Preventing Conflict Related Sexual Violence

In November 2022, the U.K. will host an international Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Conference to encourage much-needed global action to stop Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV). The Conference is a follow-up to the U.K.-hosted global summit in 2014 with former Foreign Secretary William Hague and Angelina Jolie. 2022 marks 10 years from the launch of the PSVI and the Conference will provide the much needed platform to discuss the progress made and any shortfalls yet to be addressed.

CRSV is a pandemic that is yet to be addressed. According to the 12th Report of the UN Secretary General on CRSV, in 2021, CRSV has been reported in at least 18 countries, including in conflict affected settings such as Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Yemen, in post-conflict settings such as Western Balkans, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, and other situations of concern, such as Ethiopia and Nigeria. Even at the time of producing the report, the U.N. was very clear that “while many countries are affected by the threat, occurrence or legacy of conflict-related sexual violence, the present report is focused on 18 countries for which information verified by the United Nations exists.” The report was also produced before Putin’s war in Ukraine and before concerning reports of the Russian military using CRSV against Ukrainians was brought to light, among others.

CRSV is prohibited under international law, however this does not translate into prevention or even prosecution of the perpetrators. Prosecution levels continue to be very low, allowing impunity to flourish.

The Conference in London aims to revive the work on preventing conflict related sexual violence, focusing on four strategic objectives: the global response, prevention, justice for all survivors and holding perpetrators to account; supporting survivors and children born of sexual violence in conflict.

During the Conference, the U.K. Government is to take forward a new Political Declaration to help galvanize the international community to respond to CRSV. The Conference will also be used to encourage greater support to the existing initiatives relating to CRSV, including the Murad Code, the Call to Action to Ensure the Rights and Wellbeing of Children Born of Sexual violence in Conflict, and the Declaration of Humanity.

The Conference should also be used to explore whether the existing mechanisms are enough to bring about change. In 2021, Dr Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, announced a new initiative, the Red Line Initiative, which aims to strike a red line through sexual violence in conflict. The initiative will strive to create a legally binding international instrument to “evoke a clear moral rejection and international outcry when sexual violence is used as a weapon of war; ensure a more robust and timely response by states in line with their international obligations; and establish clear legal obligations that increase the costs not only for individuals but also for governments if they fail to act.” Among others, it would be to introduce a binding duty upon States to prevent CRSV. If it can change the current situation even a bit, it should be pursued. The pandemic of CRSV requires comprehensive response that prioritize prevention of this barbaric crimes.