New York: The United Nations has sounded the alarm over the widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict with a stark reminder: these crimes not only devastate survivors but unravel the very fabric of families and societies.
In 2024, the UN verified nearly 4,500 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, although actual figures are believed to be much higher. The overwhelming majority of survivors—93%—were women and girls.
Sexual violence in conflict is not incidental, but often a calculated tactic used to punish, intimidate and dehumanize civilians. “It is used to terrorise, to punish, but also to humiliate civilians, especially women and girls,” said Esméralda Alabre, who leads the UN Population Fund’s (UNFPA) gender-based violence response in Sudan.
Under international law, conflict related sexual violence is classified as a war crime, a crime against humanity, and can amount to genocide. Yet survivors bear the lifelong scars—trauma, stigma, and isolation—while perpetrators frequently go unpunished.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the need to address these atrocities head-on. “To break the cycle, we must confront the horrors of the past,” he said, lamenting that survivors continue to face threats of reprisal and lack support.
From Sudan to Haiti, conflict related sexual violence has been systematically deployed to destroy communities. In Haiti, reports emerged of gangs forcing relatives to commit rape against family members—tactics aimed at dismantling the social core of communities.
Women’s bodies, said human rights defenders, are being used as battlegrounds in conflicts. Survivors are often left to raise children born of rape alone, ostracized by their communities and denied access to education, jobs, and public services—deepening generational poverty and vulnerability.
“War does not end for women and children when the fighting stops,” said Pramila Patten, the UN’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. She emphasized the urgent need for justice, reparations, and long-term recovery programs.
Yet dwindling resources are jeopardizing the global response. In Sudan, UNFPA was forced to close 40 women and girls’ safe spaces in March due to funding cuts—limiting both care and legal recourse for survivors.
Advocates warn that disinvestment in services for survivors risks prolonging conflicts and instability. “If we undermine investment in women’s recovery, we undermine investment in conflict recovery—and we all inherit a less safe world,” said Patten.
The UN is urging governments and the international community to scale up support for survivors, strengthen legal accountability, and prioritize prevention through education, legislation, and community-led solutions.
