“Resolution,” a documentary highlighting the global issue of sexual violence in times of conflict, will be screened 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, at The City College of New York’s Aaron Davis Hall as part of the College’s Women’s History Month observance. Following the screening, filmmaker Marika Griehsel and social activist Margot Wallström will participate in a question and answer session.
Released in 2011, Ms. Griehsel’s 58-minute documentary follows Ms. Wallström as she fights to bring rape as a weapon of war to the attention of the UN Security Council as a top international peace and security issue.
Ms. Wallström was appointed in 2010 as the United Nations’ first special representative on sexual violence in war and conflict. She used that mandate to develop and lobby for UN Resolution 1960, a strategic tool that gives the international community the capacity to effectively prosecute those responsible for committing or planning sexual violence in war and conflict.
“Resolution” follows Ms. Wallström and her colleagues as they visit rape survivors and frontline activists in conflict areas across the globe. Over a ten-month period, they shine the spotlight on instances where rape is used as a strategic weapon of war and raise the issue to the top of the Security Council’s agenda.
The team visits rape survivors in Europe and Africa, who all articulate that the nature of this hostile action is often not clearly defined. Ms. Wallström presents these cases to the UN Security Council, which mandated that sexual violence is a serious violation of human rights and international law. Resolution 1960 was later passed unanimously.
““Resolution” is a strong and powerful look at Margot Wallström and her tireless and passionate efforts to end these barbaric injustices against women in conflict areas worldwide,” said Dr. Charlotte Martin, an associate in the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education’s academic affairs office.
The screening is free but RSVPs are required. A reception will follow. For more information, please call the Aaron Davis Hall Box Office at (212) 650-6900 or visit www.adhatccny.org. Aaron Davis Hall is located on West 135th Street and Convent Avenue, Manhattan.