International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
June 19
About International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed every year on 19 June. It is a United Nations day dedicated to raising awareness of conflict-related sexual violence, honouring survivors and victims around the world, and recognising those who have worked to end these crimes. The day calls on governments, institutions and individuals to confront one of the most persistent and underreported consequences of war.
What is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict?
The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is an annual UN observance that focuses attention on sexual violence used as a weapon and tactic of war. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly and is coordinated by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. The day exists to honour survivors, to pay tribute to those who have devoted, and in some cases lost, their lives standing up against these crimes, and to press for accountability. Conflict-related sexual violence includes rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced marriage and other acts of comparable gravity linked directly or indirectly to armed conflict.
When is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict?
The day is observed annually on 19 June. In 2026 it falls on Friday, 19 June. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year, so there is no need to recalculate it each year. The 19 June date was chosen deliberately to mark a significant moment in international law, which is explained in the history section below.
Why the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict Matters
Sexual violence in conflict is not an incidental by-product of war. In many conflicts it is used as a deliberate strategy to terrorise communities, displace populations and assert control. The United Nations Security Council recognised in 2008 that the widespread or systematic use of sexual violence can constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity, or an act of genocide. Survivors frequently face lasting physical and psychological harm, social stigma and barriers to justice, and the true scale of the problem is widely believed to be underreported because of fear, shame and a lack of safe reporting channels.
The most recent reporting from the UN Secretary-General has documented that conflict-related sexual violence continues to be used as a tactic of war, repression and control, with overlapping armed conflicts, mass displacement and shrinking humanitarian space worsening the risks. The day matters because awareness drives funding for survivor support, strengthens the push for prosecutions, and helps shift the burden of shame away from those harmed and onto those responsible. If you care about wider human rights observances, you may also wish to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which shares a focus on accountability and survivor dignity.
How to Get Involved in the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
There are many ways to mark the day responsibly and support the people most affected. Survivors should always be at the centre of any action taken.
- Learn the facts – Read the UN Secretary-General’s annual report on conflict-related sexual violence to understand where these crimes are occurring and what is being done to address them.
- Support specialist organisations – Donate to or volunteer with charities that provide medical care, legal aid, counselling and livelihood support to survivors in conflict-affected regions.
- Amplify survivor voices respectfully – Share survivor-led campaigns and verified information without sharing graphic detail or anything that could identify individuals without their consent.
- Champion the Murad Code – Encourage journalists, researchers and investigators to follow the Murad Code, the global code of conduct for safely and ethically gathering information from survivors.
- Press for accountability – Write to elected representatives asking them to support investigations, prosecutions and the exclusion of these crimes from amnesty deals in peace processes.
- Educate your network – Host a discussion, screening or talk in your workplace, school or community group to explain why sexual violence in conflict is a peace and security issue, not only a women’s issue.
- Fund prevention – Support programmes that train peacekeepers, security forces and humanitarian workers to prevent and respond to sexual violence.
- Observe a moment of solidarity – Mark the day with a moment of reflection, light a candle, or join an official UN event online to stand with survivors worldwide.
History of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
The roots of the day lie in a landmark legal moment. On 19 June 2008, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1820. For the first time, the Council explicitly recognised sexual violence as a tactic of war and a matter of international peace and security, rather than treating it as a private or inevitable consequence of conflict. The resolution demanded the immediate and complete cessation of all acts of sexual violence against civilians, stressed that such crimes should be excluded from amnesty provisions in peace settlements, and recognised that rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, or a constitutive act of genocide.
Seven years later, the United Nations General Assembly built on that foundation. On 19 June 2015, through resolution A/RES/69/293, the Assembly proclaimed 19 June of each year as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. The date was chosen specifically to commemorate the adoption of Resolution 1820, linking the awareness day directly to the moment international law first treated these crimes as a threat to global security. The stated aims were to raise awareness of the need to end conflict-related sexual violence, to honour victims and survivors, and to pay tribute to those who have devoted, and lost, their lives in standing up for the eradication of these crimes.
Since then, the day has grown into a focal point for advocacy. The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the UN Action network, a coalition of more than two dozen UN entities, coordinate awareness efforts each year. Survivor advocates, including Nobel Peace Prize laureates, have used the date to call for stronger justice mechanisms and better support services, helping to keep international attention on a crime that has too often been met with silence.
Noteworthy Facts About the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
- The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on 19 June 2015 through resolution A/RES/69/293.
- The 19 June date marks the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1820 on 19 June 2008.
- Resolution 1820 was the first time the Security Council formally linked sexual violence as a tactic of war to the women, peace and security agenda.
- The Murad Code, a global code of conduct for ethically documenting these crimes, is named in recognition of survivor advocacy and is available in fourteen languages.
- UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict is a network of more than 25 UN entities working together to end these crimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict?
It is an annual UN observance on 19 June that raises awareness of sexual violence used as a weapon of war, honours survivors and victims, and calls for accountability and prevention.
When is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict in 2026?
It takes place on Friday, 19 June 2026. The date is fixed and is observed on 19 June every year.
Why was 19 June chosen for this day?
The date commemorates the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1820 on 19 June 2008, which recognised sexual violence as a tactic of war and a threat to international peace and security.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict with your friends, family and followers. Use the hashtags #EndRapeInWar and #EndSVC2026 on social media. The more people who understand that these crimes are preventable and punishable, the stronger the call for justice becomes.
Related Awareness Days
- International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – A UN day on 26 June focused on justice and rehabilitation for those subjected to torture, sharing this day’s commitment to accountability.
- World Refugee Day – Marked on 20 June, it highlights the experiences of people forced to flee, many of whom face heightened risks of conflict-related violence.
- International Day for Countering Hate Speech – Observed on 18 June, it addresses the dehumanising rhetoric that can fuel atrocities including violence in conflict.
Links
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