Every year on June 19, the global community observes the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, a solemn reminder of the horrific use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. In 2025, the day marks its 11th anniversary with the theme: “Breaking the Cycle, Healing the Scars: Addressing the Intergenerational Effects of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.” The day urges collective action to acknowledge survivors, promote justice, and stop such atrocities from recurring.
Why in News?
June 19, 2025, marks the 11th annual observance of this global awareness day. The 2025 theme emphasizes the long-term trauma passed down through generations due to war-related sexual violence. The United Nations, through its agencies and resolutions, continues to press for stronger action against these crimes that violate human rights and disrupt peacebuilding.
History & Background
- Established by: United Nations General Assembly
- First observed: June 19, 2015
- Significance of the date: Commemorates the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1820 on June 19, 2008, which:
- Recognized sexual violence as a tactic of war
- Classified such crimes as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide
- Called for justice and accountability for perpetrators
Theme 2025
- “Breaking the Cycle, Healing the Scars: Addressing the Intergenerational Effects of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence”
- Highlights how trauma is inherited across generations
- Recognizes the lasting impact on children born of rape during war
- Focuses on healing, justice, and social reintegration
- Encourages storytelling, survivor empowerment, and community support
- Campaigns under the hashtag #EndRapeInWar
Definition by the United Nations
Conflict-related sexual violence includes
- Rape
- Sexual slavery
- Forced prostitution, abortion, or sterilization
- Forced pregnancy or marriage
- Human trafficking for sexual exploitation
- Any other severe sexual violence linked directly or indirectly to a conflict
Key Objectives of the Day
- Raise global awareness of sexual violence in conflict zones
- Honor the courage and resilience of survivors
- Advocate for justice, accountability, and end of impunity
- Support initiatives aimed at psychosocial care and legal aid
- Push governments and institutions to uphold international law and protect victims
Significance & Present-Day Relevance
- In modern warfare, sexual violence continues to be a strategic weapon to terrorize, humiliate, and destabilize populations.
- UN estimates suggest 10–20 cases go unreported for every one case of rape recorded in conflict areas.
- Survivors often face stigma, rejection, and lack of legal support, especially in fragile states.
- Peacekeeping efforts increasingly focus on gender-based protections, but challenges remain due to cultural silence, weak institutions, and lack of data.
Message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres
- “For too many women and children, war is not over when it’s over. Its effects echo long after the final battle and far beyond the battlefield.”
— June 19, 2025 - His message underscores the importance of long-term healing and ensuring survivors are not left behind during post-conflict recovery.
Global Participation & Campaigns
UN bodies, governments, civil society, and survivor-led organizations mark the day through,
- Awareness campaigns
- Storytelling and documentary screenings
- Legal aid clinics and workshops
- Social media campaigns like #EndRapeInWar
- Advocacy for reparations and reforms