Reporting on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Few journalistic challenges carry a greater weight of responsibility than interviewing survivors of sexual violence that occur in conflict. When rape is used in war, it has a devastating impact on individuals and their communities. Responsible journalism can bring attention and insight to crimes that people have difficulty finding adequate words for. Careless reporting, however,…
Ukraine: Armed conflict and displacement heightens risks of all forms of sexual violence including trafficking in persons, say UN experts
The UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Ms. Siobhán Mullally, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Ms. Reem Alsalem, and the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, today expressed serious concerns at the…
International Women’s Day 2022: Why is women’s economic empowerment an effective tool against sexual violence?
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the International Trade Centre’s Executive Director, Pamela Coke Hamilton and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten share on the importance of women’s economic empowerment.
UN Special Representative Pramila Patten expresses concern about the impact of escalating violence in Ukraine, especially on women and girls
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, is gravely concerned about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ukraine and urgently calls for the protection of civilians, especially women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by armed conflict and displacement.
Special Report of the Secretary-General on: Women and Girls who become Pregnant as a result of Sexual Violence in Conflict and Children born of Sexual Violence in Conflict
This is a Special Report of the Secretary General published on 7 February 2022. This report focuses on the specific needs of women and girls who become pregnant as a result of conflict-related sexual violence, and of the children born of such violence, as well as the connected, distinct, sometimes life-threatening risks and harms they…
UN Special Representative Pramila Patten Welcomes Landmark Sexual Violence Verdict in Guatemala (ENG)
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten welcomed Monday’s decision by a high-risk court in Guatemala against five former members of the paramilitary Civil Self-Defense Patrols for the sexual violence committed against indigenous Maya Achi women in the early 1980s during the internal armed conflict.
UN Special Representative Pramila Patten Welcomes Historic Verdict in Germany on Sexual Violence in Syria
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, welcomed the verdict by the Higher Regional Court in Koblenz, Germany, against former Syrian colonel Anwar R. for crimes against humanity including acts of sexual violence.
OHCHR Berkeley Protocol on Digital Open Source Investigations
Open source investigations are investigations that rely, in whole or in part, on publicly availableinformation to conduct formal and systematic online inquiries into alleged wrongdoing. Today, large quantities of publicly available information are accessible through the Internet, where a quickly evolving digital landscape has led to new types and sources of information that could assist…
UN Special Representative Pramila Patten expresses grave concern over alleged acts of sexual violence against women and girls during the 19 December 2021 demonstrations in Sudan and calls for restraint and accountability for those responsible
(23 December 2021) United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, is gravely concerned about the situation in Sudan following reports of sexual violence and sexual harassment perpetrated against women and girls by the security forces during demonstrations in Khartoum on Sunday 19 December 2021, to mark the…
UN Special Representative and Chair of UN Action Network, Ms. Pramila Patten, urges the Government of Ethiopia to promptly sign onto an agreement with the UN to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence
(7 December 2021) United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Chair of the UN Action Network, Pramila Patten, called to all parties to the conflict, to immediately cease every form of sexual violence and end hostilities to pave the way for an inclusive and gender-responsive ceasefire and…