EU,UN released Joint Statement on Elimination of Sexual Violence

The European Union High Representative, Josep Borrell, and the United Nation Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten released Joint Statement on Friday.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the United Nations and the European Union join their voices to call on the international community to accelerate its efforts to eliminate the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence.

According to the statement, the devastating risks for women and girls in fragile and conflict-affected contexts and creates an environment that may worsen violence against women and children, including sexual violence and intimate partner violence.

“The voices of the survivors of conflict-related sexual violence risk being silenced and forgotten. Current restrictions on people’s movement impede survivors’ access to essential services, including security, protection and sexual and reproductive health services, and hamper them in seeking justice” said the statement.

The United Nations Office in Somalia report in 2019 indicates 774 incidents of violence, of which 244 were rape cases in different regions.

The two joint statements requested the Civil society, international and regional organizations, human rights defenders, peacebuilders, traditional elders and religious leaders, the media and the private to play essential roles in challenging the harmful gender norms that perpetuate sexual violence around the world.

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