Lord Collins has been appointed the new United Kingdom Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI). This special envoy role will now form a long standing part of the ministerial portfolio in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to provide long term consistency.
Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is all too often used as a devastating tactic of war. It continues to shatter the lives of women, men, boys and girls around the world and has far-reaching consequences, which include physical injuries, psychological trauma, social ostracism and the breakdown of communities.
As the Prime Minister’s Special Representative, Lord Collins will drive international action to tackle the issue, which disproportionally affects women and girls around the world, and support survivors.
Empowering women and girls, and preventing the conflicts that disproportionately impact them is a key priority for the Foreign Secretary and this government. We are working to prevent and respond to CRSV, including through the provision of medical, psychosocial, and legal support to thousands of survivors.
Lord Collins takes over the role from Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, who served in the role since 2017 and oversaw the UK hosting the 2022 PSVI Conference and the launch in 2023 of the International Alliance on PSVI.
Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the new Prime Minister’s Special Representative on PSVI, said
Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is a breach of international law that inflicts trauma and leaves a lasting impact on individuals, societies and the global community.
We will work with our partners around the world to support survivors, bring the perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice, and end impunity.
I pay tribute to Lord Ahmad for his extraordinary dedication to ending the abhorrent crime of CRSV and congratulate him for his achievements in the role. I am proud to pick up the baton as Prime Minister’s Special Representative for PSVI and look forward to working with civil society, survivors, and our international partners as I take on this important role.
