Duchess of Edinburgh calls for justice for wartime rape victims and condemns ‘heinous crimes… used to humiliate, destroy and degrade’ after visit to Ukraine

The Duchess of Edinburgh has called for justice for victims of wartime sexual violence following her visit to Ukraine.

Sophie, 59, last month became the first member of the royal family to visit the country since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Her visit to Kiev, which reportedly took place at the request of the Foreign Ministry, was aimed at showing solidarity with the women, men and children affected by Putin’s war.

After listening to survivors of sexual violence bravely share their stories, the Duchess condemned the “heinous crimes” being used to “humiliate, destroy and control” citizens. The Daily Telegraph reported.

She argued that during war “women and girls pay the highest price in terms of human costs” and called for the establishment of more preventive safeguards, as well as measures to support victims of sexual violence.

Sophie, 59, last month became the first member of the royal family to visit the country since the Russian invasion in February 2022. She and the UK’s ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris are pictured visiting the car cemetery on April 29, 2024 in Irpin. , Ukraine

“Rape is used to humiliate, humiliate and destroy. And we need to get better at preventing this from happening,” Sophie reportedly said while speaking at a reception at the home of Martin Harris, the British ambassador to Ukraine, on April 29.

‘Where we cannot prevent it, we must take action to support those who have been victims of such crimes.’

The Duchess, who announced her commitment to defending survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in 2019, said that while “others in leadership positions are concerned with the politics of war” she aims to “bring conflict-related sexual violence to the table as a devastating event.” consequence’.

During Sophie’s visit to Ukraine, she met survivors of sexual violence, both men and women, as well as female internally displaced persons (IDPs) and volunteers who are helping their communities cope with the trauma of the invasion.

She also met children who have now been safely returned to Ukraine after being forcibly separated from their families and deported by Russia as part of an ongoing campaign to erase Ukrainian culture.

During her speech, Sophie added that in a world with ‘so many current and threatening crises’, ‘my hope is that where conflict occurs, more attention is paid to creating well-funded early systems of support for survivors and those affected ‘. internally displaced’.

She called for accessible medical and psychological interventions and a “collection of evidence for future prosecutions and the destigmatization of victims.”

Sophie traveled to Kiev at the request of the Foreign Office. During her visit, she spent time with Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska. The pair are pictured together on April 29, 2024

Sophie is said to have delivered a letter from King Charles III to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian president greets Sophie ahead of their talks in Kiev on April 29, 2024

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris, left, visit the Romanivska Bridge in the city of Irpin on Monday, April 29, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Sophie and children look at a Ukrainian flag while visiting the Save Ukraine Family Center in the city of Irpin on April 29, 2024

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and United Kingdom Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris visits the UNFPA office to meet with war victims in Kiev, Ukraine on April 29, 2024

Sophie traveled to Kiev at the request of the Foreign Office. During her visit, she delivered a letter from the King to President Volodymyr Zelensky and spent time with Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

During a meeting with President Zelensky and First Lady Zelenska, Sophie discussed how to best support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and women peacebuilders who play a critical role in ensuring Ukraine’s effective and long-lasting recovery.

She also paid her respects to those who lost their lives in Bucha, two years after its liberation from Russian forces, and visited the ‘Road to Life’, a bridge that became a key part of the Ukrainian resistance when it was blown up. stopped the advance of Russian troops into Kiev and later became a crucial route for people to flee to safety from the Russian occupation.

Buckingham Palace released a statement about the visit last month, saying: ‘Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting Ukraine at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to show solidarity with the women, men and children affected by the war and in continuation of her work to stand up for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

“Her Royal Highness met the President and First Lady of Ukraine this morning and delivered a message to them on behalf of His Majesty the King.”

Since 2022, Britain has pledged more than £4.7 billion in non-military aid to Ukraine.

The Duchess of Edinburgh (second right) and the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ukraine Martin Harris (right) visit the monument to the victims of the Russian occupation in the city of Bucha on April 29, 2024

Sophie meets children while visiting the family center of the NGO “Save Ukraine” in the city of Irpin on April 29, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine

The Duchess of Edinburgh (left) and Olena Zelenska, (right) wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, talk during their visit to St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev on April 29, 2024

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska (left) and Britain’s Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (right) visit St. Sophia’s Cathedral in Kiev on April 29, 2024

This includes more than £660 million in bilateral aid that prioritizes the needs of women and girls, for example by funding essential services for survivors of gender-based violence, and working with the Crown Prosecution Service to put survivors at the heart of the response of gender-based violence. prosecuting conflict-related crimes of sexual violence.

Britain is also working with international partners to hold those responsible for atrocities to account.

Sophie announced her commitment to the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the UN’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda on International Women’s Day in 2019.

She has since visited several countries, including Kosovo, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia, as part of her initiative to champion the cause.