Together we can end conflict related sexual violence
UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) is the UN’s only system-wide, knowledge-building, advocacy, and joint operational response to conflict-related sexual violence, delivering through an agile, survivor-centred model through out 27 UN member entities.
What does
UN Action do?
The following are our main areas of work to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), with survivors at the center. Click on each icon to learn more.
1. Advocacy for action
We lead the call to translate Security Council resolutions to locally led, survivor-centred solutions by bridging high-level policies and protection commitments with on-the-ground realities. We highlight why NGOs, international organizations, civil society organizations and governments, must work together to meet the needs of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence with dignity and humanity.
2. Knowledge building
We serve as the global centre of excellence on conflict-related sexual violence, systematically capturing and generating knowledge, practice-based evidence and innovative approaches from survivors, service providers, and UN colleagues worldwide, and translating them into actionable guidance. This ensures that all relevant stakeholders – from policymakers to activists – have access to the best available evidence, adaptive tools and strategies.
3. In-country operational impact
We support joint, catalytic projects that make a real, measurable difference in survivors’ lives. Our in-country activities extend beyond programmes or policies: they also ensure survivors receive the support they need, perpetrators are held accountable, and communities are safe.
Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
In South Sudan, many children were being kept out of school because their parents couldn’t afford the fees. Community Action Groups, supported by UN Action, stepped in to change that. “We discovered that several children had to meet school fee requirements that their parents simply couldn’t afford… we decided to expand our support.”
This initiative didn’t just keep girls in school: it reduced stigma around conflict-related sexual violence and gave survivors a lifeline. One of them shared: “It’s critical to give victims of sexual abuse sufficient support. There should be no excuse for failing to do so. (…) Despite my suffering, I am ready to get back out and support myself.”
For many women, empowerment became reality: “I no longer wait for someone to help me. Now I wake up knowing I can feed my children and pay for school.”
Through UN Action’s project, hope is no longer a distant dream. It’s a daily reality for families determined to rebuild their lives.
Voices That Must Be Heard
In Somalia, rehabilitation programs supported by UN Action gave women a chance to heal and reclaim their voice.
“I am happy to be enrolled in this rehabilitation programme. I have a chance to share the secrets and the shame I have been hiding my whole life. This feels good. Here I am not judged. I finally feel as if a burden has been lifted from my shoulders.”
Survivors are calling for more opportunities:
“I urge the implementing partners to continue providing rehabilitation services and education opportunities to women like me to help them leave the cycle of negative perceptions and gain valuable knowledge and life skills to have a better life.”
With UN Action’s support, these women are breaking free from stigma and building a future with dignity.
Turning the Page
For one survivor in Lebanon, the nightmare of detention and exploitation seemed endless, but UN Action provided a safe space and a healing journey.
“I did not expect that one day I would reach where I am now! I thought that no one could help me or even get me out of the nightmare I was in. But after the healing trip with the case manager in the safe space, I was able to turn the page and start over. Today I am empowered, strong, working, taking care of myself, my family and those around me.”
Through psychosocial support and empowerment programs, UN Action helped survivors rebuild their lives and their confidence.
Voices That Must Be Heard
In Ukraine, survivors of captivity and torture are speaking out, urging the world not to turn away. Through UN Action’s support, networks like ALUMNI are creating safe spaces for male survivors to share their experiences and access critical assistance.
One representative’s plea is clear:
“Please don’t stop. Assistance that is being provided needs to continue. There are many more survivors and victims who are yet to come forward.”
UN Action is committed to ensuring that these voices are heard and that every survivor receives the care and dignity they deserve.
Resilience in Action
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, survivors of sexual violence are reclaiming their dignity and their future. Thanks to UN Action’s projects including human rights training, communities are turning resilience into leadership:
“We have regained our human dignity, as taught during the human rights training, now nothing can break us. We will take over after the project to perpetuate its achievements.”
This is more than recovery, it’s a sustainable transformation. Survivors are becoming advocates, ensuring that the progress achieved today will last for generations.
Making an Impact Since 2007
Above figures were last updated ** date **.
“I never heard there are such programs and organizations supporting women’s livelihood… I received not only the livelihood skills, but also the cash assistance. Now it’s been three nights that I have not been able to sleep because I am so thrilled.”
“Before we got this awareness, we didn’t understand the safety risks and the violence happening to girls and we could not help them. Now, our minds are opened… women are getting involved in the discussions and decision-making in the house, as well as society.”
- Program participant
“As the first responders to cases of gender-based violence, we have to show victims kindness and empathy. While I was already familiar with many of the guidelines discussed, learning how they applied specifically to cases of gender-based violence has clarified for me how they can be used in the field.”
- Program participant
UN Action Projects
Click on a country to learn more about the UN Action projects on the ground.
Funded by UN Member States from Around the World
UN Action’s work is supported primarily by Member States through a pooled, multi-partner trust fund (learn more about it here) – our partners recognise our value as the UN’s only coordinating network uniquely configured for fostering synergy on CRSV. Our collective work is not just about doing different things, but also of doing things differently through horizontal integration and complementarity in place of competition.
Grateful to our donors for supporting the UN Action Network since day one.
