Joint statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, June 2023
Ambassador Holland delivers a joint statement on behalf of ten countries, underlining the importance of effective international action to end impunity for conflict-related sexual violence.
Thank you, Mr Chair. I am delivering this statement in my national capacity, and also on behalf of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Ukraine.
On 19 June, we marked the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. We pay tribute to victims, survivors and those around the world who dedicate their lives to ending conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).
Conflict-related sexual violence continues to shatter lives and scar communities around the world. There is clear evidence that gender-based violence increases in scale and severity in conflict situations. An estimated 20 to 30% of women and girls have experienced non-partner sexual violence in conflict-affected settings. In the OSCE region today, horrific levels of conflict-related sexual violence are being perpetrated through Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Chair, successive Moscow Mechanism reports have documented the horrendous scale of reported acts of sexual violence committed against women, men, girls and boys by members of Russia’s Armed Forces during their war of aggression against Ukraine. This evidence exists because of the brave testimonies of survivors, who, by telling their stories, break down stigma and enable justice.
It is vital that we, the international community, take effective action to end impunity for conflict-related sexual violence. It is vital that individuals responsible are held to account.
The UN Security Council’s resolutions on prevention and response to CRSV are important mechanisms in this regard. Multilateral cooperation and international initiatives such as the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative International Conference, the UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict network, and the OSCE’s mandated work on prevention and accountability for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Armed Conflict highlight the importance of working together towards internationally agreed standards on accountability and support to survivors.
Conflict-related sexual violence must be tackled as part of wider global efforts to end all forms of gender-based violence achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, implement global Women, Peace and Security commitments, and promote and defend comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.
Mr Chair, participating States must continue to work together to promote international action to address and prevent conflict-related sexual violence. We must work to ensure that survivor-centred approaches are at the heart of our collective international response, and that children born out of conflict-related sexual violence are supported, not marginalised.
Thank you, Mr Chair.