Youth Delegates: "Sexual Violence Should Not Be A Taboo Issue"

Following the four-day Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, World Vision's three Youth Delegates share their stories about visiting London, being part of a global debate and what they will take back with them to their own communities to further the fight against sexual violence.

Babra, Youth Delegate from Uganda

Babra is a youth mobiliser in her community.

I want to thank the government of the UK and World Vision for organizing my attendance at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.

I am very proud that today that I am here in the UK. In my country I have had many challenges in my life, but since World Vision came to my community, they have rubbed away the pain I had and have brought happiness.

I have learned very many things: this conference has been so great and I have had many new experiences. For example, young people like the other Youth Delegates here really pay attention to what I have to say and listen to me, I like that so much.

They have shown me a lot of respect. The other youth delegates co-operate with me and together we have come up with many good ideas for ending sexual violence in conflict. 

I have been working on making policy recommendations for ending sexual violence in conflict. For example, I believe the international community has to join hands with national governments and support them to spread these ideas at the national levels. We need to get politicians and community members on board if we want to solve this problem, and we need to work at every level.

We had the chance to meet with William Hague at the Summit. He has announced that the government will give £6million to survivors of sexual violence – but how will we know that this money has reached the right people and what reaction will he have if this money is taken by corrupt government officials? I wanted to ask Hague this, but we ran out of time when we met him.

The weather here has been so great this week – I almost felt like not going back to my country. The cost of living is expensive, but people here earn more money than they do in Uganda. I also went on a train for the first time – I found it really frightening! 

Another thing I noticed here were the plants and flowers, and just how beautiful they are! I had not imagined that I would see things like this. I have learned so many skills and have developed so many ideas this week. I want to go back home and join hands with my fellow youth in Uganda and fight to end sexual violence in conflict.

Lastly I want to say that we must also focus on children, because children are the future generation of today and tomorrow. Hear my voice, this is the nation I want!

Espe, Youth Delegate from DRC

Espe Kazi is a young radio journalist from DRC, a member of club that fights against harmful traditional practices and a member of a Network of Young Congolese fighting against HIV and AIDS.

This is my first time in London and this is really the happiest time in my life because I am here for a very important purpose. 

I am here not only for pleasure, but with a chance to meet with my peers from other countries in Africa, Europe and Asia to speak about a serious problem that is affecting my country – sexual violence in conflict. 

At the summit, I have heard about what other countries are doing to solve this issue – I am learning from their experiences and want to use this knowledge to help my country. 

My message to African presidents is to put the recommendations made by young people at the summit into practice. African leaders should start to work in collaboration with young people; they should give them decision-making power, so that the youth can help in implementing the goals and commitments of the Global Summit. 

I now invite my peers to work hand in hand with me. I want my community to acknowledge that sexual violence is a reality, and to sensitise and prioritise sexual education and not to consider this issue as a taboo that we shouldn’t speak about. 

I want the Congolese government to put an end to things that can increase the risk of sexual violence, such as alcohol and drugs, and promote positive values among all citizens. 

The government should also make sure – like many countries in Europe – that children are going to school. Where I live, many girls are not going to school, and are instead being exploited in brothels. It is a question that I have raised to authority figures many times during the Summit.

I cannot forget to thank World Vision for this experience – it is an organization that sustains young people; that helps them to reach their ambitions of contributing to making peace in the community and to ending violence.

Suad, Youth Delegate from Kosovo 

Suad is an active member of a network of World Vision Peace Clubs in Kosovo representing 500 Kosovan youths.

It’s my first time in London and I feel privileged that I am coming here with a mission and a purpose, and that I’m part of this Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. 

In Kosovo, the conflict ended some years ago, but the victims still face the consequences of the sexual violence they experienced during the war. It’s a taboo issue in Kosovo and we need to offer victims support, respect and love. In this way, they can overcome the challenges they face and start to rebuild their lives.

As a result of young people’s participation in this event, I believe that this issue will be taken more seriously at the community level upwards.  While I have been here in London, my peers in Kosovo have been busy. They have been working with the UK Embassy in Kosovo and the President’s Office to raise awareness.

They have produced leaflets, flyers and are spreading leaflets and information, sharing the #timetoact across Kosovo. They are showing to the community that victims need support and they shouldn’t feel alone. We hope that other countries see what we are doing and follow this example.

By being part of the summit, I am raising the issues faced by survivors of sexual violence. I find it hard to think what was the most special moment during the week – as so much has been really great. But I enjoyed listening to the speeches and the commitment that was expressed by experts, William Hague and Angelina Jolie. 

When I get home, I am meeting the Kosovan President and the UK Embassy to discuss the Youth Delegates’ policy recommendations that were developed here at the Summit. 

We hope that the Kosovan President listens to these recommendations and takes them into account – they represent the views of young people around the world. 

Another thing I want to do is share with my peers what happened at the Summit  this week –  and together we will continue to fight against sexual violence in conflict.

Action Now

Find out what you can do to help further empower youths like Babra, Espe, Suad and many more in their quests to combat sexual violence in conflict.