2025 UN Security Council briefing on sexual violence in conflict

The UN envoy on sexual violence in conflict, Pamila Patten, briefed the UN Security Council on the Secretary-General’s latest annual report on conflict-related sexual violence. She stated that in 2024, more than 4,600 cases were documented. This marked a staggering 25-per-cent increase from 2023, which itself saw a 50-per-cent rise from the previous year. Women and girls accounted for 92 per cent of verified cases. She warned that even as needs climb, funding for women’s front-line organizations is collapsing.

Other speakers included Ikhlass Ahmed of the Darfur Advocacy Group. She described widespread sexual violence and at least 174 attacks on health providers and facilities, including clinics serving survivors of sexual violence.