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Drawing a red line to end conflict-related sexual violence

Thinking of You

The Hague, 2024

A public art installation by Alketa Xhafa Mripa, in collaboration with the Mukwege Foundation, The Municipality of The Hague and the Embassy of Kosovo in the Netherlands. This art installation is dedicated to survivors of sexual violence in conflict. 

 

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THE ART INSTALLATION

Created by artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa as an act of collective listening and healing.

In 2015, thousands of dresses, each carrying the stories of survivors of sexual violence from the Kosovo War, filled the Pristina football stadium in Kosovo. This was the birth of the Thinking of You art installation created by conceptual artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa. In 2024, Alketa Xhafa Mripa is teaming up with the Mukwege Foundation, the Kosovo Embassy and Municipality of The Hague in the Netherlands. Together, we are recreating a global Thinking of You art installation and campaign in The Hague from 3 June until 28 June 2024.

This time, the dresses will be donated by survivors of sexual violence and human rights supporters in solidarity with survivors worldwide.  

Join us in this global awareness-raising campaign. You can learn more about Alketa Xhafa Mripa here.

THE DRESSES

“Sexual violence committed in times of conflict is a shame for humanity. Let’s break the silence.”- Survivor from Mali

 

THE COLLECTION

Survivors around the world donate a dress in support of Thinking of You (The Hague, 2024)

This dress belongs to Kim, Bok-dong (1926-2019). Donated by War & Women's Human Rights Museum.

In memory of Kim, Bok-dong (Korea, 1926-2019), survivor and women's right activist. She was a victim of the Japanese military “Comfort Women.”

In memory of Kang, Duk-kyung (Korea, 1927-1997), survivor, activist and artist. She was a victim of the Japanese military “Comfort Women.”

WHY THINKING OF YOU (THE HAGUE, 2024)

Sexual violence as a weapon of war is uniquely destructive.

 

Fear & Stigma

Stigma stops many survivors from speaking out, and children born of rape face lifelong stigmatisation and discrimination.

Broken communities

As a weapon of conflict, sexual violence aims to demoralise a community and destroy its resilience.

Lack of accountability

Authorities fail to hold perpetrators to account, preferring to maintain the status quo, enabling impunity and fuelling further abuses.

OUR SUPPORTERS

Together, we must end sexual violence as a weapon of war.

Dr. Denis Mukwege, founder and medical director of Panzi Hospital, donates his white coat in support of survivors.

Martin Bell, UNICEF UK ambassador, donates a dress in support of survivors.

Pascalle Grotenhuis, Director-General for International Cooperation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, donates a dress in support of survivors.

Baroness Arminka Helic, Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, donates a dress in support of survivors.

Mariëlle Vavier, Mayor Chairwoman of the Municipality of The Hague, donates a dress in support of survivors.

Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, president of Kosovo, donates a dress in support of survivors.

Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, shows her support of survivors.

Shefali Razdan Duggal, US Ambassador in The Netherlands, donates a dress in support of survivors.

Christine Schuler- Deschryver, Co-founder of City of Joy, VDAY Congo Director and Vice President of Panzi Foundation DRC, donates a dress in support of survivors.

Jeanne A. Conry, MD, PhD, former President of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, donates a dress in support of survivors.

Corinne Dettmeijer, member of CEDAW (2021-2024), donates a dress in support of survivors.

Juan Manuel Santos, former president of Colombia and founder of Compaz Foundation, holds up a dress in support of survivors.

Dr. Atziri Ramírez-Negrin, FIGO Committee Chair on Women Facing Crises: Human Rights, Refugees and Violence Against Women, donates a dress in support of survivors.

Ambassador of Colombia to the Netherlands, Carolina Olarte Bácares, donates a dress in support of survivors.

Dr Rubina Sohail, FIGO Committee Chair on Violence against Women, donates a dress in support of survivors.

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Find out why survivors and human rights supporters donate a dress to the Thinking of You art installation in The Hague.

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