International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

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. The term also encompasses trafficking in persons when committed in situations of conflict for the purpose of sexual violence or exploitation. It is under-reported. For example, for each conflict-related rape, 10 to 20 cases go undocumented. International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence, 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 date commemorates the adoption of Security Council resolution 1820 (2008) condemning sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peacebuilding.