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A war that can be won

Jane Gabriel, 3 December 2007
Subjects:

The UN's John Holmes on confronting sexual violence worldwide
Plus: blogging 16 days
About the author
Jane Gabriel is editor of openDemocracy's 50.50 editorial section

At the Commission on the Status of Women in February 2007 the United Nations launched an agency wide campaign to 'Stop Rape Now'. John Holmes was then in his first week as Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and declared that tackling sexual violence against women in conflict was a "war that could be won".

Ten months into the job, having met women who have been mutilated by sexual violence in conflict, he told Jane Gabriel that he is a 'marked man': his commitment to reducing the violence against women through the work of the United Nations is increased, but the limitations of what the UN can do remain enormous.

This interview is part of our coverage of the 16 Days Against Gender Violence. Also in openDemocracy on the 16 Days theme, a multi-voiced blog, part of our overall 50.50 coverage, with contributions from women and men around the world.

Click here for a full list of articles and podcasts in the 16 Days 2007 series.

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