“On this International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, let’s resolve to uphold the rights and meet the needs of all survivors, as we work to prevent and end these horrific crimes”.
-António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General [1]
This term refers to rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced marriage, and any other form of sexual violence which have the same effect on the victims, be they men, women, children, or adults. [2]
The impact of COVID-19 on survivors of conflict-related sexual violence has been poor, as the coronavirus pandemic has significantly affected the lives of victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. Although the crimes of conflict-related sexual violence are not reported in many places, the COVID-19 pandemic has weakened the ability of survivors to report sexual violence and further exacerbated structural, institutional, social, and cultural barriers to reporting such crimes. [2]
Also read: International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution (A/RES/69/293) in June 2015, which proclaimed June 19 of each year as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
The resolution made it clear that the aim was to raise awareness of the need to end conflict-related sexual violence, honor victims of sexual violence around the world, and pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted or lost their lives towards achieving that purpose. [2]
The UN Secretary-General previously called for a cessation of violence both on battlefields and in homes. Yet his latest report shows that conflict-related sexual violence has continued unabated during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains a cruel and widespread tactic of war, torture, terror, and political repression, as the report recorded cases of sexual violence against women detained for alleged violations of curfews and quarantines, as well as violations by armed groups that have taken advantage of the pandemic to intensify their operations and achieve their ends. The pandemic has also laid bare the intersecting inequalities that plague our societies, as compounded by conflict, displacement, and institutional fragility. [3]
The global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic should not aim at going back to the situation prevailing before the pandemic. Instead, it should seek to promote a new social contract that prevents those in power from obtaining privileges above the law, prevents the incapacity of a person who falls under the protection of the law, and the ultimate goal is to achieve equality and true justice.
This calls for decisive action to mitigate risks, prevent sexual violence, and ensure that no one is left behind in efforts to respond to these challenges. Responses must be comprehensive, multisectoral, age-appropriate, and survivor-centered. [2]
On this day, we call on all parties involved in armed conflicts to heed the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire and an immediate end to all conflict-related sexual violence, as the goal of creating safer, fairer, more secure, and peaceful societies will require the international community to demonstrate vigilance and dedication. [3]
On the belief of this day and the necessity of eliminating sexual violence, we, in turn, advise all parties to raise awareness of this type of violence by participating in awareness seminars in order to build a more peaceful society.
♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.
References:
[1] United Nations
[3] European Union