-UN Report Reveals
United Nations, New York – A new report from the United Nations Secretary-General has revealed that verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence have more than doubled since the last reporting period, prompting an urgent joint statement from Security Council signatories of the Shared Commitments on Women, Peace and Security.
The findings, presented during today’s Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, underscore a deepening crisis that demands immediate international attention and resources, according to the signatory nations.
Colombia, Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, Liberia, the United Kingdom and Panama—whose representative delivered the joint statement—were joined by the Democratic Republic of the Congo in its capacity as host of this year’s debate. The collective called for reinforced global commitment to ending the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war and terror.
The signatories commended the work of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, led by Ms. Pramila Patten, reaffirming their full support for her mandate amid what they described as an “unacceptable trajectory” of rising violence.
However, the joint statement carried a note of grave concern: despite the surge in documented cases, the Office is operating under severe financial constraints across the United Nations system. The signatories stressed that the Office must be provided with the resources required to deliver timely and reliable information to the Council—warning that without adequate funding, the international community risks operating in the dark.
The Secretary-General’s 2026 report paints a damning picture of systemic failures to protect civilians in conflict zones, with women and girls disproportionately affected. The more than 100% increase in verified incidents signals not only escalating violence but potentially greater underreporting in previous periods, suggesting the true scale of the crisis may be even more severe.
Diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity described the figures as “sobering” and indicative of a broader erosion of international humanitarian protections.
As the open debate continues, signatory nations are expected to press for reinforced accountability mechanisms, increased support for survivors, and targeted sanctions against perpetrators. The joint statement concludes with a call for all member states to renew their political will and financial commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda—warning that without tangible action, the cycle of impunity will only accelerate.
The Security Council is expected to deliberate further on the report’s findings throughout the coming days, with civil society organizations urging concrete outcomes rather than rhetorical commitments.
