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.

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S/2014/558: Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

S:2014:558.pdf

Calling for all those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Democratic Republic of the Congo
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
General Women, Peace and Security
Protection
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Extract: 
Calling for all those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations or abuses of human rights including those involving violence or abuses against children and acts of sexual and gender-based violence, to be swiftly apprehended, brought to justice and held accountable,

Strongly condemning the resurgence of violence

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Central African Republic
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Extract: 
Strongly condemning the resurgence of violence, which was politically or criminally motivated, that occurred in October 2014 in Bangui; the continuous cycle of provocations and reprisals by armed groups, both inside and outside of Bangui; the threats of violence, human rights violations and abuses and international humanitarian law violations, including those involving extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, sexual violence against women and children, rape, recruitment and use of children and attacks against civilians, attacks against places of worship, and denial of humanitarian access, committed by armed elements, which continue to adversely affect the dire humanitarian situation faced by the civilian population and to impede humanitarian access to vulnerable populations,

Security Council Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict, April 2015

On Wednesday (15 April), The Security Council, under the Jordanian presidency, held its annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence. The 67-speaker debate began with a briefing from Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Bangura to the Council on the Secretary-General’s annual report on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2015/203).

Sexual Violence in Conflict: Accountability, Achievements and Challenges

Program: - Three cases of sexual violence in armed conflict - Sexual violence in armed conflict & mechanism of human rights in UN - Women's movement against sexual violence in conflict Organised by: Women's Human Rights Commission of Korea

Sexual Violence in Conflict Flyer

Sexual Violence in Conflict.pdf

Sexual Violence in Conflict: Accountability, Achievements and Challenges

Program: - Three cases of sexual violence in armed conflict - Sexual violence in armed conflict & mechanism of human rights in UN - Women's movement against sexual violence in conflict Organised by: Women's Human Rights Commission of Korea

Sexual Violence in Conflict Flyer

Sexual Violence in Conflict.pdf

Stepping Up Ireland's Response to Women, Peace and Security: UNSCR 1325

Ireland_CSO_development recommentations_pdf.pdf

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