New Delhi, May 30: A recent United Nations (UN) report reveals a staggering increase in cases of sexual violence during conflicts worldwide, with incidents in 2025 more than doubling compared to the previous year.
According to the annual report from the UN Secretary-General, the number of verified cases of sexual violence linked to conflict surged dramatically in 2025. The report indicates that these incidents displayed extreme brutality, predominantly targeting women and girls.
As reported by Xinhua News Agency, a total of 9,788 cases of conflict-related sexual violence were recorded in 2025, a significant rise from the 4,617 cases documented in 2024. This report was submitted to the Security Council on Thursday and made public on Friday.
The report also emphasizes that the figures do not represent the complete picture of sexual violence in conflict zones. Many violations went unreported or were inadequately documented due to ongoing insecurity and obstacles to humanitarian assistance.
Additionally, budget cuts and reductions in missions have adversely affected reporting and documentation efforts. Such cuts often first impact capacities related to gender and women’s safety.
In this 17th annual report, a total of 77 parties, both governmental and non-governmental, were listed in connection with cases of conflict-related sexual violence. The report covers incidents from 21 countries affected by conflict, for which verified information was available from the UN.
Included in this list are armed security forces from Israel and Russia, along with three new non-governmental entities active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The report highlights a significant increase in recorded cases of sexual violence used as a tactic in warfare, torture, terrorism, and political repression in 2025. During this period, various political, security, and humanitarian crises intensified simultaneously. Both governmental and non-governmental entities targeted civilians with acts of rape, gang rape, abduction, and sexual slavery.
Sexual violence and exploitation related to abduction and human trafficking continued to be viewed as a strategy of terrorism. Displaced, refugee, and migrant women and girls remained at heightened risk of sexual violence. The report notes incidents of sexual violence occurring during detention in various regions, including Israel and Palestine, as well as Russia and Ukraine.
In 2025, perpetrators of sexual violence during wartime continued to evade justice. Overall, parties involved in conflicts showed minimal compliance with international regulations.
According to the report, over 65% of the parties involved have been committing these crimes for an extended period. Many of these organizations have remained on the list for five years or more without taking substantial steps to rectify their actions.
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SD/AS
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