Addressing consequences of sexual violence in conflict through art

Addressing the lasting effects and stigma surrounding sexual violence in conflict is one of the UK’s key priorities. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), together with our partners, the UK government working with and for survivors and their families, strives to improve survivors’ access to rights and services, seeks to break the cycles of trauma and to reduce the stigma to which they are still exposed.

On 23 April 2024, the British Ambassador to BiH, Julian Reilly, in cooperation with TRIAL International, hosted the internationally recognised conceptual artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa, with representatives of the social and political life in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On this occasion, the artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa presented her powerful art installation “Thinking of you”, which aims to draw attention to the reality of sexual violence in conflict and its human consequences. This event was a precursor to Ms Xhafa’s exhibition which will be displayed in The Hague this June, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict on 19 June 2024.

This important and symbolic artwork transcends borders, and is an homage to survivors of sexual violence in conflict, around the world. It is a global symbol of remembrance and solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. The exhibition consists of dresses and skirts donated by survivors of conflict related sexual violence, but also by those who support their struggle for rights and recognition.

Alketa Xhafa Mripa said:

I use art’s transformative and restorative power as a vehicle for raising awareness, empowering, and giving a platform to survivors of sexual violence in conflict to come forward and speak up. We must reach everyone in society and use all means at our disposal to end this intolerable suffering once and for all. The first “Thinking of You”, in my home nation of Kosovo, became a collective act of listening and healing, for the estimated 20,000 survivors of sexual violence committed during the war there. Bringing “Thinking of You” to The Hague is a powerful homage to the survivors from all over the world, and a call to decision-makers to take action.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of survivors’ groups, representatives of governments, artists, journalists, members of the judiciary, civil society representatives, intellectuals, and writers have thoughtfully donated dresses and skirts at the event in Sarajevo. Their donations will be an integral part of the “Thinking of You” art exhibition in The Hague, to raise awareness of the daily challenges survivors face, highlighting the cause further to appeal to key decision makers to take concrete action to overcome these challenges.

Ambassador Julian Reilly emphasised:

Thinking more deeply about these lived realities, advocating that survivors have the information and access to their rights, and ensuring their social inclusion, are key tasks for every segment of society. We have a collective responsibility to show solidarity and help make the voice of those most directly affected heard, as an important step for a more peaceful and inclusive society.