The United Nations has reported a significant increase in verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence in 2025, with incidents described as increasingly brutal and disproportionately affecting women and girls in conflict zones worldwide.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric disclosed this during a press briefing in New York, following the release of the Secretary-General’s annual report on the issue.
The report indicates that 77 parties, including both state and non-state actors, are currently listed for involvement in conflict-related sexual violence, with some groups appearing in previous years’ records.
It further revealed that sexual violence continued to be used in 2025 as a weapon of war, torture, terrorism and political repression, amid worsening political instability, security breakdowns and humanitarian crises in several regions.
According to the findings, armed groups operating in remote areas of countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and northern Mozambique carried out abductions and systematic sexual violence, with victims including girls as young as 11 subjected to sexual slavery and prolonged abuse, often resulting in pregnancies.
The report also documented cases of sexual violence in detention settings across multiple conflict environments, including Israel and the State of Palestine, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
In Myanmar, sexual violence in detention continued to be used as a tool of intimidation and punishment against perceived opponents, reflecting broader patterns of political repression.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also provided an update on the UN80 Initiative, a wide-ranging reform programme aimed at improving the organisation’s efficiency, responsiveness and impact.
He noted that the initiative includes plans to reduce Secretariat staffing levels by 21 per cent in 2026, while seeking to minimise disruptions to personnel.
The reform programme also proposes merging 11 Secretariat teams into a shared administrative system serving about 6,000 staff in New York, with additional locations expected to adopt similar structures.
Addressing the General Assembly, Guterres said the reforms were necessary, warning that failure to act amid growing global tensions would deepen human suffering.
Launched in March 2025, the UN80 Initiative is designed to ensure that mandates, funding and decision-making processes deliver stronger outcomes for people and the planet amid increasing global demands and limited resources.
Guterres described the reform effort as a major shift in how the UN system operates, coordinates and delivers results, noting that it has now entered a decisive phase of implementation.
A recent progress update highlighted steps already taken to improve efficiency, streamline mandate implementation and review internal structures, including possible consolidation of some UN bodies.
Efforts are also underway to reduce duplication, enhance coordination and modernise operations across the UN system.
The initiative further aims to simplify administrative procedures and strengthen service delivery to member states, with a focus on faster and more cost-effective support.
Another key focus is the review of mandates assigned by member states to ensure they remain relevant, coherent and aligned with available resources and expected outcomes.
The report also noted ongoing collaboration with governments to improve transparency, reduce reporting burdens and strengthen results-based implementation.
Proposals under consideration include improved alignment between departments, stronger cross-agency collaboration and enhanced integration across peace, development and human rights functions.
The reforms also emphasise reducing institutional silos and expanding the use of shared data systems and coordination tools.
However, final decisions on structural changes rest with member states, who retain authority over implementation priorities.
Guterres described the initiative as an evolving process, stressing that continued cooperation is essential to building a more effective and unified United Nations system capable of addressing global challenges.