The Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Department of Peace Operations Cordially invites you to the
Rule of Law and Combating Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls Virtual Film Festival
11 – 15 December 2025
You are invited to attend multiple virtual film showings, focused on various areas of Rule of Law and Combating Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls, followed by a panel of experts to highlight the importance of rule of law and security institutions in seeking justice and combating gender-based violence.
We will stream each film, all under 15 minutes, for the audience followed by a panel of experts to highlight the importance of rule of law and security institutions in seeking justice and combating gender-based violence. After the screening and panelist remarks, there will also be guided discussion questions for the panelists, followed by an open question and answer session in which participants are high encouraged to ask questions.
Experts include colleagues across the UN system including in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) the UN Team Of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Justice and Corrections Service, as well as experts in NGO’s including Physicians for Human Rights, Ideas Partnership and Steward Women.
Featured films include:
Kavumu Case
Thursday 11 December 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EST
In Kavumu, between 2013 and 2016, more than forty young girls, under 12, were abducted and raped. While initially these attacks were considered as isolated events, it soon became obvious that they were part of a systematic pattern by a local militia. Its leaders, including a senior politician, were brought to justice with the support from multiple partners, including the UN Team of Experts, co-led by UN Peacekeeping and the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Physicians for Human Rights and International. The film follows the investigation and necessary legal proceedings to hold the perpetrators accountable including the protective measures, charges, and eventually the arrests.
Survivors of Sexual Violence Finally Get Justice Through UNMISS- Supported Mobile Court in Bentiu
Friday 12 December 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST
Subjected to sexual violence at 17, Nyaruach watched as the perpetrators were sentenced to 10 years in jail at a mobile court in Bentiu. The mobile court, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Norway is bringing justice to places where it has been absent for far too long.
Romni
Monday 15 December 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM EST
This film accompanies Shpresa through a life-defining moment where she is confronted with an adult reality in a child’s world; pitting traditions and family against individual hopes and dreams. At what point do you become initiated into the adult world? For many, the reality arrives sooner than it should. Spirited 15-year-old Shpresa lives in the Kosovo (1) town of Obilic, going to school, playing football and growing up under the pall of a coal factory and the weight of societal expectations.
For any questions, please feel free to reach out to Elizabeth McInnes (Elizabeth.mcinnes@un.org) and Juveriah Hussain (Juveriah.hussain@un.org) .
(1) All references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999)
