'Petrified Survivors'

Petrified Survivors is the world's first memorial sculpture dedicated to all victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence globally. Created through a three-year collaborative process with survivors from over 30 countries, the sculpture incorporates cultural symbols, national flowers, and engraved survivor testimonies within its design. The memorial aims to break the silence surrounding CRSV, create spaces for remembrance and reflection, and honour survivors' resilience while advocating for justice and prevention.

The artwork depicts a petrified woman with an infant strapped to her back, encased in strangler fig vines. Her hands are bound behind her, with clenched fists symbolising defiance, while a dove tries to loosen the vines. Viewed from above, the sculpture resembles a speech mark or teardrop, evoking the weight of unheard testimony and collective suffering. She stands rooted on a rotatable compass, leaning toward the light – a metaphor for survivors’ strength and the global scale of CRSV. Among the vines are national flowers, birds, and cultural symbols representing diverse survivor communities. Etched survivor quotes speak to trauma and strength, with empty spaces between the vines reflecting the invisible scars survivors carry.

Symbols chosen by survivors include:

• Strangler Fig vines for Vietnamese survivors, representing the parasitic legacy and lifelong impact of sexual violence.
• Nissan flower for Yazidi survivors, symbolising cultural identity, survival, and hope amidst atrocity.
• Baby strapped to mother’s back representing second-generation survivors who face stigma due to their dual heritage

The memorial's unveiling coincides with calls for broader policy changes in public art and commemoration. These themes were discussed during a panel at the unveiling featuring survivors and partner organisation representatives: Leesa Gazi (Komola Collective); Shahrbanu Haidari (Associazione di Solidarietà Donne per le Donne); and Jacqueline Mutere (Grace Agenda).