The Countess of Wessex receives 2022 Hillary Rodham Clinton Award

Published

The Countess of Wessex is in Washington this week as part of her work championing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. HRH is meeting ambassadors and government changemakers working to offer better support for survivors and aiming to eradicate sexual violence in conflict around the world.

At the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, The Countess of Wessex, along with four other women, received the 2022 Hillary Rodham Clinton Award for her commitment to raise awareness about preventing sexual violence in conflict.

Her Royal Highness announced her commitment to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in 2019 and has since visited countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Kosovo to learn more about the inspiring work being done to end sexual violence in conflict, and encourage support for survivors.

The Countess of Wessex accepted the award to raise public awareness of this critical issue and the survivors.

Her Royal Highness said as she accepted the Award: “Too long have survivors of rape in war had no voice. Too long have they had to bear the burden of others' inactions on these crimes. And too long have the perpetrators not been held to account. Attitudes must be challenged and changed.”

Other honoured at the ceremony included, Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine; Kateryna Levchenko, Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy in Ukraine; Natalia Karbowska, Director of Strategic Development of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund; and Oleksandra Matviychuk, a human rights lawyer and recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize.

Read more about the Awards here

Washington DC Visit

While in Washington, The Countess of Wessex also attended a number of meetings to discuss furthering efforts to support survivors of sexual violence and women peacekeepers;

  • Her Royal Highness attended a meeting with Ms. Jennifer Klein (White House Gender Policy Council Chairman) at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building
  • Her Royal Highness attended a meeting on Women, Peace and Security at Atlantic Council
  • Her Royal Highness attended the "Breaking the Barriers of Entry for Women Leaders in Africa" Meeting at the United States Institute of Peace Headquarters.