Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I wish to commend the Permanent Missions of Albania, Ukraine, and the Republic of the Sudan for organizing this event and for bringing together policy-makers, civil society representatives, and 鈥撀爉ost importantly聽鈥� survivors themselves. This solemn day marks a crucial time for reflection, action and unwavering commitment towards eradicating one of the most egregious human rights abuses of our time -conflict-related sexual violence.
Today, we gather to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, at a time when the trendlines for conflict-related sexual violence are worsening. The world is facing the highest number of conflicts since World War II, with every new wave of warfare bringing a rising tide of sexual violence of unspeakable brutality used deliberately to destabilize societies, dehumanize populations, and displace communities. Conflict-related sexual violence remains a persistent, pervasive, and profoundly devastating crime, which continues to be wielded as a cheap and effective tactic of war, terror, torture, and political repression. These troubling trends are occurring amid聽widespread rollbacks of women鈥檚 rights, rising militarization and arms proliferation and聽cuts to overseas development聽aid.
In April, I was in Sudan where a brutal conflict is being fought on and over the bodies of women and children. I was horrified by the testimonies I heard from women and girls, who had been very recently raped and/or gang raped. Next week, I will be going to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where amid the acute insecurity and challenges in accessing necessary services, reports of an alarming increase in sexual violence including rape, gang rape and sexual slavery, perpetrated by all parties to the conflict, continue to surface. And yet, the promise expressed by the Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, focusing on conflict-related sexual violence, is 鈥減revention鈥�.
Today we know more than ever before about what motivates sexual violence; who the perpetrators are; and the service response required by survivors. Survivors need more than just our solidarity. They need tangible support systems, including medical, sexual and reproductive health care, psychological support, legal aid and avenues for social and economic reintegration. It is imperative that member states prioritize and bolster funding directed towards these lifesaving services. Only through significant investment can we repair the physical and psychological scars borne by survivors and help them rebuild their lives.
Conflict-related sexual violence is not a lesser crime. We must also enhance our collective efforts in the pursuit of justice. Justice must be served, for it is only through accountability that we can deter future violations and dismantle the impunity that enables such crimes. At a moment of backlash and regression, a failure to sustain progress would not only betray survivors but further embolden perpetrators. Through the two operational arms of my office, the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and the 蘑菇视频 Action Network Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, our goal is to restore agency to survivors and empower them at every step, from accessing services, to reporting and testifying in the courtroom.
As we work towards these goals, let us pay tribute to the survivors themselves. Their courage and resilience inspire us daily. They are more than just victims; they are formidable forces for change, advocates for justice and the heartbeat driving the global movement to eradicate conflict-related sexual violence.
In closing, let us reaffirm our commitment to stand unified in our fight against conflict related sexual violence. Let this day serve as a catalyst for renewed determination, action and hope for a future free from such brutality.