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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UNIFEM Launches Global Action Platform To End Violence Against Women

United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) launched the global advocacy initiative Say NO - UNiTE to End Violence against Women, which will stimulate, count and showcase actions on ending violence against women. The innovative platform will spotlight global efforts and demonstrate the groundswell of support and actions on the issue.

Urgent Appeal for Solidarity by Zimbabwean Women to African Women and Women All Over the World

On March 29,2009 Zimbabwe went to the polls to elect its next government until 2013. From 2 April 2008 the government organised a retribution campaign to target those who allegedly voted for the opposition and since then there has been terror in mostly rural Zimbabwe with youth militia under the command of the army.

FAS Executive Director Visits Refugee Camps with Seven Other Notable Women: Solidarity Mission to Push for Ceasefire in Darfur, Chad

Bineta Diop, Executive Director of Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), has just returned from a solidarity and fact finding mission to eastern Chad along with seven other prominent women including Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Benin singer Angelique Kidjo.

Sudanese Women's Statement on Darfur

Femmes Africa Solidarité and its partner World YWCA successfully organised a Panel and a series of high level meetings for 6 Sudanese women in Geneva, 12 March to 18 March, 2008.

The women met with UN Delegates, foreign government ministers, ambassadors, NGO's, UN Agencies, the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rghts Situation in Sudan, Ms Sima Samar, and a broad spectrum of key contacts regarding Women in Darfur.

Darfur Peace and Development

Darfur Peace and Development Organization is non-profit and non-sectarian. It seeks to restore reconciliation where conflict exists in the Darfur region of Sudan through advocacy and humanitarian aid to the needy people in Darfur region, without regard to race, religion, sex or national origin.

First East Timorese Women's Conference: Together Against Violence of Women

On UN Day Against Violence of Women, a coalition of women's organizations, including FOKUPERS, Organizacao da Mulher Timor, Rede Feto and the Student Solidarity Council, hold in the town of Dili, the First East Timorese Women's Conference to speak out about violence againt women. Micato and Sabina Fonseca from Organizacao da Mulher Timor were the main speakers giving information on both domestic and military violence.

16 Days of Activism Against Violence

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is part of the Global Campaign for women's human rights. The first 16 Days Campaign was co-ordinated by the Centre for Women's Global Leadership Institute in June 1991.

Darfur Women Speak

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) sent a team of four experts to gather an in-depth picture of the lives and concerns of Darfuri women now living in the Farchana Refugee Camp in eastern Chad.

Shocking Sexual Violence Against Women in Ogaden

As it is known Ogaden is cut off from the rest of the world and unfortunately gross human rights violations that are ongoing in Ogaden committed by the Ethiopian regime is totally contrary to the human rights principles. What is even worse, this crime is being carried out with complete impunity.

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