HAMILTON, Canada

The UN on Tuesday highlighted the alarming surge in conflict-related sexual violence globally, shedding light on the devastating effect on women and children caught in the crossfire of armed conflicts.

"It records 3,688 UN-verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence committed in the course of 2023, reflecting a dramatic increase of 50% as compared with the previous year," Pramila Patten, special representative on sexual violence in conflict, told a UN Security Council meeting on women, peace and security.

Patten emphasized the dire situation where resources meant to help victims are dwindling while military spending skyrockets, adding that the Council gathered "at a time when military spending has soared to over US $2.2 trillion, while humanitarian aid budgets have been slashed."

Underscoring the disproportionate effect on women and girls, Patten said, "In 2023, women and girls accounted for 95% of the verified cases, with 5% recorded against men and boys."

She drew attention to the Middle East, where ongoing bloodshed and terror have left survivors of gender-based violence with nowhere to turn.

"Regarding the occupied West Bank, according to UN-verified information, the arrests and detention of Palestinian women and men by Israeli security forces, following the 7th of October attacks, have often been accompanied by ill-treatment, including forms of sexual violence. Similar allegations have emerged from Gaza," she noted.

Patten echoed UN chief Antonio Guterres' demand for a cease-fire, "to end the unspeakable suffering of Palestinian civilians and to bring about the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages."

She said, “We cannot condemn the perpetrators of sexual violence in our speeches, while continuing to fund and arm them for our supply chains."

Danai Gurira, UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, echoed Patten's sentiments, highlighting the widespread nature of the crimes across 25 conflict situations globally.

"Nothing is more dangerous than crimes that are not acknowledged, crimes that are unseen and allowed to persist," Gurira emphasized.

She emphasized the urgent need for action, pointing to the impunity that perpetrators often enjoy in conflict zones.

"It is still largely cost-free to rape in the chaos of conflict," she lamented, calling for stronger measures to end cultures of impunity.