/ ONLINE MEDIA
2024
26.08.2024 / ELLE
Three years after the Taliban took power, women’s rights in Afghanistan continue to deteriorate. For ELLE, Chékéba Hachemi, president of Afghanistan Libre and co-founder of Stand Speak Rise Up, reacts to the new morality law, which further silences women.
10.06.2024 / 360CrossMedia
Jerome Bloch highlights the statements of Chékéba Hachemi, co-founder of Stand Speak Rise Up!, on the dire situation of women in Afghanistan.
Stand Speak Rise Up! mobilizes for Afghan women and girls through emergency humanitarian distribution projects and access to maternal and child health care.
12.03.2024 / Paris Match
14.02.2024 / Le Quotidien
Stand Speak Rise Up! and the British association Grace organized a solidarity cinema evening on February 28 at Ciné Utopia in Luxembourg to support children born from rape in Uganda. The film, The Wound Is Where the Light Enters, was followed by a discussion.
Stand Speak Rise Up!, founded in 2019 by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, supports Survivors of sexual violence and children born from rape. Grace, a British charity, promotes reconciliation for children born of war, their families, and their communities.
2023
01.12.2023 / L’Express
On November 28, at the Women’s Forum in Paris, Maria Teresa of Luxembourg presented her NGO, Stand Speak Rise Up, dedicated to supporting women raped in conflicts. She emphasized that despite recent media attention due to the Hamas attack on Israel, this issue remains largely ignored.
Since the 20th century, sexual violence as a weapon of war has primarily affected women and girls in 62 countries. Inspired by Dr. Denis Mukwege in 2016, Maria Teresa is committed to giving a voice to these victims and supporting their reconstruction and quest for justice.
19.09.2023 / Paperjam
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Chékéba Hachemi, co-founders of the NGO Stand Speak Rise Up!, met with BGL BNP Paribas employees on September 19 to launch a joint project in support of women. During this event, they presented the NGO’s actions, which fight against rape as a weapon of war and support Survivors.
600 employees attended the presentation, where the Grand Duchess emphasized the importance of this cause and her commitment to it. Guests were able to ask questions and participate in a donation drive, which BGL BNP Paribas committed to match. The funds raised will be used to finance a training project for young refugees in Luxembourg.
The event concluded with a book signing session featuring the works of the Grand Duchess and Chékéba Hachemi, providing a moment of conviviality and sharing.
10.10.2023 / Histoires Royales
The hair salons of Eric and Laurent organized their annual solidarity fashion show in Thionville, this year benefiting the association Stand Speak Rise Up! founded by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. The event, hosted by Sophie Darel, attracted over 700 people.
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and Chékéba Hachemi thanked Eric Sammartano for his commitment. A cheque for 21,000 euros was presented to the association in the presence of Thionville’s mayor, Pierre Cuny.
The Grand Duchess expressed her fondness for Thionville, and Chékéba Hachemi praised the international solidarity for women.
21.06.2023 / Paris Match
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, deeply engaged in the fight against rape as a weapon of war, has garnered support from several French artists to launch a video appeal for donations. Carla Bruni, Amir, Tristane Banon, Mathias Malzieu, Maurice Barthélemy, Sandra Sisley, and Nicolas Ouchenir all participated, sharing poignant messages on the importance of supporting Survivors. Since its creation in 2019, Stand Speak Rise Up! has raised 350,000 euros, supported more than 1,000 women, and indirectly helped 4,000 people.
The Grand Duchess, honored by the UN in 2021, organized an international conference in 2019 with Denis Mukwege and Céline Bardet, which led to the creation of the association Stand Speak Rise Up!. This organization aims to denounce sexual violence in conflict zones and assist victims. The initiative has been recognized and supported internationally.
19.02.2023 / Le Quotidien
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and the Board of Directors of Stand Speak Rise Up! have announced the release of the association’s 2022 white paper. This document, available for free on standspeakriseup.lu, details the projects and actions since the association’s inception in 2019, aimed at combating rape as a weapon of war and supporting survivors. It includes contributions from international experts and highlights the 2022 event in Biarritz, which helped raise funds for field projects.
2022
20.10.2022 / WE DEMAIN
At the initiative of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, the Stand Speak Rise Up! charity gala was held on October 15 at the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz. The event aimed to raise awareness and funds for victims of sexual violence in conflict zones, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Uganda, Syria, and Ukraine.
Dr. Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2018, participated in the event alongside five Survivors, Pramila Patten, Céline Bardet, and François Heisbourg. Sylvia Acan, a survivor from Uganda, shared her testimony.
Hosted by Charlotte de Turckheim and Stéphane Bern, the gala raised funds through patrons such as Moët-Hennessy, Hermès, Fondation Engie, BGL BNP Paribas, and L’Oréal. The funds will be used to develop projects led by survivors, in collaboration with the Panzi Foundation and other NGOs.
21.10.2022 / Virgule
The charitable organization Stand Speak Rise Up!, presided over by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, organized a charity gala on October 15 at the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz. This event aimed to raise funds for women who are victims of sexual violence in conflict zones. The gala, hosted by Charlotte de Turckheim and Stéphane Bern, brought together notable figures such as Dr. Denis Mukwege and Pramila Patten.
Le dîner, accompagné d’une vente aux enchères, a permis de mobiliser des fonds pour des projets soutenant les Survivantes. Des membres de la famille grand-ducale, dont le grand-duc Henri et leurs enfants, ont également assisté à l’événement.
En parallèle, une exposition photo à Luxembourg-Ville a présenté les projets financés par l’organisation depuis 2019.
2019
28.03.2019 / Jeune Afrique
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg reaffirmed her commitment against rape as a weapon of war during a forum, surrounded by notable figures such as Fatou Bensouda, Denis Mukwege, Nadia Murad, and Muhammad Yunus. She urged the international community to end the impunity of perpetrators of these crimes.
The forum highlighted a strong African delegation, featuring testimonies from survivors of various conflict-ridden countries. Agreements were signed, including one between the Luxembourg Red Cross for the renovation of Panzi Hospital and Engie for the provision of solar panels to the hospital.
27.03.2019 / Le Monde
On March 26 and 27, Luxembourg hosted the international forum “Stand Speak Rise Up!” initiated by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa to combat rape as a weapon of war. The event brought together survivors from 18 countries, Dr. Denis Mukwege, and Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize laureates of 2018.
The forum highlighted poignant testimonies and called on the international community to act against this scourge, emphasizing the importance of breaking the silence and supporting victims with medical, psychological, financial, and legal resources. Maria Teresa and Denis Mukwege stressed the need for an international reparations mechanism for survivors.
Calls to action were supported by United Nations representatives, promising to work for greater justice and to support survivors.
27.03.2019/ Paperjam
26.01.2019/ Paris Match
On March 26 and 27, Luxembourg will host an international forum against rape as a weapon of war, organized by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa with Dr. Denis Mukwege and Céline Bardet. This forum, titled “Stand, Speak, Rise Up!”, will bring together survivors from 18 countries and Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
Inspired by Dr. Mukwege, Maria Teresa aims to give a voice to victims of sexual violence, who are often ignored. The goal is to break the silence, raise societal awareness, and fight against the impunity of perpetrators.
The event seeks to change the social perception of sexual war crimes and support Survivors in their quest for justice.