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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Strengthening Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Refugee and Internally Displaced Person (IDP) settings

Gender-based violence is a pervasive public health and human rights issue throughout the world. While international declarations and frameworks with recommendations on how to deal with perpetrators of gender-based violence exist, they are, by themselves, not adequate to change people's attitudes and practices, which in many communities are reinforced by gender norms and power relations.

International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in Burma

Under the leadership of women Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and their partner organization, the Women's League of Burma, the Nobel Women's Initiative is planning an International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in Burma. The Tribunal is a women-directed and women-centered justice and advocacy initiative.

Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation

WOTCLEF (Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), which was initiated and founded by Her Excellency, Chief (Mrs.) Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, wife of the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1999. It is committed to building an international coalition that restores human dignity through empowerment, education and advocacy.

The Voice of Libyan Women

The Voice of Libyan Women (VLW) was initially founded in August 2011 as a result of the February 17 Revolution which renewed not only our hope for equality in Libya, but also renewed the hope of the Libyan society as a whole in their basic human rights, including women's rights. This hope quickly translated into action, which VLW believes is the best method for any concrete improvement with regards to women's rights.

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