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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INDIA: Women in India Continue to Suffer, Says UN Rapporteur

Despite several amendments in criminal law, women in India continue to suffer, endure denial of constitutional rights and fall prey to the rampant sexual violence in the country, a United Nations rapporteur has said.

UN Special Rapporteur, Rashida Manjoo maintained that mediation and compensation measures are often used to address cases of violence against women, thus violating their fundamental rights.

DRC: UN Envoy "Shocked" Over Eastern DR Congo Abuses

The new UN special envoy for Africa's Great Lakes region, former Irish president Mary Robinson, expressed her "shock" Tuesday over human rights abuses in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

INDIA: Indian Police Arrest Second Suspect in Rape of 5-year-old

Indian police have arrested a second man in connection with the rape of a 5-year-old girl in New Delhi, a police spokesman said Monday.

The second suspect is accused of being an accomplice in the case, which has prompted protests in the streets of New Delhi.

He is being transferred to New Delhi from Bihar state in eastern India for questioning and DNA tests, said Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat.

BURMA: Amid Praise, End to Sexual Violence: G8

The G8 Foreign Ministers noted that since President Thein Sein took office, Myanmar has made great steps towards democracy and to strengthen the rule of law. The comments came at the international world leaders' summit in London on April 10 and 11.

KYRGYZSTAN: Kyrgyzstan Officials Taking Cultural Right Turn

Authorities at Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Culture want to ban a play that discusses domestic abuse and sexual violence because it “promotes scenes that destroy moral and ethical standards and national traditions of the peoples of Kyrgyzstan.”

The effort points to creeping conservatism in the thinking of Kyrgyzstan's leaders.

EL SALVADOR: Impunity, Machismo Fuel Femicides in El Salvador

Several brutal, high-profile murders of women in the last few weeks in El Salvador are just the latest reminder that this is one of the countries in the world with the highest number of femicides, the term used to describe the killing of women because they are female.

BURMA: Rohingya Rapes Caused Myanmar Refugee Fight-Indonesia Police

The rape and sexual harassment of three stateless Rohingya Muslim women caused last week's deadly brawl between Burmese and Rohingya refugees at an immigration centre on Sumatra, an Indonesian police report said.

PAKISTAN: Rights Commission Documents More Than 900 Honor Killings In Pakistan

In its annual report, the HRCP said 913 girls and women, including 99 minors, were killed in 2012.

The report said 604 were killed after being accused of having illicit relations with men.

INTERNATIONAL: G8 Reaches "Historic" Agreement to End Rape as Weapon of War

The world's eight richest nations have reached a historic agreement to work together to end sexual violence in conflicts, Britain's foreign minister William Hague announced on Thursday.

Hague called the "horrific" use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war "one of the greatest and most persistent injustices in the world".

AFGHANISTAN: UN Seriously Concerned at Deaths of Afghan Children and Woman in Recent Clash

The United Nations today voiced “serious concern” over the deaths of at least 10 Afghan children and a woman, and injuries to seven others in an armed clash during a joint Afghan-NATO operation against the Taliban in eastern Kunar province.

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