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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AUSTRALIA: Tony Abbott Launching Plan to Stop Domestic Violence, Forced Marriages and Female Genital Mutilation

AUTHORITIES will crack down on forced marriages, female genital mutilation and the abuse of migrant spouses under a new national plan to stop violence against women.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott will today launch the $100 million Second Action Plan to stop domestic violence, which will also see state and territory governments commit to work on implementing a national scheme for domestic violence orders.

SYRIA: The Women of Syria Advocating for Peace

The Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict Summit that took place in London Between 10 – 13 June 2014 was a great platform for international NGOs and grassroots women organisations to show the impact of sexual violence on civilians and discuss the programmes they are leading to combat this impact.

NIGERIA: 60 Females, 31 Boys Abducted in Northeast Nigeria

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Extremists have abducted 60 more girls and women and 31 boys in weekend attacks on villages in northeast Nigeria, witnesses said Tuesday, another sign of the Nigerian military's failure to curb an Islamic uprising.

Some married women were taken along with their children who range in age from three to 15, said witnesses.

UNITED STATES: Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict: Turning Commitment into Action

Time and again, we hear horrific accounts of violence perpetrated against women in conflicts around the world. But this violence is not inevitable. The United States is committed to addressing this important issue diplomatically and financially -- and it is not alone.

COLOMBIA: What Will New Sexual Violence Law Mean for Victims in Colombia's Conflict?

Colombia's president has approved a law that makes acts of sexual violence committed during the country's long-standing armed conflict crimes against humanity, but questions remain regarding how this legislation will be applied to the benefit of the victims.

INTERNATIONAL: Stopping Sexual Violence in Conflict : Gender Politics in Foreign Policy

Last week, what was billed as the world's largest summit on the issue of sexual violence in conflict, co-hosted by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, and Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Angelina Jolie, concluded in London.

INTERNATIONAL: On World Refugee Day, Let's Commit to Make the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls in Conflict a Priority

The scale of violence committed against women and girls, mostly by men, constitutes a global crisis affecting all people and all societies. From physical and psychological abuse, rape and genital mutilation to exploitation and human trafficking, gender-based violence (GBV) has profound and long-lasting consequences for individuals, families and communities.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: 40 Participants to Graduate from FWCC Training Program

40 participants from Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, RMI, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu will graduate from the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre's Regional Training Program 6pm tomorrow Thursday, 19 June 2014 at the Southern Cross Hotel Conference Room in Suva.

LIBYA: The Law is Failing the Women of Libya

What started as a normal day for an ordinary young woman here in Libya turned into a nightmare when a security guard at her public university physically and verbally attacked her, trying to bar her from entering her classroom because she was not wearing a head scarf.

INDIA: UN Body Denounces Caste-based Rape and Violence Against Women

Senior UN human rights officials at a UN Human Rights Council event have called for immediate efforts to end caste-based rape and violence against women. The event, co-sponsored by Human Rights Watch, followed calls for action from human rights organizations and India's UN representative in response to the gang-rape and hanging of two girls in Uttar Pradesh May 27.

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