaclynf, and follow the conference hashtag on twitter at #endrapeinwar. And don’t forget — we’re all taking action together tomorrow.