Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed on 19 June. In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly declared that the day is to remind the world that sexual violence is one of the most devastating and underreported consequences of armed conflict. It is a day to honour survivors and renew and emphasize the commitment to ending the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war, torture, persecution, and horror
Throughout history, wars have been fought with weapons. Yet, another silent weapon has repeatedly been deployed against civilians, particularly women and children, with devastating and permanent consequences: sexual violence. Rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced marriage, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, trafficking for sexual exploitation, and other forms of sexual abuse have been used to terrorize communities and humiliate perceived enemies. These crimes are not incidental by-products of war; they are often deliberate strategies employed to achieve hidden objectives.

The consequences extend far beyond the immediate victims. Survivors frequently endure lifelong physical injuries, psychological trauma, social stigma, and barriers to justice. Entire communities suffer when fear, shame, and displacement fracture social cohesion. In many societies, survivors are banned from society rather than supported. The effects may persist across generations, affecting children born of rape, families torn apart by violence, and communities struggling to rebuild after conflict.

Children are among the most vulnerable victims of conflict-related sexual violence. The United Nations recognizes sexual violence as one of the six grave violations committed against children during armed conflict. Boys and girls are subjected to rape, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, trafficking, and other forms of abuse by state and non-state actors. Such violence not only destroys childhoods but also undermines children’s health, education, safety, and future opportunities. The trauma inflicted during formative years often leaves lasting scars that continue into adulthood.

Recent reports demonstrate that the situation remains deeply alarming. According to the United Nations Secretary-General’s report, published in 2026, conflict-related sexual violence continues to rise in many parts of the world. The United Nations verified nearly 10,000 cases of conflict-related sexual violence worldwide, more than double the number documented the previous year. These figures reveal a pattern of increasing brutality and impunity across multiple conflict settings. Women and girls accounted for the overwhelming majority of verified victims, although men and boys also continue to be targeted.

International law clearly prohibits such acts. The Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and numerous Security Council resolutions recognize conflict-related sexual violence as a serious violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law. Depending on the circumstances, such acts may constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, or grave violations against children. Yet despite this legal framework, accountability remains missing in many conflict settings. Perpetrators frequently escape justice due to weak institutions, ongoing insecurity, political considerations, and the reluctance of survivors to report crimes because of fear and stigma.

The observance of this day carries a message that extends beyond condemnation. It calls for survivor-centred approaches that prioritize dignity, protection, healthcare, psychosocial support, access to justice, reparations, and social reintegration. It also demands stronger national laws, effective investigations, prosecution of offenders, gender-sensitive justice systems, and meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution processes. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved while survivors remain unheard and perpetrators continue to act with impunity.

The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict reminds us that it is a crime, a violation of human dignity, and a profound assault on peace itself. Ending it requires collective action by governments, international organizations, armed actors, civil society, legal professionals, humanitarian agencies, and communities. Above all, it requires listening to survivors, believing their stories, and ensuring that justice replaces silence.
On this day, the world must stand with survivors and reaffirm a simple but powerful principle: no conflict, no cause, and no ideology can ever justify sexual violence.