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Excellencies, 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. We thank the Permanent Mission of Argentina and the Offices of the SRSGs for Sexual Violence in Conflict and Children and Armed Conflict for organising today’s event. 

Sexual violence in conflict remains a horrific tactic of war across many regions of the globe, with devastating consequences, not just on individuals, but on entire generations. Survivors, their families, children born of wartime rape, and communities are left grappling with trauma, stigma and marginalization. Healing requires recognition and support to the victims as well as the sustained engagement of communities and institutions that confront these enduring scars. 

The EU stands in solidarity with all survivors of conflict related violence and their families, particularly children born of rape. We are committed to addressing their needs through protection, psychosocial support and socioeconomic reintegration to break cycles of trauma and inequality. Ending sexual violence in conflict is a core priority for EU external action, and we back this commitment with concrete actions. 

For instance, through our EU Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, we integrate a gender perspective into peacekeeping and humanitarian responses. In addition, we have invested over EUR 8.2 million in the last two years for projects supporting justice, psychosocial care and sexual and reproductive health-care services for CRSV survivors in countries such as Haiti and the Central African Republic. In 2024, the EU also updated its Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflicts to better prevent and respond to violations of the rights of the child, including sexual violence – which is one of the six grave violations encompassed by the CAAC agenda. 

Beyond crisis zones, the European Union tackles gender-based violence globally, on the ground through, among others, the Spotlight Initiative and the ACT programme, but also here in New York, as chair of the Group of Friends for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.

However, we need to do more, collectively. Ending this scourge means ending impunity. We stand ready to work with the international community to strengthen legal procedures at national, regional and international levels, in order to ensure accountability and guarantee access to justice, reparations and redress for survivors.

Allow me to conclude by emphasising that conflict-related sexual violence is the result of deeply entrenched inequalities and harmful norms. We are determined to address these root causes, starting by ensuring the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in decision-making at all levels.

Thank you