Women's Issues
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. UTO Takashi’s video message at the side event co-hosted with the Global Survivors Fund
On September 27, Japan, along with France, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom, co-hosted a side event of the 76th United Nations General Assembly with Global Survivors Fund (GSF)* as board members of the Fund. Mr. UTO Takashi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, delivered a video message (English translation (PDF) 
) at the online event entitled “Reparations for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: Status and Prospects.”
During the event, the findings of the GSF’s Global Reparations Study were presented, followed by a panel discussion on feasible reparation programs.
In his message, State Minister UTO expressed his respect for Dr. Denis Mukwege and Ms. Nadia Murad, who were 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureates and the leading actors for the establishment of the Fund, and mentioned that Japan strongly agreed with the purpose of the Fund to support the self-reliance of survivors who were hurt by sexual violence in conflict. He also emphasized that the Government of Japan has supported the Fund’s activities since its establishment.
Moreover, he stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on vulnerable women and girls since the beginning of 2020 and expressed an idea that if survivors of sexual violence in conflict could obtain a means of independence, regain their self-confidence, and play an active role economically and socially, it would bring new perspectives to our society, which in turn would create more opportunities for "Building Back Better."
In addition, State Minister UTO said that we must not stop providing support even during the pandemic and announced that Japan would continue to work with the international community to eradicate violence and provide help and support to survivors.
*Global Survivors Fund (GSF) was launched in October 2019 by Dr. Denis Mukwege and Ms. Nadia Murad, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, with the aim of facilitating access to reparations and supports for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, against a backdrop of the fact that many survivors of conflict-related sexual violence have not received public reparation.