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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ANALYSIS: India Gendercide: A Great Threat To Security – Analysis

THE result of 2011 census of India is almost all heartening. Literacy is up; life expectancy is up; family size is stabilizing. But there is one grim exception- India's already skewed infant sex ratio is getting worse. India counted only 914 girls aged six and under for every 1,000 boys or 75.8m girls and 82.9m boys. This sex ratio is the worst in the recorded history of the modern Indian.

CAMPAIGN: Say No to Violence Against Women

Join the United Nations and create an ad that says No to Violence against Women. Competition is open to all citizens and residents of the 48 European countries. Voting is open to everyone.

Details available here.

CAMPAIGN: Scarcity of Firewood in Refugee Camps Threatens Environment in Developing Countries

As part of a new movement in social activism, the United States Association for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (USA for UNHCR) is calling on Americans to play a role in ending forest depletion around African refugee camps.

CAMPAIGN: No to Violence Against Women

Join the United Nations and create an ad that says No to Violence against Women. Competition is open to all citizens and residents of the 48 European countries. Voting is open to everyone.

View contest details here.

RESOURCE: UN Women Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence Against Women & Girls

The UN Women Global Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence against Women and Girls is an online resource in English, French and Spanish, designed to serve the needs of policymakers, programme implementers and other practitioners dedicated to addressing violence against women and girls.

OPINION: Limit Arms Exports to Reduce Violence Against Women

The availability of small arms increases sexual violence against women. Therefore, gender based violence needs to be central to international discussions on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), and states must act to end impunity for armed violence against women.

INTERVIEW: The Failure of the United States in Afghanistan

Harvard International Review: How has Afghanistan changed since the fall of the Taliban? In particular, how have women's lives changed?

INTERVIEW: There are Very Brave Women in Afghanistan

Interview with Elke Jonigkeit: Since 1985 Elke Jonigkeit has traveled through Afghanistan and produced seven films about the country and the women that live there. In 2003, she founded the Nazo training center in Kabul. Elke Jonigkeit is a 2010 award winner of the “Women's Worlds” film festival organized by “Terre des Femmes”. We met in a café in Berlin.

OPINION: In Defence of Women's Rights

We have long been told that human rights has no place in religion, especially Islam, so it was an incredibly profound experience to listen to imams saying that it is crucial to defend human rights, especially women's rights.

When things are really miserable, what we need most is hope. Sometimes that comes by meeting people who behave in unexpected ways.

Wake Up

From California to Congo, women and girls face unspeakable violence and abuse. In the chaos on conflict and disaster, women and girls are at even greater risk as their bodies and spirits become the forgotten frontline. Sexual violence is not just a by-product of war; it is a strategy of combat used to terrorize and humiliate.

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