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International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict Today, we join the global community in recognizing the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. This day serves as a reminder of the atrocities faced by countless men, women, and children in war zones worldwide. On October 7th, we witnessed harrowing acts of sexual violence, a stark reminder of the brutality inflicted upon innocent lives. We stand in solidarity with all survivors, demanding justice and calling for an end to these heinous crimes. Together, we must raise our voices to ensure that no one suffers in silence. Let us unite in our commitment to ending sexual violence in conflict and creating a world where safety and dignity are upheld for all. Join us in advocating for change. Share this post and spread awareness. #EndSexualViolence #InternationalDay #StandWithSurvivors #PeaceAndJustice #NoMoreViolence

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict🕊️ Today, we stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence in conflict and renew our commitment to ending this grave human rights violation. At the Obijackson Foundation, we believe in a world where everyone can live free from fear and violence. Sexual violence in conflict destroys lives, shatters communities, and perpetuates cycles of trauma and insecurity. It is a tactic of war that targets the most vulnerable, leaving deep scars that can take generations to heal. On this day, we reaffirm our dedication to supporting survivors, advocating for justice, and raising awareness about this critical issue. We call on all nations and communities to join us in taking concrete actions to protect and empower those affected by sexual violence in conflict. Together, we can create a safer, more just world where the dignity and rights of every individual are upheld. #endsexualviolence #standwithsurvivors #obijacksonfoundation #humanrights #peaceandjustice #internationaldanceday

As we begin #16DaysOfActivism against gender-based violence, I want to draw your attention to the risks faced by women in wartime. Sexual violence shatters lives, families, and communities. It causes profound shame and lasting psychological harm. International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC we don’t wait to document sexual violence first to start working on it. we work with the assumption that in most war zones, the heinous practice is there, and often widespread. This approach shifts the burden from survivors and ensures timely prevention and response. We must fight rape and all forms of sexual violence with unwavering determination. #16DaysOfActivism2024

An effective approach to preventing conflict-related sexual violence considers both immediate physical protection as well as longer-term action to empower and shift inequitable gender norms/constructs of masculinity. Throughout all phases of a conflict, access to quality, survivor-centred response services are a prerequisite to ethical and effective prevention. Read the policy brief by WhatWorks2PreventVAWG here https://lnkd.in/e2NW5udJ

🌍 Commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 🌍 Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, SDDirect (https://lnkd.in/dKsSAh5i) stands in solidarity with survivors and reaffirms our commitment to ending this grave violation of human rights. Sexual violence in conflict devastates individuals, families, and entire communities, leaving lasting scars. To mark this important day, we are proud to share these evidence-based resources: **Evidence for Action: What Works to Prevent Conflict-Related Sexual Violence** (a comprehensive report and a policy brief) These resources provide evidence-based strategies and actionable insights to help organisations and policymakers prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict zones effectively. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d4-iYtHa Our work at SDDirect (https://lnkd.in/dFiBPs5P) includes developing robust safeguarding standards, providing comprehensive training, and supporting systematic reviews to address and prevent sexual violence in conflict zones. These resources are part of our ongoing efforts to empower organisations and ensure justice for survivors. Together, we can build a future of dignity, safety, and peace for all. #EndSexualViolence #ConflictResolution #Safeguarding #HumanRights #SDDirect #InternationalDay #EvidenceForAction

🚨 International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict | While #conflict-related sexual violence (#CRSV) occurs in conflict settings, we must address it within the broader context of #gender-based violence (#GBV). Due to deep-rooted #political, #socioeconomic, #cultural and institutional drivers of sexual and GBV in conflict, CRSV is predominantly perpetrated against girls and #women but is also experienced by boys, men and #LGBTIQ+ individuals. 🚨 Frequently and deliberately used as a weapon of #war, often terrorizing local populations believed to be supporters of their enemies, CRSV has many devastating impacts, inflicting long-term trauma for individuals and societies. ⬇ In this factsheet, we dive deep into the structural drivers of conflict-related sexual #violence and common misconceptions related to it. 💡 Valuable research, data and narrative have been conducted by the amazing Alexandra Lily Kather, an international justice practitioner and co-founder of The Emergent Justice Collective with the support of our also amazing Programme Coordinator, Aida Fatic!

