“Sexual violence in conflict is used as a weapon of war and is a brutal assault on human dignity and rights: it inflicts unbearable suffering, destroys lives and fractures communities. It is also a war crime, but perpetrators are rarely held accountable for their actions. Instead, it is survivors who carry the burden of trauma and stigma throughout their lives.

This International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, I and my fellow Elders stand in solidarity with survivors. We call on leaders to work more urgently to prevent this crime, to challenge impunity, and to support and protect survivors so that they can heal and rebuild their lives.”