We’re all familiar with the death and destruction of war, but one aspect that often escapes our attention is the sexual violence that can occur during war. During armed conflicts, sexual violence is a tactic that’s too often used to torture and cause terror in civilian populations. And it’s a practice that absolutely has to be stopped.

Fortunately, there’s a holiday that attempts to raise awareness about this disgraceful practice so that sexual violence during war can eventually be eliminated. This holiday is known as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, and it’s observed every June 19th.

The History of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

This holiday was created by the United Nations’ adoption of Security Council resolution 1820 on June 19, 2015. This resolution was initially proposed in 2008 but wasn’t adopted until several years later.

Horrific Facts About Sexual Violence in Conflict

To highlight the problem of sexual violence during war, it’s important for people to know the actual statistics and terms used to better understand it. Below are some of the facts we’ve uncovered during our research.

• The term “conflict-related sexual violence” refers to rape, enforced sterilization, forced marriage, forced abortion, forced pregnancy, sexual slavery, and forced prostitution.
• Approximately 1 in 6 children living in conflict zones is at risk of sexual violence.
• The countries where women and children face the greatest risk of sexual violence in conflict are Colombia, Iraq, Somalia, and Syria.

Observing the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

Although the primary purpose of this holiday is to raise the public’s awareness about sexual violence during conflict so that it can eventually be eliminated, another purpose of this holiday is to honor all the victims of sexual violence. It’s also a day to pay tribute to those who have worked hard towards the elimination of sexual violence and may even have lost their lives in the process.