More than 4,600 cases of sexual violence in conflicts in 2024 – and a UN emphasized the need to hold accountability and support the survivors

This is confirmed by Permela Patten, the private representative of the Secretary -General concerned with sexual violence during the conflicts during her talk in the annual open discussion of the Security Council, on sexual violence associated with disputes, which was held this year under the title: “Determining innovative strategies to ensure the arrival of survivors of sexual violence in conflict areas to life and protection saving services.”

I reviewed the private actress The annual Secretary -General’s report on sexual violence associated with conflict Which documented more than 4,600 cases of sexual violence linked to conflict in 2024 – an increase of 25% over 2023.

Women and girls are still not affected by (92% of cases), and the ages of victims range between one year and 75, with sexual violence against children increasing by 35%. Survivors face shame, lack of services, and unsafe reporting channels, which makes the official data much lower than the actual number.

The report of this year included 63 entities suspected, reliably suspected of committing or taking responsibility for patterns of sexual violence in cases of conflict on the agenda of the Security Council, with new parties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, and the occupied Palestinian land. Permela Patten emphasized that preventing and treating this scourge is no longer a mere aspiration, but rather an obligation that must be respected, applied and executed.

A young Sudanese story

Permela Patten shared a painful story of a Sudanese young woman who was raped by the Rapid Support Forces:

One day, a young woman, who graduated recently in international relations, resigned, a bus to bring her testimony in Khartoum. By the end of that day, her life ended as she knew her. After withdrawing her from the bus, she was subjected to a collective rape under the threat of weapons by four members of the Rapid Support Forces, and the aggressors left her in a dark alley. It is in Port Sudan. For countless women and girls. “

The special actress quoted a saying to Nadia Murad, a Nobel’s sexual violence and a Nobel violence when she said: “I want to be the last girl to have a story like my story.”

Increased humanitarian needs, and decreased savior financing for life

Despite the increasing humanitarian needs, the funding allocated to women’s field organizations and life -saving aid is reduced, while global military expenditures are escalating. Survivors of gender -based violence are left in places such as the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, Ethiopia and Gaza, without basic care.

Patten said that after eighty years United Nations Charter And 25 years on the adoption of the Security Council resolution on women, peace and security, the world is going back, as funding is withdrawn from basic programs instead of protecting women’s rights and supporting peace. She said: “If we are serious about peace, we must finance institutions that make peace as possible.”

Invisible faces behind the numbers

There are many invisible faces behind the facts and numbers presented in the report. Each of them puts a mirror in front of our moral responsibility, according to the UN official, noting that the report draws attention to several disturbing directions:

• Firstly, Women, displaced and refugee girls are still exposed to increasing risks of sexual violence, which hinders their safe return.
• secondly, Food insecurity increases the risk of sexual violence and exploitation, as the warring parties restrict the arrival or prevention of humanitarian aid.
• Third, The acceleration of the United Nations peace processes and transitions has reduced the ability of the United Nations system to reach and support the survivors, especially in Mali, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Fourth, Non -governmental armed groups, including the United Nations -class groups as terrorist, continue to use sexual violence to enhance their control over lands and profitable natural resources, and to motivate the recruitment of fighters.
• Fifth, The spread of small and light weapons still nourishes sexual violence associated with conflict. United Nations data refers to the use of firearms in 70-90% of registered cases.
• Sixth, Sexual violence in detention centers is used for torture and intimidation. This has been documented in Myanmar, the occupied Palestinian land, Syria, Yemen, and Ukraine, as well as against men, boys and migrants in Libya.

A message to survivors and survivors

At the end of her surrounding, Permela Batten, the special actress of the Secretary -General concerned with sexual violence during the conflicts, sent a special message in which she said:

To the survivors and respondents in the front lines, who continue to attend – even if they are without pay or protection – I would like to tell you direct Rules based. “

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** He Directly or indirectly connected.