Nordic Statement at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

Read the Nordic Statement, delivered by H.E. Ms. Elina Kalkku, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence on 8 July 2026.

President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Nordic countries—Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Finland. We thank the Democratic Republic of Congo for convening this debate. We commend the Special Representative of the Secretary‑General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Pramila Patten, for your leadership and your impressive and sustained efforts to prevent and address conflict‑related sexual violence.

We should all be extremely alarmed that the UN‑verified cases of conflict‑related sexual violence continue to rise sharply, often marked by extreme brutality. Persistent underreporting means that these numbers  are likely to represent only the tip of the iceberg.

Madame President,

Sexual violence in conflict endangers lives, inflicts profound trauma on individuals and shatters communities, with consequences that can endure for generations. It  constitutes a grave violation of international human rights and humanitarian law. Using sexual violence in warfare is a war crime and may also constitute a crime against humanity or an act of genocide. Rape must never be considered as some kind of inevitable consequence of war.

The Nordic countries are deeply concerned by the growing number of national armed and security forces listed in the Secretary‑General’s report. We call on all parties to conflicts to cease all forms of sexual violence and fully comply with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions. This is a question of leadership. The entire chain of command in any conflict must know and respect the rules, and make sure others do as well.  

Prevention  remain our primary objective. This requires addressing root causes: gender inequality, discrimination, and the exclusion of women from political and peace processes. For survivors we emphasize access to justice and comprehensive support, including sexual and reproductive health care.

Accountability is necessary for justice, which must underpin prevention, and find ways  to reconciliation.  It requires credible investigations, national prosecution and cooperation with international courts, especially the ICC. We welcome initiatives such as the global network of prosecutors and practitioners, which help close accountability gaps and demonstrate the international community’s resolve to address CRSV.

Nordic countries also support the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, the global political initiative to strengthen system-wide accountability, transform the way gender-based violence is addressed, and empower national and local women-led organizations and other CSOs, often the first and last responders. 

President,

The Nordic countries reaffirm strong support for the Women, Peace and Security agenda and for UN mechanisms implementing Security Council resolution 1888, including the work of SRSG Patten and the Team of Experts. Gender advisers and women’s protection advisers in UN operations play an indispensable role; without them, Security Council commitments risk remaining words on paper.

This Council should send an unequivocal message: sexual violence is a serious crime, not a tactic, and those responsible will always be held fully accountable.

Thank you.