A Time To Act - Combating Sexual Violence in Syria and Iraq

A Panel Discussion and Lunchtime Roundtables 

#SGBVandconflict

As part of our mandate, the American Red Cross hosts events to educate the American public about International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and related issues. As part of this year’s event series, the American Red Cross, the American University Washington College of Law War Crimes Research Office, The George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs Global Gender Program, Physicians for Human Rights and the Washington Working Group on the International Criminal Court are organizing an event to discuss the increased use of sexual violence by state and non-state actors.

The purpose of this event is to shed light on pressing issues regarding International Humanitarian Law, complex emergencies, and sexual violence, with a particular focus on the atrocities committed by ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Our goal is not only to bring these issues to the forefront of the public debate but also discuss potential solutions to address them.

The panel discussion will be recorded and streamed live to encourage dialogue from all over the country and world. Online participants can send in questions or comments ahead of time and during the event by using the hashtag #SGBVandconflict  

Agenda

10:00 am -12:00 pm: Moderated Panel Discussion

Speakers In Order of Appearance:

Dr. Aisling Swaine - Associate Professor of Practice of International Affairs, George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs

Sucharita S.K. Varanasi, JD - MediCapt Project Manager & Senior Program Officer, Physicians for Human Rights

Jane Stromseth - Deputy to the Ambassador, Office of Global Criminal Justice, U.S. Department of State

Sunjeev Bery- Advocacy Director, Middle East North Africa, Amnesty International USA

Moderator:

Susana SáCouto- Director, War Crimes Research Office, American University Washington College of Law

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Lunch & Facilitated Roundtable Discussions

You are invited to join a facilitated lunchtime discussion to brainstorm solution to address specific problems within the overall topic.  Current topics and confirmed moderators include:

1) What would a campaign that engages grassroots and diaspora to combat human rights abuses look like? (Discussion led by Sunjeev Bery, Amnesty International) Only 2 seats left at this table. 

2) What role can mobile technology play in documenting sexual violence in conflict? (Discussion led by Sucharita S.K. Varanasi, Physicians for Human Rights) Only 2 seats left at this table. 

3) Do the protections in the Geneva Convention adequately address sexual violence in conflict? (Discussion led by Christie Edwards, American Red Cross) This table is currently full.

4) How can the US and the global community give greater protection to refugees fleeing the threat of sexual violence in Iraq and Syria? (Discussion led by Joan Timoney, Women’s Refugee Commission) One seat left at this table.

5) How can we combat stigma to prosecute and treat SGBV? (Discussion led by Emily Hooker, Vital Voices)    This table is currently full.

6) How can we use technology to prevent the radicalization of young men as a consequence of military intervention in Syria and Iraq? (Discussion led by Katie Striffolino, Physicians for Human Rights) Only 2 seats left at this table.

7) How can we engage young men in the campaign to end sexual violence? (Discussion led by Omar Robles, Women's Refugee Commission) This table is currently full.

8) How we can support greater psychological care and reintegration for survivors of sexual violence in conflict? (Discussion led by Ann Willhoite, Center for Victims of Torture) One seat left at this table.

9) What is the effect of sexual violence on children born of rape? (Discussion led by Kimberly Theidon, Wilson Center) Only 2 seats left at this table

10) What needs to be done to ensure that peacekeepers, military and newly reintegrated militia are part of the solution instead of the problem regarding sexual violence? (Discussion led by Capt. Jonathan Shapiro, JAGC, US Navy) Only 3 seats left at this table.

* Please make a note of your top 2 or 3 choices for the lunch roundtable as you will be asked to list them in registration on the next page. In the event someone drops and a seat opens up at a currently full table, we will open that space up again. 

Register Now!