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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CAMPAIGN: In Sierra Leone, Teaching Girls How to Say No

Marie thought Alfred was the one.

With a serious dose of the cutes and generous as a dream, Alfred was a catch. He had brains, too, and encouraged her to do well in school. Unlike some of Marie's girlfriends' beaus, Alfred, always the gentleman, never pressured her to do things she that made her uncomfortable. It was all platonic, and Marie loved it.

ANALYSIS: The Media's Cowardice Towards Women (Middle East)

A video recording has shown the Sudanese police, in the presence of a judge, brutally whipping a woman suspected of performing an "indecent act."

Kidnapped women are being exchanged in the city of Kirkuk, Iraq.

In the last eight months, there have been 232 cases of violence against women and children in Yemen.

MEETING: Males gather for women in gender & dev't forum

It was a gathering of men for women.

Some 35 men from the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere (MOVE) with other male representatives from other national government agencies and non-government organizations in Baguio recently convened for a forum dubbed, “Men's Forum: Mainstreaming gender and development in the family, workplace, and community.”

BLOG: Access to Justice for Women in Cambodia

As with many development issues, women and girls are more adversely affected than their male counterparts when attempting to access justice in Cambodia. Gender inequality is deeply ingrained in Cambodian society.

BLOG: UNSCR1325 on its 10th Anniversary: Update

In October and November 2010, I had the opportunity to travel to the United States of America and take part in a series of events around the 10th Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. I am one of six women that assessed six countries (Indonesia- Aceh, Colombia, Liberia, Israel-Palestine, Sri Lanka and Uganda).

ANALYSIS: Women Have Human Rights, Too

The International Criminal Court, the first permanent tribunal set up to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, opened its doors in 2002. Five years earlier, people in the global women's movement had organised a women's caucus for gender justice to bring about this happy event, and the existence of the ICC is in no small part the result of their concerted efforts.

WORKSHOP: Workshop on Women's Rights in ASEAN Opens in Vietnam

A workshop on human rights of women in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was held Wednesday.

The workshop is jointly held by the Vietnamese Research Centre for Human Rights, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, and Canadian International Development Agency.

BLOG: Teaching Men and Boys

On the eve of World Human Rights Day, listeners to the suitcase radio broadcast on 89.2FM in Labasa were reminded that faith based organizations and men are key partners in championing the cause of non-violence:

CAMPAIGN: Bahraini Men Inspire Lebanese to Curb Violence Against Women

Bahraini men who espouse the rights of women have become inspirations for their counterparts in Lebanon. Members of the ‘Bahrain Network of Men to End Violence Against Women' were present when a similar body was launched last week in Lebanon.
Their participation in such an event was part the global campaign linking the ‘World Day to End Violence Against Women', as well as to mark the World Human Rights Day.

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