Policy paper

Call to action to ensure the rights and wellbeing of children born of sexual violence in conflict

Updated 14 July 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ensuring-the-rights-and-wellbeing-of-children-born-of-sexual-violence-in-conflict-call-to-action/call-to-action-to-ensure-the-rights-and-wellbeing-of-children-born-of-sexual-violence-in-conflict

Sexual violence remains a brutal reality for women, girls, men and boys living in conflict zones around the world. For survivors, the mental, physical, emotional, social and economic consequences of sexual violence can be devastating. We are clear that substantial numbers of children continue to be born from this sexual violence, deeply affecting both the children and the women who give birth to them.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with survivors of sexual violence in conflict, including those who become pregnant as a result, and recognise that significant action is still needed to ensure their rights and well-being. We further declare that children born of sexual violence are also falling through the cracks, deeply affected by the circumstances of their birth and facing distinct obstacles to thrive and pursue their dreams throughout their lives. We stress that they are rights holders in their own capacity and thus are to be treated without discrimination on the basis of age, gender, identity, family origin, sexuality, disability or ethnicity.

Recognising the need for concerted efforts at the global, regional, national and local level to support the realisation of the rights of children born of sexual violence in conflict, we commit to developing a Platform of Action that will promote the rights and well-being of these children without discrimination or stigma.

We therefore share a commitment and a determination to work together to:

  • speak out on the challenges faced by children born of sexual violence in conflict and their role in building peaceful, prosperous societies in national, regional and global discussions
  • provide space for children born of sexual violence and the survivors who bore them to share their knowledge safely and meaningfully in discussions and debates affecting them
  • strengthen legal and policy frameworks to eliminate barriers and pro-actively support the rights and well-being of children born of sexual violence in conflict
  • encourage child-sensitive approaches to sustainable development that recognise children born of sexual violence amongst the most vulnerable and at risk of being left behind

Survivors and their children are at the heart of our continued commitment to ending the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence in war. By working together and with children born of sexual violence in conflict, mobilising resources and committing our global political will, we are determined to ensure children born of sexual violence in conflict do not pay a price for the circumstances of their birth. Now is the time to act.

This call to action is proudly endorsed by:

  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Norway
  • Republic of South Sudan
  • Mexico
  • Guatemala
  • Republic of Kosovo
  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Canada
  • Republic of Croatia
  • Federal Republic of Nigeria
  • New Zealand
  • UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
  • UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
  • UN Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children
  • Global Survivors Fund
  • The Children Born of War Project
  • International Rescue Committee
  • Cultura i Conflicte
  • Stepping Stones
  • Green Kordofan
  • Women for Change, South Sudan
  • Naripokkho
  • Release Me
  • Refugee Law Project
  • Gender Empowerment for South Sudan Organisation
  • Tigray Advocacy & Development Association - UK (TADA-UK)
  • Opportunities for South Sudanese Initiative (OSSI)
  • Kids Club Kampala
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