International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2024; June 19th.

FORUM: "Attacks against healthcare in conflict-affected areas; impacts for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence." International Day for the elimination of sexual violence in conflict 2024. Attacks on healthcare facilities rob entire communities of essential health services that are needed to save lives. This results in negative consequences for pregnant, nursing, and new mothers, including the unprecedented scale of women and girls reported to have died before or during childbirth. Ensuring the safety of hospitals in conflict zones is paramount for the well-being of survivors of sexual violence and persons at-risk, and supporting their quests for justice and redress. For instance, women and girls face distinct risks and harms following pregnancy as a result of rape and require comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare. Men and boys victimized by sexual violence, are often marginalized due to cultural shame and stigma and are at risk of increased isolation if the necessary care and support is not made accessible to them. Children born of conflict-related rape also face unique risks and harms, including exclusion and ostracization, which may compound and evolve as they reach adulthood and may be exacerbated if health structures are inexistent or non-operational. Many cannot benefit from basic health assistance and education and are burdened by trauma, which affects their well-being and livelihood opportunities, and renders them vulnerable to recruitment by armed forces or groups. In addition, the military use of hospitals threatens the civilian nature of these institutions and exposes patients and medical personnel to increased risks of attacks and other violations. International humanitarian law clearly stipulates that hospitals are protected from attacks and should benefit from the humanitarian principles of distinction and proportionality. The international community should use all the tools at its disposal to ensure the protection from attacks of these structures, as they play a vital role for survivors of sexual violence, enabling them to benefit from a protective environment, heal and rebuild their lives amidst adversity. Furthermore, in order to respond to the needs of survivors, the international community must prioritize its financial support to survivor-centered responses, including through the delivery of comprehensive support services, access to justice, and socioeconomic reintegration even in the midst of conflict. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #EndRapeInWar, #19June, #EliminateSexualViolence.

EVENTS: The Observance of the International day for the elimination of sexual violence in conflict 2024 will be held in the Conference Room 11 at UNHQ, on Wednesday, June 19th from 10:00 a.m to 12: 30 p.m EDT. The event will begin with opening remarks by the three co-hosts, followed by a short video from the 27th Governor General and Commander in Chief of Canada and Global Champion in the Fight against Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean. A survivor from South Sudan will deliver a video statement. This will be followed by remarks by the Director of Programme at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR). The coordinated work of the United Nations in "delivering as one" in the fight against conflict-related sexual violence will be presented by the Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), an active member of the UN Action network, which is chaired by the SRSG-SVC. This will be followed by a statement from the Executive Director of the Working Group on Women Peace and Security. To conclude, representatives of Member States, Regional Groups, and Civil Society will be invited to make brief interventions. In line with the General Assembly Resolution of 2015 (A/RES/69/293), the event will be held to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. The International Day is commemorated every year, on or around 19 June, which marks the date of the unanimous adoption of the first Security Council resolution to recognize conflict-related sexual violence as a tactic of war and a threat to international peace and security (S/RES/1820 of 2008). The Event is co-hosted by the Office of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Office of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict, and the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations. Read the agenda programme!

STATEMENTS: Read Statement of the U.N. Secretary-General on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2024, June 19th.


Event format:

The event will begin with a short video statement by a survivor from South Sudan followed by opening remarks by the three co-hosts. The coordinated work of the United Nations in “delivering as one” in the fight against conflict-related sexual violence will be presented by the UnderSecretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), an active member of the UN Action network, which is chaired by the SRSG-SVC. The 27th Governor General and Commander in Chief of Canada and Global Champion in the Fight 3 against Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean will deliver a video statement. This will be followed by remarks by the Director of Programme at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and a statement from the Executive Director of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security. To conclude, representatives of Member States, Regional Groups, and Civil Society will be invited to make brief interventions


Opening Segment:

Moderator: Chief of Staff, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Nancee Oku Bright

1. Video statement from a Survivor from South Sudan

2. Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations, H.E. Ricardo E. Lagorio

3. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Under-Secretary-General, Ms. Pramila Patten

4. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and Under-Secretary-General, Ms. Virginia Gamba.

Special Guests:

Moderator: Chief of Staff, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Nancee Oku Bright

1. Statement from Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Natalia Kanem, on behalf of the UN Action network

2. Video statement from the 27th Governor General and Commander in Chief of Canada and Global Champion in the Fight against Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean

3. Statement from the Director of the Programme on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones at Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), Ms. Payal Shah

4. Statement from the Executive Director of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Ms. Kaavya Asoka

5. Interventions from Member States and Regional Groups, including co-sponsors of General Assembly Resolution 69/293


Moderator closes the event.

Expected outcomes: 

1. Statements by the panelists, Member States, and senior United Nations officials, as informed by the perspectives of survivors and civil society representatives, will highlight our collective responsibility to ensure that hospitals become beacons of safety and healing for survivors, places where they can find solace and rebuild their lives with dignity and respect. 

2. Member States will reiterate their commitment to addressing CRSV, including through adequate, flexible, and sustainable resourcing to the Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Multi-Partner Trust Fund (CRSV MPTF). 

3. Enhanced media coverage globally, including the promotion of key messages on social media (#EndRapeinWar & #ACTtoProtect), and a dedicated microsite hosted by the United Nations Department of Global Communications featuring the Secretary-General’s annual message and other relevant resources as well as a virtual exhibition on a CRSV survivor’s journey.