UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict

United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict is an international body within the United Nations system. Its stated purpose is to unite the work of 13 UN entities with the goal of ending sexual violence in conflict. It is a concerted effort by the United Nations to improve coordination and accountability, amplify programming and advocacy, and support national efforts to prevent sexual violence and respond effectively to the needs of survivors.

The United Nations established United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict in response to calls from women’s rights organizations, NGOs and rape survivors for the United Nations to do much more to address sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence within a humanitarian and human rights legal framework. It reinforces efforts by United Nations entities to better coordinate and streamline their activities, working as “one United Nations” at country and global levels.

United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict is committed to aligning the United Nation’s work more effectively behind national efforts to address sexual violence, and to deepen partnerships with the many NGOs and civil society organizations that have been actively working to end sexual violence in conflict for many years. It operates through existing United Nations coordination mechanisms including the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). It strengthens the work of the humanitarian Protection Cluster, and supports efforts to put an end to sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel. United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict aims to strengthen efforts to protect women and girls from sexual violence during and after conflict – recognizing that the problem is much more than a security or humanitarian issue. United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict supports women’s engagement in conflict prevention and enhances women’s influence over peace negotiations and post conflict recovery processes. This helps ensure that sexual violence is on the agenda of the police, security forces, justice, and government sectors after conflict. United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict seeks to strengthen services provided to survivors, including medical care, legal support and economic security required to rebuild their lives. United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict also connects with governance and reform processes that improve women’s access to decision-making and strengthen their voices in public affairs, with the long term view of tackling gender-specific power imbalances.

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