The United Nations (UN) on Wednesday commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, highlighting the vital role hospitals play in helping survivors heal.
The UN General Assembly, in June 2015, proclaimed June 19 each year as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence.
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.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his message to mark the Day, reiterated that protecting healthcare facilities was a “fundamental tenet” of international humanitarian law, which governed the conduct of war.
“But attacks on hospitals and healthcare facilities, and the targeting of healthcare workers, can severely limit access to medical care and psychosocial support for survivors,” he said.
He also highlighted the long-term impact on women and girls, as well as men and boys.
“Women and girls who experience sexual violence may become pregnant from rape and require immediate sexual and reproductive healthcare.
“Men and boys may be at risk of increased isolation if they cannot access appropriate care.”
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA), in a separate message, emphasised the devastating impacts of sexual violence, particularly in conflicts, noting that the voices of women and girl survivors “remain mutated” in decisions on peace and security or humanitarian assistance, isolating them from solutions.
“Life-saving gender-based violence services, which address the needs, rights and wishes of survivors, continue to be insufficient across countries engaged in conflicts,” the agency said.
“Survivors as well as women and girls more generally, must be engaged as leaders of humanitarian-response programming, as they are best placed to create solutions for the challenges they face,” UNFPA added, calling for greater funding for protection and support programmes.
Sexual violence in conflicts is a war crime and perpetrators must be held to account, the sexual and reproductive health agency said.
Few cases of conflict-related sexual violence are reported and even fewer are investigated or prosecuted.
“Sexual violence destroys lives and violates human rights. It must not be ‘normalised’ as something that is destined to happen, something that cannot be stopped.
“We must work together to end this horror, not allow it to endlessly repeat,” Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, said.
Civilians, especially vulnerable groups, are under increased threat of sexual violence and other abuses globally amid a multiplication of wars and crises that have forced a record 117 million people to flee their homes and communities.
Attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as healthcare facilities, and their use for military purposes have further deprived survivors of critical services, posing challenges to safe reporting and response.
“Hospitals and other healthcare facilities should be beacons of safety and healing for all those injured in conflict, including the survivors of sexual violence.
“On this International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, let us pledge to eliminate this scourge, stand in solidarity with survivors, and reaffirm our commitment to protecting hospitals and healthcare facilities during conflict,” Guterres said.
June 19 also marks the adoption in 2008 of Security Council resolution 1820 Security Council resolution, which condemned sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peace.
In New York, a special event was hosted by the offices of the UN special envoys on children and armed conflict and sexual violence in conflict, along with the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the UN.
Discussions focused on attacks against healthcare in conflict-affected areas, with nations reiterating their commitment to addressing conflict-related sexual violence and supporting survivors through a dedicated trust fund.
A microsite was also produced, featuring key messages and important resources alongside a virtual exhibition on a survivor’s journey.
NAN
