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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TRAINING: Teaching WISE Women and WISE Men

“Have you ever seen a woman who was properly dressed and they raped that woman anyway?” Oretha T. Lah, a legal advocate and gender trainer, asked a group of about twenty men last month at a community center in Kakata, an hour outside of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.

The men agreed that this had happened, but weren't quite ready to say that how women dress isn't a cause of rape.

ANALYSIS: You Get What You Pay For, Canada (Part of the 16 Day Campaign)

CANADA

We have a conservative, cutting government at the moment and we can list a huge number of programs which they've cut or under-funded.

ANALYSIS: You Get What You Pay For, Russia (Part of the 16 Day Campaign)

RUSSIA

Russia in 2008 ranks as 5th country in the world with highest military expenditure, with a spending of 58.6 billion dollars, representing an approximate 4% of the world share, a roughly 3.5% of its own GDP and a spending per capita of 413 dollars.

ANALYSIS: You Get What You Pay For, Argentina (Part of the 16 Day Campaign)

ARGENTINA

Calculations

Argentina's military expenditures are 8% of its GDP.

While ranking 53rd amongst highest national military budgets, with this money, the government could

• Cover the costs of ½ year of public health
• Or cover those who currently pay out-of-pocket for private health care for three years.

VIDEO: ''Another War'' - A Documentary on Sexual Gender Based Violence

The compelling film brings you the voices of rape survivors, frontline health workers, emerging women activists, Liberia's Chief Prosecutor for sexual assault crimes, the Minister of Justice, and the Gender Ministry's GBV Unit.

ANALYSIS: Violence Against Women 'Biggest Threat to Peace'

A Women for Women International report being released on international Stop Violence Against Women Day (25 November) finds 'violence against women is the single biggest threat to peace' and countries are falling strikingly short on UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and UN (SCR) 1325 development and security goals.

CONFERENCE: Beirut Conference Highlights Need for Legal Reforms to Combat Violence Against Women

Legal reforms are necessary to fight against gender-based violence but they must be accompanied by wider social and political transformations, activists said Tuesday.

STATEMENT: PM Speech on Day for Elimination Violence Against Women, Kurdistan

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

This campaign for the elimination of violence against women is a social, political and civil duty for us all; whatever our posts are, whatever aspect of life we operate in, we should all combat this plague.

ANALYSIS: Sexual Violence Against Women in South East Turkey: a Tactic of War

Data from different sources seems to consistently estimate that no less than 100 women come forward yearly to denounce abuse by security forces. Since only an approximate 10% of victims do complain, the real figure would ascend to around 1000 cases of violence against women perpetrated by security forces every year.

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