Duchess Sophie moved women to tears of pride as she reminded them of their strength and dignity in an emotional speech and showed zero tolerance for violence against the most respectable segment of society.
King Charles’ trusted ally healed hearts when she delivered a powerful speech to students in Lisbon, leaving them inspired and unbroken by her words.
On the second day of her trip to Portugal with Prince Edward, the Duchess of Edinburgh shared her experience of spending time with women from war zones.
She revealed the heartbreaking truth and said that women are threatened with rape while bringing peace to their communities. She stands as strength for those who tackle sexual violence in conflicts around the world.
“Sexual violence in conflict is truly a scourge to the world,” she said.
“There are many countries in conflict now, where violence is endemic, and the reality is also that sexual violence – violence against women and girls – is something that changes societies even after conflict.
“It’s something that, unfortunately, I see no end to.. even countries that are post-conflict, the violence that’s going on. It’s not acceptable.”
The Duchess is a long-standing supporter of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, a UN initiative which aims to put more women at the center of conflict resolution.
She spoke at the Model NATO conference in Lisbon, which simulates the course of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Among the delegates from students studying subjects such as International Relations was a group from Birmingham University.
She explained how women she met from the Democratic Republic of Congo at a conference in New York received rape threats on their phones.
“They were there in the name of peace … but they were receiving direct threats directly on their phone,” she said.
“Women peacebuilders have different perspectives and priorities,” she continued.
To a question from a student who asked how women’s voices can be amplified, she replied, “I use my voice… I can be their voice in different forums, in different settings. That’s one way. You can use your voices and immediately play a role.”
“They know how their communities work and what is important to them. These women, whom it is my privilege to serve, do not do it out of desire for recognition of any kind, quite the opposite, in fact. They do it in the name of peace, but by coming forward, they can end up putting themselves in danger. Often they face abuse and other threats to their families, threats and intimidation. deportation and imprisonment.”
The second day of Prince Edward and Sophie’s visit also saw them help assemble a drone and operate the drone’s camera with an Xbox console at an aviation company.
