A UN and European call for urgent international action to protect children from sexual violence in conflict

The United Nations and the European Union have called for urgent and coordinated action to combat violations of armed conflict-related sexual violence against children, which continues to target girls and boys in conflict zones around the world.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, and the Special Representative of the European Union for Human Rights, Kaisa Ollongren, confirmed in a joint statement on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict that children are still exposed to rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, human trafficking, sexual torture and other forms of sexual violence violations.

The statement stressed the condemnation of the use of these crimes as a means of war, repression, or terrorism, warning against the continuation of these crimes, which leave profound physical, psychological, and social effects, disrupt education and development, and leave their negative repercussions reflected on generations.

The statement also stressed that sexual violence is one of the most heinous violations against children, mainly girls and boys during armed conflicts, pointing out that fear and social stigma push many survivors into silence, while perpetrators often escape punishment.

He called for adopting a comprehensive approach that focuses on victims and takes into account psychological trauma, by strengthening child protection systems, ensuring access to justice, providing appropriate compensation, and holding those responsible for these crimes accountable.

The statement revealed continued cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union in implementing a joint project aimed at enhancing information exchange and building capabilities at the global level to confront conflict-related sexual violence, and support humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts.

The two sides renewed their commitment to a close partnership to combat conflict-related sexual violence, including violations targeting children, by supporting national authorities, civil society organizations and front-line workers, and strengthening legal frameworks and accountability mechanisms.

The two sides concluded their joint statement by calling on all UN member states, parties to conflicts and the international community to fulfill their obligations under international law, including protecting children’s rights and preventing all forms of sexual violence against children.