Quote by Zainab Bangura: “Silence on atrocities fuels their continuation. Speak out for the voiceless.”

Bangura argues that when people remain quiet about terrible acts, especially violence, it allows those acts to keep happening. She encourages everyone to use their voice to defend and speak up for those who cannot.

Throughout her tenure, Bangura consistently highlighted how lack of accountability for sexual violence perpetuated the cycle of abuse in conflict zones. This call to action was made amidst global discussions on protecting civilians and holding perpetrators responsible in ongoing crises.

Sierra Leonean diplomat and politician who served as the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict from 2012 to 2017. Before her UN role she served as Sierra Leone's Minister of Foreign Affairs and was a key figure in the country's post-civil war reconstruction. She is one of the foremost international voices on conflict-related sexual violence.