U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is hosting a talk with the UN today on the state of Zimbabwe, the importance of transparent election, and the urgency to address how rape is used as a weapon of war, and what measures need to be taken.

Via AP:

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said the council's discussion on women would send an important signal to the world just by discussing the systematic use of rape and mutilation as a weapon of war in conflict or post-conflict situations.

'We believe it is very important that a message is sent that there is no impunity for such crimes,' he said.

The simple acknowledgment of rape as a weapon of war is a great accomplishment, as its very existence has only really begun to be documented recently - but I'm also looking forward to seeing what strategic plans might come out of the meeting to really do something about violence against women in conflict and post-conflict situations.