Meet five courageous leaders advocating for justice and change
The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, observed on June 19th, honors victims and survivors, as well as those dedicated to eliminating Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV). At Women for Women International, we know from decades of experience that CRSV has devastating, long-lasting impacts on women’s physical and mental health. Yet as global conflict rises, this violence is increasingly used as a weapon of war and dismissed as unavoidable. A lack of action reflects a wider culture of silence and stigma that must be broken.
In the countries where we work, our partners, participants, Change Agents, and local teams are leading grassroots solutions to combat CRSV - from implementing radio programs in South Sudan to running mobile clinics in Ukraine where survivors can access critical care. They are daring to speak out, take action, and push for justice.
Here are five remarkable women who, like our teams and partners, are leading the fight to end sexual violence in conflict and creating change for survivors around the world.
Nadia Murad - Yazidi human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Born in Kocho, a small village in northern Iraq, Nadia Murad is a Yazidi human rights activist who has become a global voice for survivors of sexual violence and genocide. In 2014, she was kidnapped by ISIS, held in captivity, and subjected to unimaginable abuse. After escaping, she courageously spoke out about her experience, breaking the silence around conflict-related sexual violence. Murad went on to found Nadia’s Initiative, an organization dedicated to rebuilding communities in crisis and advocating for survivors of sexual violence. Her efforts have brought international attention to the plight of the Yazidi people and survivors of war. In 2018, she became the first Iraqi and the first survivor of sexual violence to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which she shared with Dr. Denis Mukwege, for their work to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.
Juliene Lusenge - Women's rights activist and peacebuilder
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Julienne Lusenge is a tireless advocate for women’s rights and a leading voice in the fight against sexual violence in conflict. Originally a radio journalist, she began documenting the stories of women who had survived rape and abuse during the Congolese civil war, using her platform to amplify their voices and demand justice. In 2000, she co-founded the Female Solidarity for Integrated Peace and Development (SOFEPADI), a grassroots organization that supports survivors of sexual violence and holds perpetrators accountable. She also leads the Fund for Congolese Women, which empowers women through community-based initiatives. Through her decades of work, Lusenge has become an international leader in peacebuilding, women’s rights and justice for survivors. Her extraordinary activism has earned her numerous awards, including the International Women of Courage Award and the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.
Caren Omanga - Kenyan activist and scholar
Caren Omanga is a Kenyan activist and advocate committed to ending sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and crisis settings. With a background in international law and transitional justice, she has worked extensively to support survivors of sexual violence and promote accountability for perpetrators. As a researcher and policy expert, Omanga has focused on the intersections of gender, conflict and justice in Africa, particularly through her work at institutions like the African Leadership Centre and in collaboration with grassroots organizations. She is known for championing survivor-centered approaches and pushing for reforms that recognize the lived realities of women affected by war. Through both her academic contributions and community engagement, Omanga is helping reshape how justice for survivors is understood and pursued across the continent.
Zainab Bangura – Diplomat and Human Rights Activist
Zainab Bangura is a prominent Sierra Leonean diplomat and human rights activist who has dedicated her career to fighting sexual violence in conflict. As the former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (2012–2017), Bangura led UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, a network of 24 UN entities working together to prevent and respond to sexual violence in war zones. During her tenure, she traveled to some of the world’s most dangerous conflict areas, documenting abuses, amplifying survivors’ voices and pushing for justice and accountability. Bangura’s work helped bring global attention to the use of rape as a weapon of war, and she championed survivor-centered responses across policy and humanitarian sectors. Prior to her UN role, she served as Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health and Foreign Affairs. Through her leadership, she has become a vital force in international efforts to end wartime sexual violence and restore dignity to those affected.
Sister Angelique Namaika - Congolese Catholic nun and humanitarian
Sister Angelique Namaika is a Congolese Catholic nun and humanitarian known for her courageous work supporting survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As the founder of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Women and Children (CRWAC), Sister Angelique has helped thousands of women and children who have suffered from the horrors of sexual violence and armed conflict. She provides survivors with shelter, vocational training and psychosocial support, empowering them to rebuild their lives. Sister Angelique’s commitment to healing and justice earned her the 2013 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award, where she was recognized for her exceptional dedication to helping women and children in conflict-affected regions. Through her efforts, Sister Angelique has become a symbol of resilience and hope, leading grassroots efforts to combat sexual violence and support the victims of DRC’s ongoing conflict.
