Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

The Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) theme focuses on the incidence and prevalence of violence against women in conflict and post-conflict settings. Polarisation of gender roles, proliferation of weapons, militarisation, and the breakdown of law influence SGBV.

The risk of SGBV is heightened during conflict by aggravating factors, including the polarization of gender roles, the proliferation of arms, the militarization of society, and the breakdown of law and order. The subsequent long-term and complex impacts of SGBV continue to affect individuals and communities after conflict ends.

SGBV is addressed in all five resolutions on Women, Peace and Security. In SCR 1888, the Security Council expresses its intention to ensure peacekeeping mandate resolutions contain provisions on the prevention of, and response to, sexual violence, with corresponding reporting requirements to the Council (OP11). The resolutions deal with protecting women from violence (1820,OP3, 8-10; 1888,OP3,12); strengthening local and national institutions to assist victims of sexual violence (1820,OP13; 1888,OP13); and including strategies to address sexual violence in post-conflict peacebuilding processes (1820,OP11). SCR 1820 also calls for the participation of women in the development of mechanisms intended to protect women from violence (OP10).

Lastly, SCR 1960 creates institutional tools and teeth to combat impunity and outlines specific steps needed for both the prevention of and protection from conflict-related sexual violence. The new “naming and shaming,” listing mechanism mandated in the Resolution is a step forward in bringing justice for victims and a recognition that sexual violence is a serious violation of human rights and international law.

Addressing SGBV is an integral aspect of the overall Women, Peace and Security agenda. SGBV affects the health and safety of women, and also has significant impact on economic and social stability. The Security Council recognises that sexual violence can threaten international peace and security, and that it is frequently used as a tactic of war to dominate, humiliate, terrorise, and displace.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abyei (S/2015/302).

Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 20 August to 9 November 2015) .

Code: S/2015/902

Period of Time and Topic: This report by the Secretary-General is on the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), covering the time period from 20 August to 9 November 2015.

Women, Peace and Security

Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 20 August to 9 November 2015) .

Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 14 April to 19 August 2015).

Report of the Secretary-General on Somalia: January 2015

Code: S/2015/51

Period of Time and Topic: Covering the period from 1 September to 31 December 2014, the report informs of the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

Women, Peace and Security

Good Girls Don't Protest: Repression and Abuse of Women Human Rights Defenders, Activists and Protesters in Sudan

2272 Paragraph 2

PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Extract: 

2.  Requests the Secretary-General, when a particular troop-contributing country whose personnel are the subject of an allegation or allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse has not taken appropriate steps to investigate the allegation and/or when the particular troop- or police-contributing country has not held the perpetrators accountable or informed the Secretary-General of the progress of its investigations and/or actions taken, to replace all military units and/or formed police units of the troop- or police-contributing country in the United Nations peacekeeping operation where the allegation or allegations arose with uniformed personnel from a different troop- or police-contributing country, as applicable and further requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the replacement troop- or police-contributing country has upheld standards of conduct and discipline and appropriately addressed allegations against or confirmed acts, if any, of sexual exploitation and abuse by its personnel

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE SITUATION IN MALI (S/2015/426).

Code: S/2015/426

Period of Time and Topic: Covering the period from 27 March to 11 June 2015, the report informs of the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated

Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)

Women, Peace and Security

Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Mali (S/2015/426).

Special report of the Secretary-General on the strategic assessment of the United Nations presence in Libya (S/2015/113).

Pages