Partnership for Policy Action: SVRI Forum 2017 officially opens in Rio, Brazil

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum 2017 was officially declared open on 18^th September 2017 at Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel in the beauty city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was a day full activities where over 500 activists, researchers, policymakers, international and local organisations (e.g. Sexual Violence Research Initiative [SVRI], South Africa Medical Research Council [SAMRC], World Health Organization [WHO], United Nations Women [UN Women], Pan American Health Organization [PAHO], United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF], the United Nations Population Fund [UNFPA] & Promundo) representatives gathered together to learn, unlearn, engage and present best practices, policies and innovative interventions to address the root-cause of violence, particularly violence against women and girls. Over 345 presentations such as posters, panels and oral presentations will be delivered during the 5-day event.

The conference was opened with delegates’ registrations as well as interrelated pre-conference workshops on different methodologies and challenges of conducting research on violence with women and girls. The day was wrapped up with a fun-filled opening event at around 7pm in one of the hotel’s conference rooms. The SVRI Forum 2017 was declared open by Ms Fatima Pelaes: Brazil Secretary of the State Policy on Women. Other representatives from Brazil Ministry of Health, SAMRC, WHO, PAHO, UN Women, UNFPA etc. were also present. Ms Fatima spoke about the importance of the conference and the need for concerted joint efforts to develop scalable programmes and interventions for eradication of all forms of violence against women and children.

Ms Fatima Pelaes: Brazil Secretary of the State Policy on Women

The opening event ended with a brilliant musical performance from Banda Alana Youth Musical Band. The opening event was jointly sponsored by UN Women, SVRI and PAHO