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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STATEMENT: Critical Role of Women in Peace and Security

Melanne Verveer
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues
U.S. Institute of Peace
Washington, DC
July 27, 2010

VIDEO: Confronting Rape and Other Forms of Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones Spotlight: DRC and Sudan

Testimonies at the congressional hearing on sexual violence in the Congo held on May 19, 2009 before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on African Affairs and the new Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy and Global Womens Issues.

VIDEO: Every 8 Minutes

With over 5.5 million killed since 1998, the conflict in the DR Congo is the deadliest since World War II. Rape—conducted systematically and with tremendous brutality—is used as a weapon of war. Award-winning actress Sienna Miller's trip shines a light on what we can all do to make a difference.

To view the video, please click here.

STATEMENT: Ending Sexual Violence: Translating Promises into Practice

A decade since the Security Council first considered the agenda item Women, Peace and Security we are compelled to ask some difficult questions. Have we delivered peace and security for women? If our measure of success is not the number of reports and meetings, but rather the number of women who feel safer in their daily lives, then recent events in Kyrgyzstan, Guinea and Haiti suggest that the challenge is more urgent than ever.

On the 31st july, UK WILPF Launched the African Women's Decade 2010-2020

On the 31st july, UK WILPF launched
the African Women's Decade 2010-2020

The UK Section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Launched the African Women's Decade 2010-2020 in London on the 31st of July; which was the 48th Pan African Women's Day. The event was hosted by the Centre for Gender Study at School of Oriental and African Studies, University in London, from 2-5pm.

VIDEO: Women in War Zones: Sexual Violence in the Congo

Some wars make headlines; some do not. In the messy aftermath of the Rwandan civil war, refugees fled to the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). As many as 100,000 of the Interahamwe, a militia partially responsible for the Rwandan genocide, crossed the border to avoid prosecution for acts against humanity.

VIDEO: Women in Struggle

Women in Struggle presents rare testimony from four female Palestinian ex-prisoners who disclose their experiences during their years of imprisonment in Israeli jails and the effect it has had on their present and future lives.

VIDEO: The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo

Winner of the Sundance Special Jury Prize in Documentary and the inspiration for a 2008 U.N. Resolution classifying rape as a weapon of war, this extraordinary film, shot in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), shatters the silence that surrounds the use of sexual violence as a weapon of conflict.

CAMPAIGN: Help Needed- Iranian Woman Sentenced to Stoning Death

Help is needed to preserve the life of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, an Iranian women who could be stoned to death at any time. Equality Now says it has learned from credible sources that Mohammadi-Ashanit received the sentence after being changed with committing adultery with two men.

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