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 >>

DEMONSTRATION: Kurdistan Committee to Speak of Women's Rights

During a demonstration organized in Yerevan the Kurdistan Committee will speak of violation of Kurdish women's rights in Turkey.

“We will speak against Turkey's policy of oppressing Kurdish women and violating their rights. We will call on all women worldwide to condemn violence,” committee's head Zhenya Amiryan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

OPINION: Why We Need Women in War Zones

THOUSANDS of men blocked the road, surrounding the S.U.V. of the chief justice of Pakistan, a national hero for standing up to military rule. As a correspondent for The Chicago Tribune, I knew I couldn't just watch from behind a car window. I had to get out there.

CONFERENCE: World Without Genocide Presents: the Gender-Based Violence and Genocide Symposium

Violence against women occurs in epidemic proportions in the U.S .and abroad. The Gender-based Violence and Genocide Symposium explores violence against women locally and globally. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 10 am to 2:30 pm at William Mitchell.

Presenters include:

ANALYSIS: Police, Security and Women in Peace Processes

Why is it that although rule of law and police reform are often stated to be priorities during peace processes, women still face rising insecurity in ‘post'-conflict societies? Afghanistan offers some lessons on the triangular nexus between police, security and women in peace processes.

EVENT: Our Bodies are Still Trembling: Haitian Women's Fight Against Rape, Part II of Event Series

Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: 206 Furman Hall, New York University, 254 Sullivan St (corner of Sullivan Street and 3rd Street)

Contact: Stephanie Kung, skung@madre.org

Come meet MADRE's new Executive Director Yifat Susskind and Haitian women's human rights leaders, and learn about their work to end the epidemic of rape in Haiti.

ANALYSIS: New DOJ Task Force to Produce Manual on Prosecution of Violence Against Women in Indian Country

A new Violence Against Women Federal and Tribal Prosecution Task Force being formed this year is being directed to produce a trial practice manual on the federal prosecution of violence against women offenses in Indian Country.

Attorney General Eric Holder and United States Attorney for the District of Montana, Michael W. Cotter, announced the formation and inaugural meeting of the task force this week.

ANALYSIS: UN Women's 100-Day Plan: Vision, Ambition and Common Sense

Few new organizations are formed with as much anticipation as the new UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women -- or "UN Women," for short. Given its bulky official name, some of us feared a "bulky" or bureaucrat start. But, many of those fears were allayed when Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, was appointed last September as Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director.

INTERVIEW: UN Foundation's Tamara Kreinin on the Status of Women and Girls in Post-Earthquake Haiti

Ostensibly, my recent chat with Tamara Kreinin, executive director of Women and Population at the United Nations Foundation, was supposed to be about International Women's Day. And while it was, we also got sidetracked into talking extensively about Tamara's recent trip to Haiti. Her observations were too insightful not to share.

BLOG: The New Women's Movement, From Congo To Davos

"I follow with my eyes men who are passing by. In case it is one of them, I want them to see that I am still alive, that they did not kill me, neither body nor soul, nor will they ever be able to do it."

Zainab Salbi recounted the story of Safeta, a Bosnian woman who was held captive and repeatedly raped by Serbian militants after her husband was taken to a concentration camp in 1990.

ANALYSIS: How the Other Half Suffers

It has been 10 years since the United Nations adopted Security Council Resolution 1325, which addresses the role of women during wartime - both as victims and peacekeepers - and makes them a key part of its efforts to end conflict around the world.

Pages