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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TURKEY: Women on the Front Lines of Turkey Protests

Two ladies, one in red, the other in blue — that two iconic early images of Turkey's uprising flashed around the world were of women now seems no coincidence. Of the tens of thousands of antigovernment protesters who daily throng Istanbul's occupied central square — now on Day 12 — about half are female.

PHILIPPINES: Women's Group Files House Resolution Urging Sensitivity toward Rape Victims

Rape jokes, such as the one recently made by comedian Vice Ganda, are more than just ill-advised humor and reflect Philippine society's attitudes toward women and women victims of violence, according to the party list group Gabriela.

INDIA: NGO to Place Delhi 'Murder' Case Before UN Rapporteur

Imphal-based NGO Women Action for Development (WAD) has taken serious note of the growing crime against women in New Delhi, the latest being the alleged murder of a Manipuri woman, Reingamphy Awungshi. The NGO will place the issue before UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women (UNSRVAW) Rashida Manjoo and the NHRC for redressal.

PAKISTAN: Rural Women Want Land Right, Jobs, Protection Against Violence

Rural Women demands right to land, employment quota for rural women, protection of violence against women and a comprehensive framework for implementation of women protection laws to ensure rights and help them to become productive members of society.

ITALY: Italy to Reduce Violence Against Women

The issue of Italy's rising tide of violence against women has been in the spotlight with a raft of headline-grabbing murders of women, often by their current or past lovers.

The UN special investigator on violence against women reported last year that since the 1990s, as homicides committed by men against men fell in Italy, the number of women murdered by men has increased: In 2010, the figure stood at 127, the UN report said.

NAMIBIA: Namibian Women Missing On Rights

WHILE Namibia has put in place a strong legal framework to address the various forms of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, ineffective implementation prevents Namibian women from enjoying their rights to life, security of person and bodily integrity, a United Nations report on ‘Extreme Poverty and Human Rights' in Namibia has found.

RWANDA: World Bank, UN Chiefs Hail Rwanda's Gender Policies

UN Secretary General, Ban ki-Moon and World Bank president, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, have hailed Rwanda's commitment to end Gender Based Violence (GBV).

The two officials made the remarks yesterday after holding talks with President Kagame at Village Urugwiro.

It was the first time the heads of both institutions travelled together for a common purpose.

INTERNATIONAL: Saving Women and Girls

The violence committed against women and girls by men is a global scourge. And it is only one of the barriers to women and girls attaining their full human rights and achieving their potential.

In so many places around the world, the access of women and girls to economic and political participation and to basic reproductive health measures is blocked by outdated systems and structures controlled by men.

AFGHANISTAN: Jailing of Afghan Women Rises Sharply

The number of women and girls jailed by Afghan authorities for "moral crimes" has risen by 50 percent in the last year and a half, an alarming statistic that reflects the Afghan government's need to step up efforts to protect women's rights, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.

GUATEMALA: Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum Speaks on Justice & Sentencing in Guatemala

The long struggle for justice has come to a point of resolution this week as the High Impact Court “A”courtroom conviction of Guatemala's ex-president General Efraín Ríos Montt brings relief and emotional tears to many of Guatemala's indigenous.

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