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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U.N. Action Against Sexual Violence In Conflict (UN Action)

WHAT IS UN Action?

UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action) unites the work of 13 UN entities with the goal of ending sexual violence in conflict. It is a concerted effort by the UN system to improve coordination and accountability, amplify programming and advocacy, and support national efforts to prevent sexual violence and respond effectively to the needs of survivors.

UN Action HAS THREE MAIN PILLARS:

UN Action, UNICEF & V-Day Campaign Launch: Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource - Power to Women and Girls of the DRC.

UN Action, under the leadership of UNICEF and with co-sponsor V-Day, launched the Stop Raping our Greatest Resource: Power to Women and Girls of the DRC campaign on 24 November 2007 in Bukavu, DRC.

The event launch was organized in collaboration with V-Day, the Ministry for Women's and Family Affairs (CONDIFFA), the UN Mission for Congo (MONUC) and several other United Nations Agencies.

World YWCA Call for Action

Elections in Kenya resulted in nearly 500 deaths and 250, 000 people are displaced in the search for safety. Amidst the violence women have been systematically raped and abused. Gang rape as a means of retaliation is on the increase and the Nairobi Women's Hospital has recorded a two-fold increase in rape cases in recent days.

Say No to Violence Against Women

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women will receive $100,000 from the United Nations Foundation for 100,000 signatures. UNIFEM and their Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman invites you to meet the challenge.

For more information, please click HERE

Unite to End Violence Against Women

“At least one out of every three women is likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Through the practice of prenatal sex selection, countless others are denied the right even to exist,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon.

For more information about the campaign, please click here

Reporting Individual Complaints to the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women

The Special Rapporteur is mandated to seek and receive information on violence against women, its causes and consequences from Governments, treaty bodies, specialized agencies, other special rapporteurs responsible for various human rights questions and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, including women's organizations, and to respond effectively to such information.

'Because I am a Girl: Special Focus- In the Shadow of War'

Today (May 19, 2008), on International Day of the Family, Plan is launching the second report in the 'Because I am a Girl' series.

This years' report 'Girls in the Shadow of War' reveals why and how girls' rights are being violated in countries affected by armed conflict. It shows clearly what is lost when girls' voices are ignored and their capacities and skills go un-recognized and under-developed.

Women's Commission Honors Refugee Activists at Annual Luncheon

The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children honored refugee activists from Liberia, Sri Lanka and Chechnya at its 2008 Voices of Courage Awards luncheon in early May at the Kula Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City.

Training Course: Coordination of Multi-Sectoral Response to Gender-Based Violence in Humanitarian Settings

The organisation of the training course “Coordination of Multi-Sectoral Response to Gender-Based Violence in Humanitarian Settings” is a joint initiative of ICRH and the UNFPA Humanitarian Response Unit, supported by the Flemish Inter-university Council (VLIR), the UN Inter-agency Standing Committee Gender Task Force and the UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Stop Violence Against Women Website

To fight the phenomenon of violence against women, Adovcates for Human Rights, with support from the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the Open Society Institute's Network Women's Program, have developed the Stop Violence against Women website (STOPVAW).

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