UN envoy urges authorities to strengthen social protection mechanisms for survivors of sexual violence

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To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, 30 survivors of sexual violence completed business skills training to improve their lives under a UN-supported initiative.

The survivors underwent three months of training in tailoring and clothes dyeing and received starter kits with clothing and dyes to create income-generating businesses.

In a statement marking the Day, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, James Swan, urged authorities to strengthen legal and social protection mechanisms for survivors of sexual violence. “It is through economic empowerment that survivors will be able to sustain themselves and their families, and eradicate the stigma associated with enduring such violence,” noted Mr. Swan.