Message of the Secretary-General on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, 2026

On this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, we focus on the children subjected to this deplorable crime.

As conflicts escalate across the globe, a shocking number of girls and boys fall victim to rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage and trafficking. Many are brutalized during attacks on their homes or while fleeing violence. Others are abducted or recruited as combatants, forced to witness atrocities, or even compelled to commit acts of sexual violence themselves.

Sexual violence against children is a deliberate strategy, used to punish communities and fracture social bonds. It can leave lifelong scars, including physical and psychological trauma, and social exclusion.

Ending this abomination requires action on three fronts. Protection, so children in conflict zones are safe. Accountability, so victims receive justice and perpetrators face consequences. And prevention, by dismantling the drivers of sexual violence, strengthening institutions, and investing in child-centred services. Comprehensive support for survivor is also crucial to rebuild lives and families.

Children must never be targets in war. Protecting them is a legal and moral imperative for every combatant, and every country.

Too often, conflict cuts childhood short. But together we can build a future where every girl and boy grows up in safety and dignity. 

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