Mogadishu – Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the United Nations in Somalia today commended communities for continuing to stand with survivors and victims of sexual violence, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).
“In Somalia, CRSV is a crime that targets not only individuals but also their families and communities. For Somalia to build a society free of stigma and the trauma of sexual violence, we all must work to prevent and respond to sexual violence,” said the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan.
“Somali communities deserve praise for supporting survivors and victims of these heinous crimes. The United Nations urges Somali authorities to continue and enhance their efforts through initiatives that address stigma against survivors and victims of sexual violence and support them, their families and communities to heal from these crimes,” Mr. Swan added.
In line with this year’s theme of ‘Intergenerational Effects of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence,’ the United Nations in Somalia works with stakeholders to highlight that sexual violence harms not only the victims of sexual violence, but also the fabric of entire communities and leaves survivors and their families to deal with its devastating effects for years to come.
Since 2015, the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict has been observed annually on 19 June, with the date marking the UN Security Council’s adoption of a resolution recognizing sexual violence as a weapon of war and a threat to international peace and security.
