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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19. Decides that the mandate of UNOCI shall be the following: - To support th...

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Cote d’Ivoire
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Extract: 

19. Decides that the mandate of UNOCI shall be the following: - To support the efforts of the Government in combating SEXUAL- and GENDER-based violence, including through contributing to the development of a nationally owned multisectoral strategy in cooperation with UN Action Against SEXUAL Violence in Conflict entities;

17. Welcomes the continued cooperation between, and the conduct of coordinate...

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Cote d’Ivoire
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Extract: 

17. Welcomes the continued cooperation between, and the conduct of coordinated activities by, UNOCI and the FRCI and calls for strict adherence by the FRCI to international humanitarian, human rights and refugee laws and in this context, recalls the importance of training in human rights, child protection and sexual- and gender-based violence for security and law-enforcement agencies;

16. Calls on those responsible to cease committing acts of SEXUAL and GENDER-...

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Cote d’Ivoire
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Extract: 

16. Calls on those responsible to cease committing acts of SEXUAL and GENDER-based violence immediately, and further calls upon UNOCI, where consistent with its authorities and responsibilities, to continue to support national and international efforts to bring to justice perpetrators of grave abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in Côte d'Ivoire, irrespective of their status or political affiliation;

Expressing its concern about the continued reports, including those reported ...

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Cote d’Ivoire
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Extract: 

Expressing its concern about the continued reports, including those reported by the Secretary-General in his report of 15 May 2014 (S/2014/342), of human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including against WOMEN and children, in particular SEXUAL violence, stressing the importance of investigating and prosecuting such alleged violations and abuses, including those that occurred throughout the post-elections crisis committed by all parties, irrespective of their status or political affiliation,

12. Calls on UNSOM to implement its mandate consistent with, inter alia, reso...

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Somalia
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Extract: 

12. Calls on UNSOM to implement its mandate consistent with, inter alia, resolution 1325 (2000), deplores the ongoing incidences of SEXUAL violence in Somalia, welcomes the Federal Government of Somalia's development of a National Action Plan to end SEXUAL violence as well as the Implementation Plan of the Joint Communiqué of the Federal Government of Somalia and the United Nations on the Prevention of SEXUAL Violence, and encourages the United Nations, Member States and regional and international organizations to support implementation;

11. Stresses the need for the FGS to ensure that all perpetrators of serious ...

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Somalia
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Extract: 

11. Stresses the need for the FGS to ensure that all perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law are held accountable, and emphasizes the importance of UNSOM supporting the FGS in developing and implementing a national strategy for preventing and responding to SEXUAL and GENDER-based violence;

6. Reiterates the importance of UNSOM adhering to the Secretary-General's Hum...

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Somalia
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Extract: 

6. Reiterates the importance of UNSOM adhering to the Secretary-General's Human Rights and Due Diligence Policy and the United Nations Zero-Tolerance Policy on SEXUAL Exploitation and Abuse;

1. Decides to extend UNSOM's mandate for a period of 12 months as follows: (e...

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Somalia
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Extract: 

1. Decides to extend UNSOM's mandate for a period of 12 months as follows: (e) To monitor, help investigate and report to the Council on, and help prevent: (iii) Any violations or abuses committed against WOMEN, including all forms of SEXUAL and GENDER-based violence in armed conflict;

1. Decides to extend UNSOM's mandate for a period of 12 months as follows: (d...

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Somalia
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Extract: 

1. Decides to extend UNSOM's mandate for a period of 12 months as follows: (d) To help build the capacity of the Federal Government of Somalia to: (iii) Prevent conflict-related SEXUAL and GENDER-based violence, including through the provision of WOMEN's Protection Advisers;

22. Requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to ensure f...

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Sudan
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Extract: 

22. Requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to ensure full compliance of UNISFA with the United Nations zero tolerance policy on SEXUAL exploitation and abuses and to keep the Council informed if cases of such conduct occur;

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