| Belgian Action on Women’s Rights |
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Senator Sabine de Bethune was elected as the new President of the Belgian AWEPA section on 24 April.
She has been active within AWEPA for quite some time and has mainly focused on Africa and gender issues. Most recently, she co-signed a resolution on "Sexual terror in East-Congo" submitted by Senator Ms. Miet Smet (Vice-President of AWEPA) which was approved on 13 March in a plenary session in the Belgian Senate. There was an immediate reaction to the resolution and a remarkably strong response was shown from a number of civil society organisations as well as the press, including both television and radio broadcasts on the subject. It is estimated that each year, 60,000 civilians fall victim to the most heinous sexual tortures. Women, children, and even men have been the targets of brutal rapes over the last ten years by military groups. Deeply affected by the situation in East-Congo, by the numerous civilians violated and tortured as well as by the strong public reaction, Minister of State and Senator Ms. Miet Smet began the campaign "SOS stop sexual terror in East-Congo". This project serves to support projects which ensure medical, mental, and social aid as well as legal assistance to the victims in East-Congo. For more information please click here and here.  Belgian Resolution on the Rights of Women
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