Secretary-General, in Message for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Urges Shifting Shame, Social Stigma Faced by Victims to Perpetrators

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, observed on 19 June:

The world continues to witness appalling levels of sexual violence in wartime.  No region is immune to this scourge, which continues to affect women, girls, boys and men.  There has also been clear progress and unprecedented political momentum to address these crimes.

Sexual violence is now widely recognized as a deliberate strategy used to shred the fabric of society, to control and intimidate communities and to force people from their homes.  It is rightly seen as a threat to international peace and security, a serious violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, and a major impediment to post-conflict reconciliation and economic development.

There have been landmark cases against political and military leaders, demonstrating that the era of impunity for sexual violence as a tool of war is over.  I pay tribute today to the many thousands of caregivers, medical practitioners, advocates and others on the front line of this battle, who are fighting for change.

However, we still face serious challenges.  One extremely disturbing aspect is the use of sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism.  Da’esh, Boko Haram and other extremist groups are using sexual violence as a means of attracting and retaining fighters, and to generate revenue.  Abducted women, men, girls and boys suffer the most terrible trauma through brutal physical and sexual assault, child and forced marriages and sexual slavery on a massive scale.

The abduction of more than 200 girls from Chibok in Nigeria, and the continued tragedy of women and girls subjected to forced marriage or sexual slavery by extremist groups in the Middle East, are two of the most horrific examples of the use of sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism.  I call for the immediate release of all those taken captive, and for the care and support of those who return, who can suffer from social isolation and depression.  Women and girls with children may need specialized medical and psychosocial support, and this must extend to the children themselves, who can suffer complete rejection.

The shame and social stigma faced by these women and children should be redirected towards the brutal perpetrators of violence.  We must continue to speak up for the women, girls, men and boys whose bodies for too long have been considered the spoils of war.