WRC Statement on Today’s UN Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV)
NEW YORK – Today, the UN Security Council held its annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence, focused on the theme, “Honoring the promise of international law to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.”
As part of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, Women’s Refugee Commission supported Haitian civil society leader Carine Jocelyn to deliver a statement directly to members of the UN Security Council.
Women and girls enduring extreme violence in Haiti
Ms. Jocelyn brought attention to the extreme violence endured by women and girls in Haiti due to collapsing law and order and escalating gang violence:
“Women and girls are systematically raped, trafficked, and sexually exploited by gangs. They are being targeted in their homes, at displacement sites, and as they go about their daily lives. … Many survivors are left without services or accountability due to an ineffective justice system, entrenched corruption, and an under-resourced police force.”
Ms. Jocelyn’s statement highlighted the widespread displacement caused by the violence in Haiti, the critical role of women-led organizations in providing vital services to women and girls, and the harms created by countries forcibly returning Haitian refugees and asylum-seekers, in violation of their rights.
Ms. Jocelyn called on Member States to maintain temporary protection or refugee status for Haitians while the crisis persists. Read WRC’s recent statement on the US Supreme Court’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in the US.
Surging sexual violence in conflicts around the world
Reported cases of conflict-related sexual violence—including rape, sexual slavery, and abduction—have more than doubled between 2024 and 2025, according to the UN Secretary General’s latest annual report on the issue. This takes place at a time when the number of global conflicts has reached record levels and perpetrators of sexual violence continue to act with impunity. Displaced, refugee, and migrant women and girls face higher risks of sexual violence when fleeing conflict, as well as greater barriers to accessing healthcare, counseling, protection, and legal services.
During the open debate this morning, the UN’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, told members of the UN Security Council, “it is estimated that one in five displaced or refugee women caught up in conflict suffer sexual violence—yet less than one percent of humanitarian aid is dedicated to addressing it.” WRC’s research in Sudan (see our reports here and here) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has documented stories of women and girls who have experienced rape and other forms of sexual violence during conflict or displacement and the challenges they have faced accessing services.
Humanitarian funding cuts are endangering women and girls
Drastic humanitarian funding cuts over the past two years have created real harms for women and girls at risk of sexual violence in conflict. WRC’s research has found that US humanitarian funding cuts in 2025 have left more than three million women and girls without access to GBV prevention and response services, including in conflict settings like Afghanistan, DRC, Haiti, Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen. WRC has also found instances where cuts to GBV prevention services in contexts of violence or displacement have fueled cultures of impunity and resulted in increased trafficking of women by criminal groups. An upcoming report by WRC, in partnership with Refugees International, documents how aid cuts have disproportionately impacted women-led organizations, which are often the only service providers accessible to women and girls in conflict–forcing the shutdown of community-based protection services in conflict settings like Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan, and Ukraine.
“Conflict-related sexual violence is not a natural byproduct of war or an unavoidable humanitarian emergency. It is a choice, being made by perpetrators every day–with women and girls forced to live with the consequences,” said Sadia Kidwai, WRC’s Senior Policy Advocate. “For too long, too many Member States have stood by while cases of conflict-related sexual violence have risen. A small but powerful minority of Member States have even emboldened perpetrators by supplying them with arms or defunding the few services available to protect women and girls in conflict. The UN Security Council must take firm and united action to end arms transfers to actors who violate international humanitarian law, implement and uphold sanctions on actors who engage in conflict-related sexual violence, ensure perpetrators face justice and accountability at national and international levels, and scale up funding for protection and response services—particularly for displaced and refugee women and girls.”
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