A/HRC/40/21 workshop on the theme of “Torture in the context of sexual and gender-based violence” at its forty-ninth session in April 2019. As on previous occasions, the workshop will gather selected experts and practitioners from organizations supported by the Fund, as well as representatives from treaty bodies, special procedures and United Nations agencies. The workshop will be followed by a public panel, to be held on 4 April 2019. The findings of the previous expert workshop on the subject of “Seeking justice for torture: a victimcentred approach” are contained in document A/73/281 (paras. 5–9). V. Making a contribution 21. Governments, non-governmental organizations and other public and private entities are encouraged to contribute to the Fund. It is important to note that only specifically earmarked contributions are attributed to the Fund. For more information on how to contribute and details about the Fund, donors are requested to contact the secretariat of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland; e-mail: unvfvt@ohchr.org; telephone: +41 22 917 9376; fax: +41 22 917 9017. VI. Conclusions and recommendations 22. Torture is today being practised in increasingly complex contexts and crises, resulting in a broad range of victims, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, women, children, human rights defenders, political opponents, youth, victims of sexual and gender-based violence, victims of enforced disappearances, persons with disabilities, minorities and indigenous peoples and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. The need for redress and rehabilitation is very pressing. 23. In his statement issued on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June 2018, the Secretary-General recalled that victims of torture have a right to an effective remedy, rehabilitation and redress. While States often neglect their obligation to prevent torture and fail to provide victims with effective and prompt redress, the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture continues to play an indispensable role by supporting organizations that provide specialized and unique assistance to victims of torture. 24. The Fund has also affirmed itself, with expert guidance from its Board, as a platform for exchanging and collecting expertise in the field of rehabilitation and redress for victims of torture by holding annual workshops. The next such workshop, focusing on the theme of “Torture in the context of sexual and gender-based violence”, will be held in Geneva in April 2019. 25. The Secretary-General appeals to Member States and other stakeholders to contribute to the Fund, noting that contributions are a concrete manifestation of the commitment of States to the elimination of torture, in line with the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, in particular its article 14. There is a clear need to increase support to the Fund beyond the present annual income of around $9 million. The Fund requires a minimum of $12 million on a yearly basis to respond adequately to the increasing demands for assistance to victims of torture. 6