London, United Kingdom -12 June 2014:During the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, being held in London, the African Union Commission Chairperson Dr NkosazanaDlaminiZuma todayannouncedthe launch of an initiative to respond and prevent sexual violence in conflict.

Dr DlaminiZuma made the announcement in her opening remarks during the ministerial session officially opened by British Foreign Secretary William Hague;Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and actress Angelina Jolie;the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict,ZainabBangura; and other international dignitaries amidst thousands of participating delegates.

The initiative, which Dr. DlaminiZuma said will begin in the next few days,is expected to be launched as a pilot in the Central African Republic. It will apply a two-pronged approach of responding to the urgent needs of victims of sexual violence, whilst at the same time preventing the violence from further escalating. The programme will allow the tracking and investigation of allegations of sexual violence, for further action by the African Union Commission and national stakeholders.

“Sexual violence in time of conflict has attained horrific proportions with far reaching effects on communities by challenging their capacity and resilience to fully recover from conflicts”,Dr DlaminiZuma said while addressing the Global Summit.

Civilians and particularly women and children account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflict, including a high level of sexual abuse and violence.

The pilot project will comprise a multidisciplinary team of experts, including medical doctors, psychologists, lawyers and police officers. It will be deployed under the framework of the AU Mission in the Central African Republic, MISCA.

The summit ends on Friday 13 June 2014.