Ending sexual violence in conflict: breaking the cycle, healing the scars and building a world of peace

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (19 June)

In nearly every conflict in every region of the world, sexual violence is on the rise – a weapon of war used most often to terrorize women and girls. 

The resulting physical and psychological trauma damages individual lives and extends to entire families and communities, with impacts that reverberate across generations.

Sexual violence is not the unavoidable collateral damage of conflict; it is an egregious violation of women’s rights and bodily autonomy. It is a crime, and it must be stopped. 

Increasingly women’s organizations and survivors themselves have stepped forward with courage to tell their stories and call for justice, even when speaking out and standing up for their rights may place them at further risk. 

Still, far too many cases remain unreported, and those that are reported are unlikely to be prosecuted, as inadequate justice systems fail to uphold laws against sexual violence, where such laws exist. Survivors are silenced by fear, stigma and a lack of support services, while perpetrators walk free.

Much has been said about the urgency of ending sexual violence in conflict, but not nearly enough has been done. Survivors need support, protection and justice, and impunity needs to end – now, not later.  

Unfortunately, while conflicts and violence continue to escalate, recent global funding cuts have gutted programmes to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. At a time when these services should be scaling up, many organizations globally have been forced to scale back or suspend their services. The consequences of this will be borne by millions of women and girls.

On this International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, it is essential to keep the #LightsOn for women and girls. What does this mean? First, it means fully funding comprehensive, life-saving, survivor-centred services: sexual and reproductive health; mental health and psychosocial support; legal aid; and safe, confidential spaces for healing and reporting – without shame or blame. Second, survivors of sexual violence in conflict should play a leading role in determining paths to recovery and restitution for the crimes committed against them. Finally, we must invest in preventing conflict in the first place.

It is time to work together, with the urgency required, to make the elimination of sexual violence in conflict not an afterthought but the very first step towards a world of peace – a world that is safe, just and equal for women and girls – and for everyone.