On 24 June, during the Annual Full-Day Discussion on Women’s Rights at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, the She Leads UN Youth Cohort delivered a powerful statement calling for urgent action to end gender-based violence in conflict, post-conflict, and humanitarian settings. Representing the voices of girls and young women worldwide — including those who remain unheard — the statement condemned the horrific violence women and girls face in war zones:
- Rape and torture used as weapons of war.
- Families torn apart in search of safety.
- Girls paying the highest price in every crisis.
According to UN Women (2024), 35% of women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence and the risk is even higher in conflict settings. The She Leads statement urges Member States to:
- Fund survivor services and protection programs.
- Hold perpetrators accountable — no impunity.
- Amplify women’s voices in peacebuilding and recovery.
The call is clear: We must act. Because resilience is not enough. Because silence is complicity.
Read the Full Statement (in English)
Watch the Statement: