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 >>

Women from Around the World Condemn the Election- related Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Women from Around the World Condemn the Election- related Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The International Civil society Action Network and the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders condemn the election-related violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Liberia's Nobel Win Hide's Liberia's Grim Rape Reality

With two Liberian women securing the Nobel Peace Prize -- one of them being the first female president of an African country -- it's clear that women's rights have made giant strides in the small West African nation. But with alarming rates of rape and few convictions for offenders, Liberia still has a long way to go if it's to live up to expectations.

'Blood Mineral' Trade Short Film Premieres in London

New Hollywood-backed short film, Unwatchable, which exposes the ‘blood mineral' trade in The Democratic Republic of Congo, premieres in London.

The film aims to highlight the link between minerals imported from the Congo used in UK electronics, in particular mobile phones, with the use of rape and murder as weapons of war in the country.

Women and Girls Lead in September Cinema

September, it seems, began in retrograde: not one of the films opening on Labor Day weekend was directed by a woman.

Statement by Members of the Women's Movement In Protest of the Recent Escalation of Violence against Women in Iran

Physical and sexual violence against women in Iran, including violence perpetrated by state security forces, is rapidly increasing. News releases in official media, which usually censor such topics, have surprisingly reported on incidents of gang rape and assaults against women.

APPEAL: End Violence against Guatemalan Women

In Guatemala, a human rights emergency is raging, and no one is paying attention.

Women and girls are being raped, tortured and murdered, their mutilated bodies discarded in public places.

In the past decade nearly 5,000 young women have been murdered in this way, some as young as ten. The community of our sister organization in Barcenas, Guatemala is ground zero in this crisis.

UN Contest for Best Campaign to End Violence Against Women Opens for Voting

Public voting is under way in a United Nations contest aimed at finding the best advertising campaign to promote awareness in Europe about the battle to defeat gender-based violence, which affects more than two out of every three women worldwide.

Pages