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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Karama: Ending Violence in Our Own Terms

Karama aims to strengthen efforts to end violence against women by bringing together local women's organizations and other civil society groups in collaboration, analysis, and advocacy at national, regional, and international levels.

KWAT Condemns the Impunity of the Brutal Rape and Murder of 15 year-old School Girl in Kachin State

KWAT strongly condemns the impunity and this act of crime against humanity and lack of rule of law in Burma. We stand firmly and support the family's call for justice and we demand all Burmese military stations pull out from Kachin State. We also call upon the UN Security council look at its own Resolution 1820 by indicting Burma's generals at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the systematic use of rape by the Burmese army.

Chad: No Safe Place for Women

Sudanese Women living in refugee camps in eastern Chad are facing rape and other forms of violence. Outside the camps, they face a range of abuses from harassment and threats to physical attacks, committed by members of opposition armed groups, bandits and members of the Chadian security forces.

Urgent Action Alert: Call for the Immediate Release of Burmese Democracy Activist Nilar Thein

ilar Thein, a woman human rights defender and leading pro-democracy activist was arrested on 10 September 2008 and is currently being held at the Aung Tha Pyay Detention Centre in Rangoon, where she is at risk of torture and ill-treatment. WLB urgently appeals for her release and demands that the SPDC treat her humanely.

Third Women Congress of Western Sahara

Moved by the sufferings, human rights violantions and inhuman conditions reigning in their country, the National Union of Sahara Women urged individuals world-wide, humanitarian organizations and the international community, particularly the United Nations, to assume their responsibility in the protection of human rights in the occuppied territories of Western Sahara.

South Asian Campaign to End All Violence against Women

The six-year, six-country, South Asian Campaign to End All Violence against Women - or the 'WE CAN" campaign - aims to deal with violence women endure daily, both within their homes and in the larger society in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Letter Writing Campaign - WOREC NEPAL - Women Human Rights Defenders Assaulted and Beaten

WOREC Nepal and NAWHRDs is appalled and deeply shocked on hearing the cruel brutality of the Police against Women Human Rights Defenders of Chimdi Village Development Committee (VDC) of Sunsari district. Around 14 WHRDs have been severely beaten and injured by Police who charged them with batons and rear of the gun. Please take urgent action.

Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

Like every year, Working Women Organization is organizing the campaign on “Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” from November 25 to December 10, 2003. The main purpose of this campaign is to aware, to educate the civil society organization, professionals, trade unions and people to understand that how this curse is badly effecting the women lives and great hindrance for the development of nation.

UNIFEM Commemorates November 25th and the 16 Days of Activism Campaign

In Ecuador, UNIFEM is partnering with national women's institutions, CONAMU, the municipality of Quito and Amnesty International to organize cinema forums, workshops of gender equality and violence against women for youth, a concert, educational fair, art exhibitions and an academic debate involving prominent researchers on the issue from around the Andean region.

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