International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is a day dedicated to raising awareness and bringing attention to the urgent need to eradicate sexual violence against individuals in conflict zones around the world. This observance aims to honour and support survivors, while also recognising the vital role played by survivors, advocates, and civil society organisations in preventing and addressing these heinous acts. Its purpose is to foster an international commitment to eradicate such violence and strengthen accountability for its perpetrators.

This important observance was first established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, in an effort to address the severe consequences of sexual violence on individuals, communities, and entire societies. The United Kingdom has long championed the cause at an international level, through its support and promotion of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI), which has worked towards establishing foundations for long-term reforms to end the use of rape as a weapon of war. The relevance of this day for people in the United Kingdom comes from the undeniable fact that the suffering of those impacted by sexual violence in conflict is a humanitarian crisis, transcending geographic borders and demanding global attention.

The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is commemorated in the United Kingdom through various events, workshops, and conferences. These initiatives seek to promote awareness, engage members of civil society, and harness collective power to confront sexual violence in conflict effectively. The United Kingdom joins the global community in observing this day annually on June 19th, standing in solidarity with survivors and working towards the end of such devastating acts of violence.

Top 1 Facts for 2026 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict in the UK

• The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, observed annually on 19 June, remains a central pillar of British foreign policy through the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI). This initiative was co-founded in 2012 by former Foreign Secretary Lord William Hague and the actor Angelina Jolie, making the United Kingdom a global leader in the fight against the use of rape as a weapon of war.
  
  Here are the most important and interesting facts surrounding the upcoming observance for a UK audience:
  
  The 2026 observance follows the recent appointment of Baroness Harman as the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls, a role created to coordinate global efforts in protecting the rights of survivors and ending gender-based violence.
  Public interest in justice for survivors has been recently bolstered by the Channel 4 documentary Do You Know This Man?, which chronicles the decades-long pursuit of a serial offender and highlights the bravery of survivors who waive their anonymity.
  The UK government has committed approximately £20 million in targeted aid to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan, where such atrocities have seen a devastating resurgence.
  This day commemorates the 2008 adoption of Security Council Resolution 1820, the first international resolution to explicitly recognize sexual violence as a tactic of war and a threat to international security.
  The Murad Code, named after Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad, serves as the primary international standard for the safe and ethical collection of evidence from survivors, ensuring that documentation efforts do not cause further trauma.
  UK-based organizations often highlight the findings of the International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict, a practical toolkit used by investigators to ensure perpetrators are held accountable in international courts.
  The BBC Two documentary Lover, Liar, Predator has recently generated significant national conversation regarding the patterns of coercive control and the power of survivor-led collective action to achieve legal breakthroughs.
  The 2026 commemorations are expected to focus heavily on the intergenerational effect of conflict-related sexual violence, examining how trauma and social stigma can impact families and communities for decades after a conflict ends.
  The United Kingdom continues to spearhead the What Works to Prevent Violence programme, which provides evidence that community-based prevention strategies can reduce the prevalence of violence by up to half.
  The upcoming observance coincides with renewed UK diplomatic pressure regarding atrocities in Ukraine, where documenting conflict-related sexual violence remains a priority for international prosecutors.

In the News and Trending in the UK for International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

Top things to do in the UK for this observance

• Explore the UN related site stoprapenow.org. They work with 19 UN entities to end sexual violence in conflict.
• Explore the UN's youth exhibit on sexual violence in conflict. It features depictions and illustrations that touch on a theme of horror and hope.
• Watch a documentary to learn more about the history of sexual violence in conflict areas and the UK's involvement. Here are some suggestions:
  1. No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka (2013). This documentary investigates the alleged war crimes committed against the Tamil Tigers by the Sri Lankan government during the final months of the Sri Lankan Civil War. The film highlights the role of the international community in responding to the crisis.
  2. The Prosecutors (2018). This documentary film follows three lawyers who take on cases of sexual violence in conflict zones around the world.
• Read a book to learn more about the history of sexual violence in conflict areas. Here are our recommendations:
  1. Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: International Law, Local Responses by Tonia St. Germain and Susan Dewey
  2. Wartime Sexual Violence: From Silence to Condemnation of a Weapon of War by Kerry F. Crawford
  3. Rape as a Crime in International Humanitarian Law: Where to From Here? by Christine Chinkin