Amplifying survivors' voices worldwide to break the silence
The Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence
Supporting survivor-led network in over 12 countries become agents of change
We stand with survivors against stigma
Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence face a cascade of life-changing physical, psychological, social and economic consequences. They live with the burden of being shunned and silenced by their communities.
Stigma can have lasting, potentially lethal consequences – from ‘honour killings’ and suicide, to destitution and high-risk survival behaviours. Stigmatisation prevents survivors from seeking help, excludes them from their communities, and often leaves them to care for themselves and their children without any support.
Silence can be the best protection that survivors have against stigma, but it comes at a high cost. It means that the suffering and the devastating consequences of these crimes remain hidden and unaddressed. It is crucial that the silence around sexual violence as a weapon of war is broken.
Our impact for survivors in 2025
+150
survivors are active members of SEMA and/or national survivor networks, strengthening their collective impact.
+200
survivors trained in advocacy and engaged in awareness-raising activities at national and international levels.
+89
survivor-led initiatives received funding to plan, implement, and expand their impact.
How do we strengthen survivor networks locally and globally?
- PEER-TO-PEER. Survivor-led networks provide a safe place where survivors can organise together to create change. By connecting with others who understand their experiences, survivors can find new strength, break the silence, and claim their rights.
- CONNECT. We connect survivors globally through SEMA — the Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence – and through national survivor networks. These connections bring survivors from different generations, continents, and cultures together to learn from each other.
- ADVOCATE. We support survivor-led initiatives because we believe that agency empowers survivors and their communities, allowing them to take decisions, express themselves, and shape their own lives according to their values, aspirations, and priorities.
Sylvia’s story
Sylvia is a survivor of conflict-related sexual violence in Uganda. She is the director of Global Women Vision Uganda, a national survivor network, and a member of SEMA, the Global Survivor Network. Her leadership has inspired many more survivors in her community.
“I was having very dark thoughts during my suffering. But after hearing all these stories from survivors, bringing us together, I found a role to play. The SEMA network made me a strong woman. I have a vision now”
When survivors find each other, healing, justice and accountability become possible. That is why our goal is to support networks led by and for survivors.
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