International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2023: Theme, History and Significance – Every year, International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is observed on June 19 to highlight the issue of conflict-related sexual violence and inspire efforts to prevent it. As per the United Nations, “conflict-related sexual violence” includes sexual slavery, forced prostitution, rape, forced pregnancy, forced marriage, enforced sterilization, forced abortion, and other forms of sexual violence that are carried out against men, women, girls or boys who are directly or indirectly affected by a conflict.
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International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2023: Theme
The theme for the 2023 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is “bridging the gender digital divide to prevent, address, and respond to conflict-related sexual violence”.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “We must ensure technology supports our efforts to prevent and end these crimes, including by increasing access and holding people to account for their actions online”.
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International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2023: History
- The United Nations General Assembly founded International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence on June 19, 2015, aimed at creating awareness about the need to end conflict-related sexual violence and honoring people who are subjected to sexual violence around the world.
- The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly to pay tribute to those who strived to eradicate the crime and lost their lives doing that.
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- On June 19, 2008, the Security Council resolution 1820 was adopted. the resolution covered sexual violence as “a tactic of war and an impediment to peacebuilding”.
- In order to mark the adoption of the resolution, June 19 was designated as International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence.