UN holidays - International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

Every day, more than a dozen people are on the list of victims of sexual violence, and if this happens in a state where all civil and legal norms are observed, then they can count on the necessary protection and support Unfortunately, the least protected victims on this list are victims of conflict-related sexual violence Among them are hundreds and thousands of socially vulnerable women and children from countries where military and civil conflicts have lasted for years Afghanistan, Congo, Syria, Mali, Iraq, Central Africa - and this is only a part of the countries where basic human rights are not consciously respected Moreover, sexual violence has been and remains one of the hidden forms of warfare On 19 June 2008, recognizing this problem, the Security Council condemned the use of sexual violence in areas involved in conflict On June 19, 2015, the International Day against Sexual Violence in Conflict was established, which was decided to be celebrated on June 19, since on this day the Security Council officially recognized this problem The International Criminal Court, guided by the Rome Statute, classifies sexual violence in military conflict as: rape, forced prostitution or sexual slavery, forced pregnancy (sterilization, abortion, marriage) In some extremist groups operating in Syria and Iraq, members are promised sex slaves as rewards, and trafficking in women and girls is one of the sources of income for these groups Such actions are today defined as a war crime, and in some cases may be considered genocide Women and children have become “bargaining chips” in their wars; this should not be the case – these are the words of the UN Special Representative for the Protection of People Subjected to Sexual Violence Every year on June 19, the UN calls on countries involved in conflict to adhere to civil standards and prevent sexual violence against people