International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2026: joint statement to the OSCE

On 19 June, a joint statement to the OSCE marked the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2026, with speakers delivering remarks on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Norway. The statement urged attention to survivors and to global efforts preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence. It cited UN reporting showing a sharp rise in verified cases, including increasing brutality that disproportionately affects women and girls, while still impacting men and boys. The document emphasizes that such violence is used deliberately as a tactic of war, terror and repression, and highlights compounding drivers such as shrinking humanitarian access, reduced funding for survivor services, and persistent stigma that blocks reporting and justice. It also referenced monitoring in Ukraine linking abuses to Russia’s aggression, including detention settings, and called for survivor-centered responses, accountability, and stronger national and international mechanisms.