Why are we doing this?

As a society, we exist to challenge sexism and sexual violence in all forms and believe all women deserve safety and dignity. We want to show our solidarity with survivors of CRSV and provide a safe space for conversations to be started.

What is CRSV?

In conflict, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is used as a weapon, often deliberate and strategic, to instil fear and breakdown communities. Conflict related SV can include rape, forced marriage, slavery, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

During conflict, women and girls are disproportionately vulnerable, attributed to pre-existing sexism, and the limited access to health services, shelters and safe spaces.

Though women account for around 95% of verified cases (UN), men and LGBTQI+ people are also affected by these brutalities.

The true scale of these horrific war crimes is hard to determine, as limited statistics exist, though UN estimates suggest that for each rape reported 10-20 cases go undocumented.

CRSV leaves a lasting scar in communities, affecting survivors’ physical, psychological and reproductive health and, due to stigma, survivors can feel isolated, manifesting generational cycles of trauma.

About our chosen charity

Founded in 1993, Women for women is a charity supporting survivors of war and conflict. Their objective is to bring women together, providing resources and support to rebuild communities. They have reached over 616,000 marginalised women and operate over 17 countries including South Sudan, Palestine, and the DRC. Their Conflict Response Fund works alongside credible local partners, responding to the critical needs of women survivors of war.

A bit about how we can help

Raising awareness surrounding this issue and starting conversations, this proves that the injustice survivors experience cannot and will not be ignored. Showing our support could reduce stigmatisation, encouraging other survivors to speak out and seek help.

The more people talk about it, the bigger the issue becomes and the harder it is to ignore.

Anything you can contribute makes an impact, turning your solidarity into real change!