June 19 is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. The United Nations General Assembly declared this international day in a resolution of June 19, 2015, with the aim of raising awareness of the need to end this type of violence in conflict, honor the victims and survivors and pay tribute to all those who have dedicated their lives to fighting to end this violence.

The date was chosen to commemorate the Security Council resolution condemning sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peacebuilding, which was adopted on June 19, 2008.

What is sexual violence in conflicts?

The concept of conflict-related sexual violence includes rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancies, forced sterilization and any other act of serious sexual violence against women, men or children that has a direct or indirect connection with a conflict.
Most survivors, out of fear and cultural stigma, do not report these attacks. It is estimated that from one complaint, between 10 and 20 attacks that are not reported are buried.
These types of crimes generate trauma and consequences for many years due to health problems, poverty, unwanted pregnancies, and the stigma they entail.

The year 2019 marks the tenth anniversary of that resolution, with a paradigm shift in the way these conflict-related crimes are understood and also in the response given to help victims who need comprehensive services. In fact, the Security Council published a resolution on April 23, 2019 in which it focuses its efforts on survivors. This approach focused on people who survive this type of violence has two important facets:
Guarantee justice for the victims and their sons and daughters.
The end of impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflicts. On June 19, 2019, a public event will be held to commemorate the fourth year of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. It will be at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

You can follow the topic on social networks under the English hashtag #EndRapeinWar.