The United Nations (UN)’s International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is annually observed on 19th June across the world to raise awareness of the need to put an end to Conflict-related Sexual Violence (CRSV).
- 19th June 2023, marks the observance of the 9th official International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Background:
i. On 19th June 2015, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution (A/RES/69/293) and proclaimed 19th June of each year the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
ii. The first ever International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict was observed in 19th June 2015.
Why June 19?
This date 19th June commemorates the unanimous adoption of Security Council Resolution (S/RES/1820 of 2008) on 19th June 2008, in which the Council condemned sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peacebuilding.
2023 Event:
i. As a part of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2023, an event on “Bridging the gender digital divide to prevent, address and respond to conflict-related sexual violence” was organised.
ii. The 2023 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.
iii. The purpose of the event is to stand in solidarity with the survivors, and those supporting them, to spark hope, knowledge and inspiration as we lift our voices to say: “#EndRapeInWar”.
Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV):
i. The term “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.
ii. The term also encloses trafficking in persons when committed in situations of conflict for the purpose of sexual violence or exploitation.
UN Action:
UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) is a network of 24 UN entities, united with the goal of ending sexual violence during and in the wake of armed conflict. Working as one UN, the UN Action aims to:
- Prevent conflict-related sexual violence
- Enhance accountability
- Meet the needs of survivors of sexual violence
Special Representative:
i. The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC) is an office of the UNs Secretariat that supports the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SRSG-SVC), established in 2009.
ii. The Special Representative serves as the UNs’ spokesperson and political advocate on CRSV.
iii. In April 2017, the UN’s Secretary-General appointed Pramila Patten of Mauritius as the SRSG-SVC
About United Nations (UN)s:
Founded in– 1945
Secretary-General– António Guterres
Headquarters– New York, the United States of America (USA)
