Duchess Sophie moved women to tears of pride as she reminded them of their strength and dignity in a moving speech, showing zero tolerance for violence against the most respectable segments of society.
King Charles’ trusted ally healed hearts when she delivered a powerful speech to students in Lisbon, leaving them inspired and uninterrupted in her words.
On the second day of her tour of Portugal with Prince Edward, the Duchess of Edinburgh shared her experience of spending time with women in war zones.
She revealed the heartbreaking truth, saying women are threatened with rape while bringing peace to their communities. She represents a strength for those fighting sexual violence in conflicts around the world.
“Sexual violence in conflict is truly a scourge on the world,” she said.
“There are many countries in conflict right now where violence is endemic, and the reality is also that sexual violence – violence against women and girls – is something that, even after conflict, changes societies.
“Unfortunately, I see no end to the violence that continues, even in countries emerging from conflict. This is not acceptable.”
The Duchess has long supported the Women, Peace and Security programme, a United Nations initiative that aims to put more women at the center of conflict resolution.
She spoke at the Model NATO Conference in Lisbon, which simulates the procedures of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Among the student delegates studying subjects such as international relations was a group from the University of Birmingham.
She explained how, at a conference in New York, women she met in the Democratic Republic of Congo were receiving rape threats on their phones.
“They were there in the name of peace… but they were receiving direct threats straight to their phones,” she said.
“Women peacebuilders have different perspectives and priorities,” she continued.
To a question from a student asking how women’s voices can be amplified, she responded: “I use my voice…I can be their voice in different forums, in different contexts.” That’s one way. You can use your voice and immediately play a role as well.
“They know how their community works and what is important to them. These women, whom I have the privilege to serve, are not doing it because they want recognition of any kind, quite the contrary. They are doing it in the name of peace, but by putting themselves forward, they can end up putting themselves in danger. Often, they are subjected to threats of rape and other forms of harm, intimidation of their families, deportation and incarceration.”
On the second day of Prince Edward and Sophie’s visit, they also helped assemble a drone and operate the drone’s camera with an Xbox console at an aerospace company.
