Understanding the need for long-term investment to promote survivor-centered and trauma-informed healing and recovery.

 

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) attacks social cohesion by destroying the fabric of entire communities and leaving survivors and their families to reckon with its devastating effects, long after the guns fall silence. Used as a tactic of war, torture, and terror sexual violence targets not only individuals, but their families, communities, and even societies as a whole, often leading to generational trauma. Many survivors are silenced by fears of reprisals and retaliation, by the limited availability of support services, and by the misplaced blame, shame and stigma that is borne by the victims, rather than the perpetrators. Conflict-related sexual violence is a war crime, a crime against humanity, and a constituent act of genocide under international law. It is a threat to individual and collective security and an impediment to the restoration of durable peace. The effects of this crime echo across generations, manifested through physical and psychological trauma, stigma, and poverty. Conflict-related sexual violence can impact survivors and their families for generations, both physically and mentally. Additionally, the stigmatization of sexual violence in some communities can cause both survivors and their families to be ostracized and unable to access social safety nets and community networks that are crucial to the healing process. This can be exacerbated by a pregnancy resulting from sexual 2 violence and can cause generations of children to be rejected by their community. Furthermore, sexual violence is linked with other violations in times of war, notably when men, women and children are abducted and/or recruited into armed groups. As a global community, we must seek to examine the long-term effects of conflict-related sexual violence. We need to widen the aperture to illustrate how conflict-related sexual violence affects families and communities across time and space. If left unaddressed, its arms compound over time. CRSV is not confined to a one-off incident, its effects often include long-term trauma, economic disempowerment, social marginalization and continued cycles of insecurity including violence, vengeance and vigilantism. Without intervention, this cycle of trauma perpetuates social fragmentation and lasting psychological trauma. Healing requires access to mental health and psychosocial support. Survivors and their families need trauma-informed care to help them process their experiences and build resilience. Community-based interventions, child-friendly support for child survivors, education, and legislative policy changes also play a role in preventing CRSV and supporting survivors. By addressing intergenerational trauma, we can enable a future where survivors and their children can reclaim their lives and future and replace horror with healing and hope. In line with General Assembly Resolution 69/293 of 2015, an event will be held to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. This International Day is commemorated every year, on or around 19 June, which marks the date of the unanimous adoption of the first Security Council resolution to recognize conflict-related sexual violence as a tactic of war and a threat to international peace and security (S/RES/1820 of 2008). The purpose of this event is to stand in solidarity with survivors and those supporting them, to spark hope as we lift our voices to say: “#EndRapeInWar”.

EVENT: The event will begin with opening remarks by the three co-hosts and the trailer of the documentary “Fighting the Silence: 15 Years of the Mandate to End Sexual Violence in Conflict”. The Head of the Combating Violence Against Women and Children Commission of the Government of Sudan will join us virtually, followed by a short video from a Sudanese survivor. A representative of the Sepur Zarco Grandmothers will participate virtually from Guatemala and their statement will be followed by remarks from the Founder and General Coordinator of a civil society organization from Haiti. The coordinated work of the United Nations system in “delivering as one” in the fight against conflict-related sexual violence will be presented by the Assistant-Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, an active member of the UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict network, which is chaired by the SRSG-SVC. This will be followed by a statement from the Executive Director of the NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security (TBC). The Founder of Nalafem, who serves as one of the mandate’s Global Champions in the Fight against Sexual Violence in Conflict, will share a video statement. To conclude, representatives of Member States, Regional Groups, and Civil Society will be invited to make brief interventions from the floor

Opening Segment: 

Moderator: Bureau Chief and Correspondent at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Sherwin Bryce-Pease 

1. Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations, H.E. Francisco Fabián Tropepi 

2. Video from the 15-year anniversary of the SVC mandate 

3. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Under-Secretary-General, Ms. Pramila Patten 

4. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and Under-Secretary-General, Ms. Virginia Gamba 

Special Guests: 

Moderator: Bureau Chief and Correspondent at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Sherwin Bryce-Pease 

1. Live statement from the Head of Unit for Combating Violence Against Women, Ministry of Social Development of the Sudan, Dr. Sulaima Elkhalifa 

2. Video statement from a Survivor from Sudan 3. Live statement from the Sepur Zarco Grandmothers (Guatemala) 

4. Statement from the Founder and General Coordinator of the feminist organization Nègès Mawon (Haiti), Ms. Lucia D. Pascale Solages

 5. Statement from Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, on behalf of the UN Action network 

6. Statement from the Executive Director of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Ms. Kaavya Asoka (TBC) 

7. Video statement from the former African Union Envoy on Youth, Nalafem Founder and Global Champion in the Fight against Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Aya Chebbi 

8. Interventions from Member States and Regional Groups, including co-sponsors of General Assembly Resolution 69/293 Moderator closes the event. 

Expected outcomes: 

1. Statements by the panelists, Member States, and senior United Nations officials, as informed by the perspectives of survivors and civil society representatives, will deepen global understanding of this under-explored dimension of the Conflict-related sexual Violence CRSV agenda. 

2. Member States will reiterate their commitment to addressing CRSV, including through adequate, flexible, and sustainable resourcing to the Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Multi-Partner Trust Fund (CRSV MPTF), understanding the need for long-term investment to promote survivor-centered and trauma-informed healing and recovery. 

4 The event will make the case for both acute crisis response and long-term recovery and resilience-building. 

3. Enhanced media coverage globally, including the promotion of key messages on social media (#EndRapeinWar), and a dedicated microsite hosted by the United NationsDepartment of Global Communications featuring the United Nations Secretary-General’s annualmessage and other relevant resources.

Watch the Live webcast!