U.N. Rep, Journalist Honored for Exposing Violence Against Women

Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security presented the Hillary Rodham Clinton Awards for Advancing Women in Peace and Security during a Feb. 22 ceremony in Gaston Hall, titled “Human Security in the Face of Violent Extremism.”

U.N. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Bangura and New York Times journalist Alissa Rubin were honored for their work in exposing sexual violence that women face in war and their push for justice and accountability.

The ceremony was held by Georgetown’s Global Futures Initiative with GIWPS, the Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs and the university’s President’s Office.

After an introduction from John DeGioia, president of Georgetown University, Bangura spoke to the audience about her work in preventing sexual violence in conflict zones and addressing systemic ignorance of the issue in areas like Syria and South Sudan.

“No political or military leader is above the law, and no woman or child is below it,” she said.

Upon presenting her with the award, GIWPS executive director Melanne Verveer commended Bangura’s commitment to justice, human rights and her campaign to address crimes of sexual violence used in war.

Verveer also presented the Global Trailblazer Award to Rubin, who currently serves as the Paris bureau chief of the New York Times. She headed the Afghanistan Bureau for five years beginning in 2009, where she reported on the Middle East.

“In reading her stories, one is transmitted and transported to the front lines,” Verveer said. “Witnessing war through her accounts, the battles, the bravery, the humanity of combatants and civilians, today we honor her not just for her courageous reporting but for her commitment to illuminating women’s experiences during violent conflict.”

Following the presentation of the awards, Bangura and Rubin participated in a question-and-answer session with the audience with closing remarks from Ashley Judd, actress and activist.

Judd thanked Rubin and Bangura for their work and then asked the audience to stand and do what she called “funeral talk.” She requested that for 30 seconds, everyone say to the two honorees what they would say if they were standing in front of them.

“And I want it to be kind of loud,” Judd said. “Because the cacophony of sexual violence and conflict is really loud.”

Judd then encouraged the audience to draw inspiration from Bangura and Rubin and go forth with a passion for seeking justice.

“This talk doesn’t end when you all leave the room. That is when the work begins,” she said.