Civil society organizations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia, gathered under the Amplifying Voices platform, are joining together to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. On this day, we stand united in our commitment to ending conflict-related sexualized violence and advocating for justice, dignity, and long-overdue recognition for survivors.
The legacy of sexualized violence during the conflicts of the 1990s in our region remains profound and painful. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) recognized sexualized violence as a weapon of war — a deliberate and devastating tool used to inflict lasting harm on individuals and communities. Women, girls, men, and boys were subjected to unspeakable abuse, and the scars remain with them to this day.
While estimates suggest that tens of thousands of women endured sexual violence during this period, the actual number is likely far higher. Many victims were silenced—some through death, others through decades of stigma, shame, and fear. Today, many survivors continue to grapple with trauma, compounded by the absence of justice and societal support.
As organizations that have been working for over 30 years on issues of conflict-related sexualized violence, gender-based violence, transitional justice, and survivors’ rights, we honor the strength, resilience, and courage of those who have lived through this violence. Their stories must be heard, believed, and acted upon.
We call on governments, institutions, and international partners to take concrete actions:
- Ensure comprehensive support and reparations for survivors;
- Combat stigma and discrimination through education and public awareness;
- Strengthen accountability mechanisms to address impunity;
- Prioritize the voices of survivors in shaping policies and programs.
The time for symbolic gestures has passed. What survivors need—and deserve—are lasting changes that uphold their dignity and rights.
Organizations:
- Vive Žene, Tuzla, BiH
- Medica Zenica, Zenica, BiH
- Medica Gjakova, Gjakova, Kosovo
- Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims, Priština, Kosovo
- Autonomous Women’s Center, Belgrade, Serbia
- Women in Black, Belgrade, Serbia
- Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Belgrade, Serbia
The Amplifying Voices Programme is supported by medica mondiale and Engagement Global (EG), with funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
This joint statement is also available in PDF document here.
