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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About Project Response – Multi-Agency Response For Reporting On Gender-Based Violence In Maternal Health Services

ABOUT RESPONSE.pdf

FEMICIDE Volume VII: Establishing a Femicide Watch in Every Country

Femicide-Volume-VII-Establishing-a-Femicide-Watch-in-Every-Country.pdf

SRSG Pramila Patten urges the protection of survivors of sexual violence following the liberation of Mosul from Da’esh

Press Release_SRSG Patten Liberation of Mosul from Da'esh.pdf

A Life Of Its Own

16 Days Campaign Assessment.pdf

Empowering Survivors of Sexual Violence in the DRC

PRIO GPS Update Issue 1 2017.pdf

Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to resolution 2299 (2016) (S/2017/75)

N1701537.pdf

Women, Peace and Security UN Security Council Resolutions Poster

WPS-Resolutions-Poster-EN.pdf

NGO Major Group Position Paper for the HLPF 2017

15002NGO.pdf

Report of the Secretary General on the Progress Towards The Sustainable Development Goals

This report provides a global overview of the current situation of the Sustainable Goals, on the basis of the latest available data for indicators in the global indicator framework.  

The United Nations Reminds Governments That Human Rights Matter In The Arms Trade

This initiative are two reports that WILPF contributed with the Human Rights Council that recommend stronger regulations arms transfer to prevent human rights violations. WILPF and other civil society organisations helped highlight how arms transfer plays in gender-based violence and identified key risk assessment questions for officials to ask when making a gender sensitive risk assessment of any potential arms transfer.  

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