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.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

BURMA/MYANMAR: Rape Is a Weapon in Burma's Kachin State, but the Women of Kachin Are Fighting Back

By breaking their silence, and documenting the outrages committed, local communities in Kachin are defending themselves against sexual violence from the Burmese military and police.

INTERNATIONAL: Ignoring Equality, Rights and Women's Health Risks Derailing Development

While nearly 1 billion people have escaped extreme poverty in the past 20 years and child and maternal mortality have been cut by almost one half, much more work remains to be done to address inequalities and ensure the rights and dignity of all, especially women and children, top United Nations officials stressed today.

PAKISTAN: Pakistan Women's Day Celebrated

The Pakistan Women's Day was celebrated on Wednesday in commemoration of the events of February 12, 1983.

FIJI: Bainimarama Warns Sex Offenders

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has come out strongly against sexual offences committed against women and children.
Bainimarama voiced his concern in Kadavu as our reporter Apisalome Coka reports.


AFGHANISTAN: Why Imported Notions about Rights Can't Help Afghanistan's Women

It feels like a slap in the face of humanity: a new Afghan draft law effectively legalising domestic violence against women and children. If it were a movie this bill, which will automatically become law later this month unless President Hamid Karzai refuses to ratify it, would be called "The Patriarch Returns". So are we to take it that this is the price of peace?

LIBERIA: Unicef Boss Warns against Violence

The Country Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Mr. Sheldon Yett, has warned against all gender and domestic based violence in the country.

According to Mr. Yett, violence does not discriminate; noting that it cuts across communities, culture, class and religions and as such, it must be avoided at all times and at all levels.

COLOMBIA: There will be No Peace in Colombia without Women

The documentation centre No habrá paz sin las mujeres [There will be no peace without women] enables female leaders, professionals and survivors of the armed conflict in Colombia to express themselves and share their experiences so that, according to the website, “the lifework they have dedicated to peace is not forgotten.” Their testimony is offered through an online photography exhibition and video interviews.

FIJI: Violence against Women Training kicks off

Violence Against Women and Girls is rife in the Pacific and various programs are being developed to counter this.`26 participants from Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tonga shared their ideas and experiences as the first day of their week long Stage 4 Pacific Male Advocacy Training of Trainers kicked off in Nadi yesterday.

UNITED STATES: Violence Against Women Act Finally lets Native American Tribes Prosecute Non-Tribal Members, and it's about Damn Time

For those of you who have blocked out memory of the long battle to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act that waged throughout 2012 and into 2013, one of the objections that obstructionist Republicans had was the fact that the act would allow Native American tribes to prosecute non-tribal members for domestic violence and rape.

IRAQ: Iraq Illegally Detains Thousands of Women, Tortures Many: HRW

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi authorities are detaining thousands of women illegally and subjecting many to torture and ill-treatment, including the threat of sexual abuse, Human Rights Watch said in a report published on Thursday.

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