As conflicts surge in frequency and brutality around the world, one devastating consequence remains consistent yet frequently overlooked: the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict on 19 June 2025, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a stark warning about the rising tide of conflict-related sexual violence and the urgent need for sustained action. This call resonates deeply across Africa, a continent where protracted crises and fragile institutions continue to leave women and girls dangerously exposed.

According to UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem, sexual violence in conflict is not simply a by-product of war. It is a deliberate tactic of terror that disproportionately targets women and girls, leaving physical scars and psychological trauma that ripple across families and entire communities. “Sexual violence is not the unavoidable collateral damage of conflict; it is an egregious violation of women’s rights and bodily autonomy,” Dr Kanem stated in her official message on 18 June. She stressed that survivors need support, protection and justice, and that ending impunity cannot be postponed.

This year’s commemoration comes at a time when essential services for survivors are being dismantled. Global funding cuts have drastically affected programmes designed to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Organisations providing medical treatment, psychosocial support, legal assistance and safe spaces have been forced to reduce or suspend services altogether. For millions of women and girls in conflict-affected regions, particularly in Africa, this has meant the closure of the few lifelines they could rely on.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, the Central African Republic and northern Nigeria are among African countries where sexual violence in conflict has been widely documented. In many of these cases, survivors are unable to report crimes due to fear of reprisals, stigma or the simple absence of functioning legal and health systems. Inadequate infrastructure and cultural taboos around sexual violence compound the silence, allowing perpetrators to operate without fear of justice.

Moreover, the consequences of sexual violence do not end with the individual. Children born of rape, women ostracised by their communities and the breakdown of familial and social structures all contribute to long-term instability.

“The trauma harms entire families and communities, and the impact can last for generations,”

reads the official UN statement for 19 June.

The African context also reveals a disturbing contradiction. While African women and grassroots organisations are often the first responders and fiercest advocates for justice, they receive a disproportionately small share of international funding. Survivors are increasingly speaking out and demanding change, but without meaningful financial and political support, their bravery risks being met with institutional indifference.

As Dr Kanem argues, a critical step forward is ensuring that survivors lead the way in shaping recovery and peacebuilding efforts. This means placing their needs, voices and rights at the centre of policy and practice. It also means ensuring they are not retraumatised by justice systems that are slow, inaccessible or dismissive.

At the heart of this crisis is the question of political will. Sexual violence in conflict is preventable. Preventing it, however, requires more than declarations. It demands action, investment and a commitment to justice that prioritises survivors rather than perpetrators. It requires governments, including those across Africa, to strengthen legal systems, protect rights and expand survivor-centred services.

On this International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, UNFPA is calling for the global community to keep the #LightsOn for women and girls. In practical terms, this means fully funding essential services: sexual and reproductive health, mental health support, legal aid and safe, confidential spaces. It means listening to survivors and acting on their recommendations. Most of all, it means recognising that the path to lasting peace must begin with justice and safety for the most vulnerable.

Sexual violence in conflict is a war crime. It is not inevitable. It is not cultural. And it must not be ignored.

Read Also: The Voice of Africa is Now Inside the United Nations