International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict observed globally

19 June: International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 

The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict was observed globally on 19 June 2017 with the theme ‘Preventing Sexual Violence Crimes through Justice and Deterrence’. 

The United Nations will be hosting a panel discussion to commemorate the day at its headquarters in New York on 20 June 2017. The common public would be able to follow the conversation on social media with the hashtag #EndRapeinWar.

Background 

• The United Nations General Assembly on 19 June 2015 proclaimed the day as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. 

• The day was designated in order to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence.

• It was also to honour the victims and survivors of sexual violence around the world and to pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted their lives to and lost their lives in standing up for the eradication of these crimes.

• The particular date was chosen to commemorate the adoption of Security Council resolution 1820 (2008) on 19 June 2008, in which the Council had condemned sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peace building.

Speaking on the occasion, UN Secretary-General, António Guterres said that endemic sexual violence including rape, abduction, human trafficking, sexual slavery and forced marriage contributes to the disproportionate suffering of women and girls in conflict.