I think there is a strong connection between the increase in GBV and neoliberalization. If I look at my own country, Mongolia, I see a deeper dynamic, linked to the shift in the economic structure and the lowered social status of women as compared to the socialist period. This is the backdrop to the increase of violence against women and girls, not only in numbers but also in severity. There is also a deeper influence of western patriarchal media, full of sexual objectification of women and women as housewives with husbands as sole providers - these images were largely new for Mongolians in the 1990s. They were, however, seen as progressive because they came from the West, the USA, the "beacon of democracy." At the same time, the WTO and other financial and economic organizations, bilaterial donor agencies, all advised Mongolia to pursue free market economy as the only way to democracy and development. This included free trade, i.e. lowering tariffs for imports, canceling all protection for domestic producers, resulting in the dumping of cheap, low quality and often hazardous goods from neighboring China. The industries and farms painstakingly built during the socialist period, which were increasingly providing for most basic needs of the population were decimated in the name of development under the euphemism of "structural adjustment." Unemployment, poverty, deepening structural inequality, political instability, massive social dislocation, rising crime and interpersonal violence, crisis of national identity, crisis of Mongolian masculinity, psychosomatic stress, scramble for power and wealth, rise in alcohol abuse and addiction, internalised racism and colonialism, heightened ethnic tensions, inter-generational conflict, national monopolies colluding with transnational interests, wide-spread corruption, etc. I do believe it is important to look at deeper interconnected tectonic factors when we are talking about any issue of concern, including GBV. Not surprisingly, much of GBV research comes from the west - the theories and methodologies. Their level of analysis is largely on the personal, relationship, family layers, very rarely do they seriously look at systemic and structural factors in a given context. To the extent they do, e.g. looking at laws and institutions, they do not link to the underlying socio-economic conditions that will continue to hamper the implementation of those laws and policies. This narrow approach to research continues to align with dehistoricization, neocolonialism and neoliberal agenda. It is positive that we are seeing more discussion linking GBV to women's economic empowerment but, once again, many projects for WEE only focus on women's entrepreneurship as if free market were a total and only possible solution.

As a Global Goals Ambassador, I would like to share that SDG 16, target 16.1 refers to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. As a survivor leader on high-level advisory councils providing program and policy consultations, I support CEDAW to prevent, investigate and punish all forms of gender-based violence, in particular sexual violence perpetrated by State and non-State actors; and implement a policy of zero tolerance. Gender-based violence is a human rights violation and it needs immediate action to support survivors and implement effective prevention measures. I call to action all human rights activists and civil society organizations to join our forces to end this grave issue together. Join the International Coalition to End Gender-based Violence: https://lnkd.in/gFM-Mq6A For survivors of gender-based, we welcome you to the International Survivors Network: https://lnkd.in/g-hmVsBk #UNWomen #CSW68 #CEDAW #SDG #EileenDongOfficial #GlobalGoalsAmbassador #humanrights #humantrafficking #genderbasedviolence

16 Days of Activism: Unite to End GBV & Domestic Violence! Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Domestic Violence are not just personal tragedies, they are societal crises that affect millions globally, leaving individuals, families, and communities with enduring scars. Shockingly, 1 in 3 women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, underscoring the urgent need for action. Ending this epidemic requires all of us to speak out, challenge harmful norms, and support survivors by connecting them with critical resources. It is equally vital to educate ourselves about GBV, recognize its signs, and advocate for policies that protect and empower those affected. Together, we can create a world where violence has no place—a world where everyone can live free from fear and with dignity. Let’s raise our voices, amplify this message, and take a stand today! #16DaysOfActivism #EndGBV #StopDomesticViolence #SouthAfricaUnites

Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) continues to devastate the lives of the world's most vulnerable individuals. A recent United Nations report reveals that in 2023 alone, there were 3,500 verified cases of CRSV across 21 settings – a figure that in reality barely scratches the surface due to severe underreporting. Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, we must remember these numbers are not just statistics. They represent real people whose lives are shattered by horrific acts. I’m proud to share CTG’s collaboration with UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) on a significant white paper, outlining seven practical steps the private sector can take to help prevent and respond to CRSV. This initiative is close to my heart and I believe it can make a real difference. Read the white paper here and join the businesses taking action: https://bit.ly/3zabP0T