On October 23, 2024, Ms. Pramila Patten, the Under-Secretary and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, organized a ceremony in New York at the United Nations headquarters to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the mandate addressing sexual violence in
conflict situations.

This event featured keynote speaker Ms. Hilary Clinton and special guest Ms. Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Several ambassadors from member countries of the UN Security Council also attended.

The gathering served as a wake-up call regarding the devastating scale of sexual violence committed
during armed conflicts worldwide. Participants urged a global mobilization of governments to take more
action to end this scourge and to allocate resources for the holistic rehabilitation of survivors.

Professor Dr. Justin Paluku had the privilege of representing HEAL Africa at this significant global event.
In his speech, he addressed the issue of survival sex experienced in the DRC and the sexual exploitation
and abuse suffered by internally displaced women and girls due to armed conflicts in Eastern DRC. He
lamented that sexual violence continues to occur in the internally displaced persons camps in the Goma
region. He emphasized the need for a multidimensional and coordinated response to the complex
challenges related to addressing sexual violence in DRC. Such a response requires support for local
initiatives, like those undertaken by HEAL Africa.

The meeting concluded with a firm commitment from the attending ambassadors to support ongoing
efforts to combat violence during times of conflict worldwide.

As a reminder, Ms. Pramila Patten visited HEAL Africa in Goma on June 13, 2023.