From Testimony to Transformation: Ending Rape as a Weapon of War
This powerful panel brings together HRH Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, Chékéba Hachemi, and Tatiana Mukanire, three globally recognised leaders advocating to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Drawing on their deep experience in humanitarian action, survivor advocacy, and international diplomacy, they will highlight the urgent need to protect vulnerable populations, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen global mechanisms for prevention and justice. The discussion will shed light on survivor-centred approaches and explore how international cooperation can create meaningful, lasting change for women and communities affected by conflict.
Speakers
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Chékéba HachemiFounder, Afghanistan Libre, and Co-founder, Stand Speak Rise Up!Chékéba Hachemi
Founder, Afghanistan Libre, and Co-founder, Stand Speak Rise Up!
Franco-Afghan Chékéba Hachemi fled her country during the Soviet invasion in 1986 and arrived in France at the age of 11. In 1996, she founded the association Afghanistan Libre, for the dignity of Afghan women, leading projects in education, information, rural development, and health, mainly for women and girls. The association was put on hold with the arrival of the Taliban in August 2021. In 2002, she created, with the newspaper ELLE, the magazine ROZ, the first Afghan women’s magazine, continuously published since April 2002 to address issues supporting Afghan women in their daily lives. In 2004, she helped create the ELLE Foundation, and in 2010 launched the ELLE Forum to promote the role of women in business. In Europe and the United States, she has led initiatives in support of Afghanistan, including press campaigns and lobbying of businesses, politicians, and institutions. She participated in a working group with Kofi Annan, then UN Secretary-General, and was a guest of honour at the ILO’s Women’s Day in Geneva and at the UNHCR. The first female diplomat in the Afghan interim government, she was appointed First Secretary of the Afghan Embassy to the EU in 2002. In 2005, she was called to Kabul as Advisor to the First Vice President, and in 2007 was appointed Minister-Counsellor by President Hamid Karzai, based in Paris. In 2009, she resigned, denouncing government corruption. Since 2009, she has led Epoke and then CH Consulting, specialising in social projects for public and private sectors, promoting women in business, philanthropy, and CSR for major European groups such as ENGIE, L'Oréal, ELLE, Fondation A Stichting, NRJ, FACE, and MEDEF. Since 2017, she has served as Strategy and Philanthropy Advisor to HRH the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg in her fight against rape as a weapon of war. In 2019, she co-founded Stand Speak Rise Up! with HRH Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Dr Denis Mukwege, Stéphane Bern, and Pramila Patten.
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Her Royal Highness Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of LuxembourgHer Royal Highness Grand Duchess of LuxembourgHer Royal Highness Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
Counsellor
Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess of Luxembourg
HRH THE GRAND DUCHESS MARIA TERESA OF LUXEMBOURG The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg is a passionate humanist, committed to defending the rights of women, children, and vulnerable individuals. As President of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Foundation, she has been promoting education, social protection, and the fight against poverty since 1981. In her role as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador since 1997, she has collaborated with Muhammad Yunus on microfinance and women's entrepreneurship. In 2007, she was appointed Eminent Advocate for Children by UNICEF. In 2009, the Grand Duchess launched the "Outstretched Hand" project with Maison Shalom to secure the release of minors imprisoned for common law offenses in adult prisons in Burundi. Deeply concerned by learning disabilities, she organized an International Forum on Dyslexia in Luxembourg in 2016. She is actively involved in the fight against rape as a weapon of war. In 2019, she organized the Stand Speak Rise Up! International Forum with Dr. Mukwege. A few months later, the association Stand Speak Rise Up! was founded to support Survivors and raise public awareness. Internationally recognized, the Grand Duchess was appointed Champion for the Fight Against Sexual Violence in Conflict by the United Nations in September 2021. That same year, her book Un Amour Souverain, co-written with Stéphane Bern, was published, with 100% of the author’s royalties donated to Stand Speak Rise Up!. The prestigious honors the Grand Duchess has received for her humanitarian work are a testament to her extraordinary commitment.