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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SGBV

Extract: 

Da’esh and its ilk have shown that they are capable of immense cruelty through the prevalant use of sexual violence and the enslavement and trade of women and girls for recruitment and financial purposes. In that regard, the practices of groups such as Da’esh and Boko Haram in perpetuating sexual violence, including through the trafficking of women and children, demands heightened and greater attention and responses from the Council.

SGBV

Extract: 

According to the World Report on Human Trafficking of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), that phenomenon affects practically all regions of the world. UNODC has identified at least 510 flows of transnational trafficking in persons. Most of those victims are targeted for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

SGBV

Extract: 

We especially wish to thank Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan and Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha for their courage and for reminding us once again today of the consequences and trauma experienced by victims of war and terrorism, in this case in one of its most perverse forms: trafficking in persons and sexual violence.

SGBV

Extract: 

 In different parts of the world affected by conflict, sexual violence is used as a destructive tactic of war or terrorism, as well as one of the key elements of the ideology and activities of extremist groups, such as Boko Haram and Da’esh. The terrorist groups that I just mentioned are openly promoting human trafficking as part of their military strategy or as a source of funding.

SGBV SSR

Extract: 

It is also an important global institution in the context of resolution 1325 (2000) for its pioneering work on gender justice. By recognizing a range of sexual and gender-based crimes experienced by women in conflict, the ICC also acts to deter the commission of such crimes in the future.

SGBV

Extract: 

The Government accepted the force. Five months later, not a single RPF soldier has been deployed, even as Government forces have continued killing civilians, used sexual violence as a systematic weapon of war, and positioned themselves to carry out large-scale mass atrocities.

SGBV

Extract: 

Accelerating the empowerment of women in regional water management should therefore be viewed as critical, because women play an important part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water. The pivotal role of women as providers and users of water and as guardians of the living environment is seldom reflected in institutional arrangements for the development and management of water resources.

2339 SGBV

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Central African Republic
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Extract: 

Strongly condemning the ongoing violence and instability in the CAR, and the threats of violence, human rights violations and abuses and international humanitarian law violations, including against women and children; the attacks against United Nations peacekeepers, international forces and humanitarian personnel; the continuous cycle of provocations and reprisals by armed groups, both inside and outside Bangui and denial of humanitarian access, committed by armed elements, which continue to adversely affect the dire humanitarian situation faced by the civilian population and to impede humanitarian access to vulnerable populations,

Calling upon the CAR authorities to ensure that perpetrators of violations of applicable international law, including those committed against children and women, are excluded from the CAR security and armed forces,

2337 SGBV

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Cyprus
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Peacekeeping
Extract: 

Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNFICYP to implement the Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action including the conduct of pre -deployment awareness training, and to take disciplinary action and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel;

SGBV

Extract: 

Yet Viet Nam remains gravely concerned about the continuing violence targeting women and girls, especially those displaced by conflicts. Viet Nam condemns all acts of violence and abuse against women and girls. We call for strengthened efforts by the United Nations and Member States in addressing this issue. We urge the United Nations to strictly implement its zero- tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.

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