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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EGYPT: Egypt Court Jails Seven For Life Over Sexual Assaults

A court in Egypt has sentenced seven men to life in prison and two others to 20 years for sexual assaulting women last month.

The women were attacked in Cairo during celebrations following the election of President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.

Afterwards, Mr Sisi ordered officials to enforce a new law making sexual assault a crime for the first time.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Medical App Amasses Evidence Against War-Zone Rapists

ASMA, 14, was raped at gunpoint. Two soldiers attacked her as she looked for firewood in the forest. "When I want to cry, one put a gun in my mouth while the other raped me. When the first had finished the other took his turn. I thought they were going to kill me."

AUSTRALIA: Government Commitment to Target Family Violence

The state government has reinforced its commitment to reducing violence.

The government has signed up to the Second Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

INTERNATIONAL: Conflict Affects Women's Reproductive Health

Gender-based violence, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity all flourish in times of conflict, says a review, suggesting clinicians need to be sensitive and aware of the unique challenges of women's reproductive health needs in such times, says IANS.

SYRIA: War's Toll on Women

Women in Syria have been arbitrarily arrested and detained, physically abused, harassed, and tortured during Syria's conflict by government forces, pro-government militias, and armed groups opposed to the government, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

SOMALIA: Somali Ministry of Women Launches Training On Gender-Based Violence

Somali Ministry of Women and Human Rights in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund and United Nations Children's Fund opened a three-day training in Mogadishu Sunday (July 6th) on ways to combat gender-based violence (GBV), Somalia's Goobjoog News reported.

More than 50 women will receive capacity building training in responding to GBV, including rape.

PAKISTAN: No Honor in Gender Violence

For anyone following the news from Pakistan, the past few weeks have made for grim reading when it comes to violence against women.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Exclusive: U.N. Security Council Sanctions Islamist ADF in Congo - Diplomats

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A U.N. Security Council committee blacklisted Ugandan Islamist group, the Allied Democratic Forces, on Monday for recruitment and use of child soldiers, killing, maiming and sexually abusing women and children, and attacks on U.N. peacekeepers.

HAITI: Haitian Rape Survivors Begin New Lives in Canada and the US

There are no Haitians in the Montreal neighborhood where Lovely lives. “There are mostly whites; it's very rare to find a black person, let alone a Haitian,” she says.

AFRICA: Bank Project Will Help Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Africa's Great Lakes Region

World Bank Group's Board of Executive Directors has approved US$107 million in financial grants to the countries of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda to provide integrated health and counseling services, legal aid, and economic opportunities, to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The project will also strengthen health services for poor and vulnerable women in Africa's Great Lakes region.

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