June 19: Reception of Thinking of You (The Hague, 2024), a tribute to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence

Locations: The Hague City Hall, June 19

We celebrated the official reception of the public art installation Thinking of You (The Hague 2024) in the Atrium City Hall on June 19, the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

This art installation is supported by our partners, the Nationale Postcode Loterij, the largest charity lottery in the Netherlands, and VFonds, the National Fund for Peace, Freedom and Veterans.

SEMA members and supporters

This special ceremony brought together SEMA members, their supporters, and the artist behind Thinking of You (The Hague 2024). Together, they stressed the need for justice, holistic care and redress for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and their children.   

The reception was officiated by the H.E. Mr. Dren Doli, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in the Netherlands, who warmly invited survivors and supporters to share their remarks:   

• Deputy Mayor Mariëlle Vavier stressed the importance of hosting this powerful art exhibition in the city of The Hague to raise awareness about the multiple wars spreading in the world right now, which profoundly affect victims of sexual violence.   
• Her speech was followed by the artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa, who reaffirmed her commitment to using her art as a platform for conflict-related sexual violence.   
• SEMA members and survivor activists Jaqueline Mutere, Vasfije Krasniqi-Goodman and Shyrete Sulimani also joined the podium to call for an end to the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and recognise the rights of children born of rape.
• Peter Derrek Hof, Director of Social Development and Ambassador of Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in the Netherlands, emphasised the courage of these women survivors to speak out and stressed the need to support their advocacy efforts.  

Dr. Denis Mukwege’s call to action

After decades of denial and indifference, the scourge of sexual violence has finally been recognised. I now call on each and every one of you to turn your emotions into concrete actions and join the Mukwege Foundation’s ‘Red Line’ campaign against the use of sexual violence as a method of war, and thus contribute to building a world where every woman and child can live free from fear.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it to this special ceremony, especially to each of our supporters and sponsors who donated a dress in support of survivors, including distinguished members of The Elders Foundation, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics), Panzi Hospital and Foundation, US Ambassador in The Netherlands Shefali Razdan Duggal, Grande-Duchesse Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, the Embassy of Colombia in the Netherlands, Corinne Dettmeijer, member of CEDAW (2021-2024), the Municipality of The Hague, the Embassy of Kosovo in The Hague, Liza Gashi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo, Compaz Foundation, the Nationale Postcode Loterij, Vfonds – Nationaal Fonds voor Vrede, Vrijheid en Veteranen and the Embassy of Canada to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.  

Photos: Floor Beemster

About the artist

Alketa’s work delves into personal and universal themes that span motherhood, women, gender relations, memory, and the body. She utilizes various artistic mediums, including films, installations, paintings, and photography, to create pieces that draw from personal and collective experiences. She draws inspiration from the challenges that others face and endeavours to approach these themes from a personal and introspective point of view.

​As a woman and artist, Alketa is committed to creating platforms and collaborations that foster new discourse and challenge oppression and injustice in different communities. Her experience as a mother and her feminist values provide Alketa with a unique perspective that allows her to approach women’s issues from a broad standpoint. She is especially passionate about supporting vulnerable communities of women, such as survivors of sexual violence and wartime rape, who continue to experience social stigmas. Collaboration and participation are essential aspects of her work, and involving others in the creative process brings an added level of passion to her art.

Alketa was born in Kosovo and moved to London in 1997 to study Fine Art at Central Saint Martins. During the Kosovo War of 1998-1999, she became a refugee. Currently, Alketa lives and works in London, collaborating on art projects throughout Europe and beyond.

For more information on Alketa and her work, please click here. 

About Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation

The Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation is an international rights-based, survivor-centred organisation working to change the global response to conflict-related sexual violence.

We support survivors’ demands for a world where sexual violence as a weapon of war is no longer tolerated and bears consequences for individual perpetrators and states. We work for a future where survivors receive the holistic care and compensation they need to rebuild their lives. We create opportunities for survivors to speak out and be heard, and where they can organize to create change, influence policies, and demand justice and accountability. In 2023 the Mukwege Foundation started  The Red Line Initiative, a campaign to call for strong action against the use of sexual violence in conflict For more information about the Mukwege Foundation, contact the foundation via media@mukwegefoundation.org, or visit our website and Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

​About The Hague

The Hague is well known as the International City of Peace and Justice and the only Dutch city nestled along the Dutch coast. Home to the International Court of Justice and numerous other international organisations. The Hague also serves as the seat of the Dutch Government. Besides that, the city offers bustling markets, world-class museums including the iconic Mauritshuis, housing Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring”. With its inviting atmosphere and global significance, The Hague stands as a beacon of diplomacy and cultural exchange in Europe.

About the Embassy of Kosovo

The Embassy of Kosovo in The Hague is the official diplomatic representation of the Republic of Kosovo to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Among others, the Embassy aims to further develop and strengthen diplomatic, political, economic and cultural relations with the host country, as well as with international organisations based in The Hague. Bringing the art installation Thinking of You to the city of peace and justice is part of the continuous efforts of Kosovo to seek justice and raise awareness for all those who suffered excruciating violence during the conflict in Kosovo at the end of the 90s and in all conflicts worldwide.