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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LIBERIA: Rebuilding Liberia: Women were Key in Ushering Peace, but still Suffer Violence Post War

It's hard to underscore enough the role women have played in Liberia's recent history.

During the civil war years (1989-2003), rape of women and girls was used by rival factions to humiliate and instill fear, according to Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The United Nations has estimated more than 40,000 women were raped during the war years.

AUSTRALIA: New Asylum Policy Puts Women at Greater Risk of Violence

The Labor government's changes to immigration policy show a singular focus on stopping people seeking asylum in Australia and destroying the business of people smugglers. But unhappy prospects await the women and children who have fled conflict zones to seek asylum in Australia and find themselves in Papua New Guinea.

FIJI: UN Women Works with Partners

UN women are now working with the Pacific Regional Facility Fund to try to prevent and eliminate violence against women.

The Pacific Regional Facility has funded this initiative, working with its regional partners in Fiji and the Pacific.

INDIA: Delhi Assaults on Women Rise as Verdict Due in Fatal Rape

The gang rape and subsequent death of a young medical student seven months ago united India in outrage and brought promises from the country's leaders to curb attacks on women. That hasn't made New Delhi any safer.

INTERNATIONAL: U.N. Deploys Women Protection Advisers to Curb Sexual Violence

Despite the United Nations' "zero tolerance" policy against sexual violence, there has been a rash of gender-based crimes in several of the world's conflict zones, including South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Northern Uganda, Somalia, the Central African Republic - and, more recently, in politically-troubled Egypt and Syria.

SIERRA LEONE: Building gender equality into Sierra Leone's potential

Imagine starting a country from scratch. That's what it feels like everyone is doing in Sierra Leone, a country now 10 years out of a civil war, but still struggling to restore infrastructure to pre-war levels.

SUDAN: Time to Let Sudan's Girls Be Girls, Not Brides

Lawyers and rights activists are calling for a change in Sudan's laws which allow for the marriage of girls as young as 10.

It is time, they say, that Sudan's laws recognise gender equality so that the country's girls and young women can take control of their lives and leave behind the cycle of child marriage and abuse.

EGYPT: Women's Voices Must Be Heard Without Threat of Violence - UN Official

A senior United Nations official today stressed the need to ensure women can make their voices heard in Egypt without fear of violence, stressing that their right to take part in the country's public life must be protected.

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Court Reverses Convictions in Torture of Girl

A court has reversed the convictions of three Afghans jailed for torturing a young relative who had refused to become a prostitute, alarming activists who had celebrated the guilty verdicts as a warning to all those who would seek to reverse the strides made by women here in the past 12 years.

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