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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ADVOCACY: In El Salvador, Families and Human Rights Advocates Call for Stronger Action to End Violence Against Women

In El Salvador, families and human rights advocates are voicing concerns following an increase in gender-based killings. They're putting pressure on Congress and the Courts to fulfill promises to end attacks on women and make laws recently put on the books more effective. FSRN's Ricardo Martinez reports from the capital, San Salvador.

ONLINE DIALOGUE/BLOG: Using Digital Technology to Help Document Sexual Abuse in War Zones

As military forces in conflicts in Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continue to target non-combatants, civilians are deploying digital technologies to protect themselves from human rights abuses, including sexual violence.

INITIATIVE: Ending Violence against Women: A Challenge for Development

Human rights and development responses to violence against women Ending Violence against Women: A Challenge for Development, this book was written by Francine Pickup with Suzanne Williams and Caroline Sweetman and published by OXFAM GB.

ONLINE DIALOGUE/BLOG: Male War, Male Peace

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (1325) was unanimously adopted in October 2000 as a means “to reaffirm the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building and stressing the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.” In short, it represented the broadest p

ONLINE DIALOGUE/BLOG: Emerging From Conflict Gender-Based Component of a Multi-Sector Support Project

Côte d'Ivoire's political crisis in 2001 worsened the humanitarian situation in the country and gender-based violence (GBV) grew to affect 67% of women.

ONLINE DIALOGUE/BLOG: Australia's Presidency and the United Nations Security Council – Sustaining Political Will to Confine Sexual Violence to the Pages of History

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously passed Security Council resolution 2106 on 24 June 2013. This resolution was successful after much diplomatic work by the United Kingdom, as President of the UNSC in June. The ambition, as said William Hague, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, is confine rape in conflict to the pages of history.

STATEMENT: Left Speechless by Recent Violations Against Migrant Women

Civil society organisations in Cyprus have been left speechless by recent incidents involving migrant women – third country nationals and EU nationals – including the illegal deportation of a recognized victim of trafficking, the deportation of a woman from Romania in violation of a Supreme Court order, and physical violence perpetrated by the Police against a Romanian woman leading to the miscarriage.

INITIATIVE: New Initiative to Combat Violence Against Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, July 23, 2013 – African Press Organization (APO) – The European Union has just endorsed an initiative worth 25 million euros to combat violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Despite more than a decade of joint efforts from the international community and the Congolese Government, such violence remains commonplace.

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