Sexual violence in conflict and emergency zones is a serious, present-day atrocity affecting millions of people, primarily women and girls. It has long been used as a tactic of war and employed on a large scale by armed groups to humiliate opponents, terrify individuals and destroy societies.

Between 250,000 and 500,000 women were raped during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Sexual violence was a characterizing feature of the 14-year long civil war in Liberia.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo approximately 1,100 rapes are being reported each month, with an average of 36 women and girls raped every day. It is believed that over 200,000 women have suffered from in the Democratic Republic of Congo since armed conflict began in the country.

This reminds us as Global Citizens why we must continue to fight to #LeveltheLaw, and compel world leaders to bring justice to the Yazidi community who faced genocide at the hands of the terror group ISIS.

On August 3, 2014, ISIS waged an attack on the Yazidi people in Sinjar, killing more than 3,000 civilians and enslaving 5,000-7,000 more — mostly women and children. More than 85% of the Yazidi population was driven out of their homes and Yazidi women were forced into sexual slavery.

We know that our actions make a difference. Thousands of Global Citizens have used their voice to demand justice and support brave Yazidis, like Nadia Murad, who continues to fight against the unspeakable acts of horror by ISIS. In response, Sweden and Belgium announced that they are in favor of referring the case of Yazidi genocide to the International Criminal Court.

Momentum is building. Together we can fight for justice for Nadia and her community.