On 19 June 2015, the United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/69/293) proclaimed 19 June of each year the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, in order to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence, to honour the victims and survivors of sexual violence around the world and to pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted their lives to and lost their lives in standing up for the eradication of these crimes.

The date was chosen to commemorate the adoption on 19 June 2008 of Security Council resolution 1820 (2008), in which the Council condemned sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peacebuilding.

2017 Theme: “Preventing Sexual Violence Crimes through Justice and Deterrence”

A panel discussion to commemorate the second annual International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict will be held at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, 20 June 2017, 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. (New York time) in the ECOSOC Chamber.

Follow the conversation on social media #EndRapeinWar.

Access more information on this important day, including special reports, infographics and stories from around the world, at: http://www.un.org/en/events/elimination-of-sexual-violence-in-conflict/