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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INITIATIVE: Nepal: Protest Against Gender Violence Continues

KATHMANDU: Women's rights activists today staged an hourlong sit-in at Hanumansthan, Anamnagar, from 12 pm, giving continuity to their campaign aimed at ending violence against women (VAW). Since April 29, they have been staging the sit-in every Monday calling on policymakers to take steps against VAW by establishing a fast track court and taking other measures like amending rape laws.

DEMONSTRATION: Solidarity with Egyptian women

We, feminist activists, gathered together at the initiative of the Fourth International in Amsterdam on 13-17 July 2013, coming from the Caribbean, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Tunisia, express our full solidarity and support for the Egyptian women demonstrators and activists who suffer sexual, moral and physical violence aimed at systematically excluding them from publ

RESEARCH: School of Public Health researcher works around the world to reduce violence against women

In West Africa's Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire), as many as 60 percent of women experience physical or sexual violence at the hands of their male partners at some point in their lifetime.

CONFERENCE/MEETING: WPS Panel Series: Men, Peace and Security: Engaging Men and Boys to Promote Gender Equality and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence

The topic of Women, Peace and Security has become recognized as a key issue in global discussions today. It is rare to question men's role in these discussions, yet creating partnerships with men is critical to establishing gender equality and ending gender based violence.

ONLINE DIALOGUE & BLOGS: 'Gender-Based Violence' Mapping in Cambodia

The Open Institute NGO has launched a crowdsourced gender-based violence mapping tool in Cambodia to promote and protect women rights. Notably, gender-based violence has remained a significant issue in Cambodia. A UN report highlighted the problem of demostic violence and gender-based violence against sex workers, most-at-risk young people, and women living with HIV.

ONLINE DIALOGUE/BLOG: The True Legacy of Srebrenica Should Be That Such Violence Is Never Perpetrated Again

Today we mark the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide and offer our thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families. The events that took place on this day 18 years ago began a chain of events that led to the deaths of over 8,000 men and boys and the forced removal of 30,000 women and girls.

MULTI-MEDIA: Libyans to Fight Violence against Women

A Libyan women's rights organisation is mounting a powerful media campaign against domestic violence, street harassment and public denigration of women.

The Noor (“Light”) campaign is setting up billboards on streets in some 20 cities across Libya to raise awareness about street harassment. TV and radio adverts are also used as part of the efforts.

STATEMENT: Egypt will Never be Free until Women are Free

It is with dismay that Women's International League for Peace and Freedom's project “MENA Agenda 1325″ learns of escalating attacks on women protesters in Egypt's Tahrir Square. Reports by our Egyptian partners and Human Rights Watch indicate growing levels of extreme sexual violence against women who have taken to the streets alongside men protesting for democracy and justice in Egypt.

ONLINE DIALOGUE/BLOG: Sierra Leone's Irish alliance bodes well for women affected by violence

The World Health Organisation recently trained the spotlight on gender-based violence, particularly in Africa, where almost half of all women will experience physical or sexual assault in their lifetime.

ONLINE DIALOGUES & BLOG: Despite Risk of Assault and Rape, Women Make Voices Heard in Cairo

Only one woman sat among the 14 people who flanked General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Egyptian state television as he announced Egypt's new constitutional order. In President Mohammed Morsi's cabinet, there were two – out of 24 people.

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