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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Security Council Resolution 2372: Paragraph 43

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Somalia
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
General Women, Peace and Security
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Implementation
Extract: 

43.Calls on the Federal Government of Somalia, the Federal Member States, AMISOM and UNSOM to work to ensure that women and girls are protected from sexual violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse, which can significantly exacerbate and prolong situations of armed conflict and may impede the restoration of international peace and security, and that victims are supported and perpetrators held accountable, urges the Federal Government of Somalia, with the support of the United Nations, to accelerate the implementation of the Joint Communiqué and the National Action Plan to combat sexual violence in conflict.

Security Council Resolution 2372 (2017)

N1727297.pdf

UN Women Strategic Plan: 2018-2021

UNW-2017-6-Strategic Plan-EN.pdf

Promotion And Protection Of Rights Of Victims Of Sexual Violence Captured By ISIL Or In Areas Controlled By ISIL In Iraq

UNAMIReport22Aug2017_EN.pdf

Is The UN Sending The Wrong People To Keep The Peace?

This article is a four-part series that tries to investigate why some UN peacekeepers become predators. Reports of sexual violence by peacekeepers have emerged, and while UNSCR 1325 calls for more women peacekeepers, it doesn't recognize that more women won't change masculine militarization and sexual violence.    

Is The UN Sending The Wrong People To Keep The Peace?

Is the UN sending the wrong people to keep the peace.pdf

General Recommendation No. 35 (GR35) on gender-based violence against women

CEDAW_C_GC_35_8267_E.pdf

General Recommendation No. 19 (GR19) on violence against women

52d920c54.pdf

Violence Prevention: Changing Cultural And Social Norms That Support Violence

social norms.pdf

Security Council Resolution 2363: Paragraph 41

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

Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council every 60 days following adoption of this resolution on UNAMID, including:

(i) information on the political, humanitarian and security situation in Darfur, including detailed reporting on incidents of violence and attacks against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence, by whomsoever perpetrated;

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