The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is annually observed across the globe on 19th June to create awareness about the conflict-related sexual violence.
- 19th June 2022 marks the observance of the 8th official International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Background:
The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/69/293 on 19th June 2015 and proclaimed the 19th June of every year as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Why June 19?
The day 19th June, was chosen to commemorate the adoption of the Security Council resolution 1820 (2008) on 19th June 2008, which condemned sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peacebuilding.
Events 2022:
As a part of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2022, an event on “Prevention as Protection: Enhancing structural and operational prevention of conflict-related sexual violence” was organised.
- The 2022 event is co-hosted by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Office of the SRSG on Children and Armed Conflict and the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations.
Purpose: To stand in solidarity with the survivors, and those working to support them, to ensure they are not forgotten in a climate of intersecting crises, pandemic recovery, and constrained resources.
Note: A new Framework for the Prevention of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, developed through consultations across the UN Action network, was launched during the event.
Conflict-related sexual violence:
“Conflict-related sexual violence” refers to rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced marriage and any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity perpetrated against women, men, girls or boys that is directly or indirectly linked to a conflict.
This also includes the trafficking committed in situations of conflict for the purpose of sexual violence or exploitation.
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on
Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC):
The Office of the SRSG-SVC was established in 2009.
It serves as the UN spokesperson and political advocate on conflict-related sexual violence.
Special Representative– Pramila Patten
