Human Rights, Humanitarian Assistance,Refugees
Meeting between Mrs. Akie Abe, First Lady of Japan and Her Excellency, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
November 20, 2013
On November 20, Mrs. Akie Abe, First Lady of Japan, held talks with Her Excellency, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, who visited Japan at the invitation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Special Representative Bangura said Japan achieved significant economic development after going through difficult years after World War II and can offer a model for women who are suffering in conflicts in Africa and elsewhere. She said she hopes that Japan will be a role model and serve as a bridge between developed countries and countries that are experiencing or have just overcome conflicts, in order to eradicate sexual violence in conflict. Special Representative Bangura also expressed hopes for leadership from Mrs. Abe to bring a solution to the issue and said she would like to work closely with the First Lady on the issue.
Mrs. Abe expressed her respects for the efforts of Special Representative Bangura. Noting that women in Japan face the same problems that their overseas counterparts do, although Japan is a peaceful country, Mrs. Abe said she hopes to create a more peaceful society by realizing a "society in which women shine." She said she believes in the importance of sex education to help prevent sexual violence, adding that she would like to work with Special Representative Bangura on a broad range of initiatives including exchanges of information.
Special Representative Bangura said Japan achieved significant economic development after going through difficult years after World War II and can offer a model for women who are suffering in conflicts in Africa and elsewhere. She said she hopes that Japan will be a role model and serve as a bridge between developed countries and countries that are experiencing or have just overcome conflicts, in order to eradicate sexual violence in conflict. Special Representative Bangura also expressed hopes for leadership from Mrs. Abe to bring a solution to the issue and said she would like to work closely with the First Lady on the issue.
Mrs. Abe expressed her respects for the efforts of Special Representative Bangura. Noting that women in Japan face the same problems that their overseas counterparts do, although Japan is a peaceful country, Mrs. Abe said she hopes to create a more peaceful society by realizing a "society in which women shine." She said she believes in the importance of sex education to help prevent sexual violence, adding that she would like to work with Special Representative Bangura on a broad range of initiatives including exchanges of information.