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 >>

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

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

Femicide Watch Platform Prototype Launched At 2017 Un Crime Commission

This initiative is the Femicide Watch Platform prototype at the 26th Session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ). The prototype has important information about femicide for all types of people including civil society activists, policy-makers and practitioners. 

Femicide Watch Platform Prototype Launched At 2017 UN Crime Commission

Femicide Watch Platform Prototype Launched At 2017 UN Crime Commission .pdf

Statement of the United Kingdom at the Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians - May 2017

UK POC 2017.pdf

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

N1713409.pdf

Legal Action Worldwide

Website: 
http://www.legalactionworldwide.org

Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) is a non-profit network and think tank of human rights lawyers who provide creative legal assistance to individuals and communities who have suffered from human rights violations and abuses in fragile and conflict-affected areas.

SGBV

Extract: 

As so vividly described in the Secretary-General’s report and by those who have addressed the Security Council today, sexual violence has increasingly become part of the toolbox of terror with which armed groups seek to consolidate their influence and extend their power at the expense of those who are exposed to their predations.

SGBV

Extract: 

There is no doubt about it: Da’esh, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab and many other terrorist groups mentioned in the report (S/2017/249) of the Secretary-General use sexual violence as a tactic of war, a weapon of terror and a source of financial revenue used to augment their resources and augment their power. They openly advocate those practices, which figure prominently among their strategic objectives and ideologies.

SGBV

Extract: 

The term “conflict-related sexual violence” is far too weak to actually describe the hell that women, men and children are forced to go through. It is our duty to speak against these horrors. It is what the people of the world demand of us. Silence is not an option in the face of rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization and forced marriages.

SGBV

Extract: 

Portugal fully agrees with the view of the Secretary-General that more must be done to prevent sexual violence in conflict.

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