Live webchat with Foreign Sec William Hague on sexual violence in conflict

[KatieMumsnet]

William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, will be joining us for a webchat this Monday (June 2) between 3.15pm and 4pm, to discuss a global campaign to end sexual violence in conflict.

In war zones across the world, sexual violence is used as a devastating weapon - and according to UNICEF, those most at risk are women and their children, both girls and boys. One of the starkest current examples is the conflict in Syria; nearly three out of four refugees who spoke with researchers on their arrival in neighbouring countries last year reported that sexual violence in Syria was on the rise. Earlier this year, JustineMumsnet joined others in highlighting the need for action.

William Hague and Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, will co-chair the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict at ExCel London on June 10-13 2014. The summit, which is set to be the largest-ever gathering on the subject, will hear calls for international leaders to commit to protect women and children in war zones from rape and sexual abuse.

If you've questions for William Hague on the summit, what's likely to be discussed and which measures we can hope for in the wake of it, please do post them now, and come back on Monday to join the discussion.

[mrsbucketxx]

here's a silly one for you

do you know that you sound really like alex kapranos the lead singer of frans ferdinand. i cant listen to take me out without you popping in my head or vice versa.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Gosh, that's not inappropriate at all.

FFS.

[Poofus]

How do you think sexual violence against women in conflict situations relates to sexual violence against women in peacetime? Is it part of the same thing?

(And if so, are we going the wrong way about tackling the sexual violence in conflict?)

[wouldbemedic]

I'd like to add my voice to those speaking out on behalf of Meriam Ibrahim and her children. What can the British government do to make it difficult for the Sudanese government to go ahead with this barbaric sentence? If the death penalty is carried out, what can the British government do ahead of time to ensure that Meriam's children will be brought up by their father?

[TheWireMakesNoSenseToMe]

I know this is off topic, but I just wondered if I could ask about you. I remember you well as Tory leader in 1999/2000, when you were a bit more abrasive and seemed a lot less thoughtful. What's happened in the intervening years? And what tips would you give to other politicians who seem to reach the top quickly without time to age (and improve).

[nevergoogle]

Hmm, who's idea was it to have this webchat at 3pm when most of us are either at work or on the school run. (That's not my question!)

Can you explain how a 'global campaign' works? Can countries like Syria or India be influenced when behaviour is so ingrained. Realistically, would they change their laws or processes because other countries put pressure on to do so? Surely it comes from within their own communities not ours?

[nevergoogle]

My second question is not only not allowed, but also inappropriate but as it's 3pm I might just get away with it. (It also makes a change from the favourite biscuit question, although feel free to answer that too)

Take a look at this photo of my baby.

Can you please reassure my husband that we have never met?

[WilliamHagueMP]

Test

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Welcome to Mumsnet William - my little brother shares your name so the greeting seems even more familiar

[nevergoogle]

What DNA? . Wow I wasn't expecting that.

[MrsStatham]

Why are we still giving billions of pounds in foreign aid to countries which treat its citizens so shamefully?

[nicename]

Sexual violence in conflict is merely an extension of the everyday violence against women - as the recent cases in Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Sudan testify.

How can the British government condone vast amounts of aid sent to such countries (ok we all know its to do with trade, not welfare - why else would we be sending aid to India with its $1billion a year space programme)? It isn't working if women are constantly the bottom of the pile. Surely an educated, protected female population can only strengthen society.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Sudan is shocking for it's widespread practice of FGM too.
You do feel that all these things are closely related.
Lack of respect for girls and women in society understatement of the year to say the least.

[iseenodust]

To what extent do you think the giving of government aid should have 'strings attached'?

That those receiving aid can continue to promote the idea that a woman is a chattel is abhorrent & one of the primary reasons some regard violence against women as acceptable.

(Will also be on school run.)

[MrsStatham]

Doctors have been struck from the medical register for performing FGM and arranging FGM yet they haven't been criminally prosecuted. These are recent, high profile, well reported cases. Until there are prosecutions for this abhorrent act it will continue in this country.

[RowanMumsnet]

Sorry folks - 3.15pm not 3pm. We've corrected the thread title now.

[IceBeing]

good grief....further to the point about visible women in power....

The current cabinet is 84% male and the conservative MPs are 86% male.

I can't help wondering if people would believe that an 86% female party was fit to govern? Or that an 84% female cabinet would be able to represent the people adequately??

[AndHarry]

Do you think that formal education has a place in ending the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war? What about institutions like Hillary Clinton's charity Vital Voices working towards empowering women to take on leadership roles in developing countries?

Are you shocked at the attitude of Patience Jonathan of Nigeria's attitude towards the missing schoolgirls in Nigeria?

[AmyMumsnet]

Bianca Jagger, via Twitter, asked why were Sri Lankan victims left out?

[speakerexplosion]

Hello Mr Hague, thanks for coming on.

What exactly is the UK government doing right now to use our influence to stop events like the stoning in Pakistan/ rapes in India/women giving birth with their feet shackled together in prison in Sudan because of their religion?

[gelati3]

Thank you for coming on Mr Hague. Is there anything the British public can do to help, any groups you would recommend we support?

[JustineMumsnet]

We are here in the Foreign Office with the Foreign Secretary and will get going very shortly.

[Cocolepew]

Just marking my place

[WilliamHagueMP]

Hello, I am here and ready to answer your questions over the next 45 minutes

[FrancesNiadova]

Hey Justine, what's it like?