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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AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Woman's Beheading Latest In Alarming Trend

In the latest incident, an 18-year-old identified only as Najibullah was arrested on October 13 in connection with the gruesome torture and beheading two days earlier of a woman in the western city of Herat, near the border with Iran.

Mahgul, a 25-year-old newlywed, was found dead outside her home by her family, who then carried her mutilated body to the local Department for Women's Affairs to raise awareness of her killing.

PAKISTAN: Violence in the Home

A police officer in Karachi beats up his wife at the slightest provocation. She is badly bruised but has no way of seeking relief. This is a story heard in every third household in Pakistan.

DRC: 5 000 rapes as unrest engulfs eastern DRC

At least 5 000 women have been raped this year in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern province of North Kivu as a new rebellion has sown fresh unrest in the conflict-prone region, a local hospital said on Thursday.

AFGHANISTAN: Sisters in Arms: Young Afghan Activist Continues Malala's Fight

The news that the Taliban gunned down a schoolgirl last week shocked the world, but not a young woman named Noorjahan Akbar. The 21-year-old Akbar has been leading a fight for women's rights in Afghanistan—and she's quite familiar with seeing women in her region get targeted for “crimes” such as seeking an education, refusing a forced marriage, or fleeing an abusive husband.

PAKISTAN: Drive Planned to Curb Violence Against Women

While presiding over a meeting of civil society organisations' representatives on Thursday, NCWS Chairperson Anis Haroon urged people from all walks of life and age groups to join their counterparts across the globe by launching the campaign in Karachi on Dec 2.

BANGLADESH: Violence Against Women Persists in Bangladesh

Police statistics and assessments by non-government organisations (NGOs) working to establish women's rights show that there is in an increasing trend in VAW.

SYRIA: U.N. Turns the Spotlight on Syria, Sexual Violence

In addition to the 123 heads of state who will meet for the Sept. 25-Oct. 1 annual gathering of U.N. members starting here today, hundreds of activists and observers will also be on hand to hold their own parallel discussions and forums.

SOMALIA: Burqa Refusal Led to Death Threats

A 22-year-old Somali woman who says she was forced to flee her home country after being threatened by the al-Shabaab militant group for refusing to wear a burqa, has taken the Home Affairs minister and refugee officials to the Western Cape High Court in a bid to secure refugee status and asylum.

The woman, Naemo Gaal, says that if she is deported to Somalia, there is a risk that she would be persecuted.

BOSNIA: Documentary Finds Little Rape Justice in Bosnia

Time has passed, but justice has not moved forward.

Between 1992 and 1995, tens of thousands of women were raped during the Bosnian and Herzegovina War. Some women faced daily assaults and were held captive for weeks or months.

For the rest of their lives these survivors have little hope of escaping their pains as justice crawls at such a snail's pace it might as well stand still.

INTERNATIONAL: A Closer Look at Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

The first part of the report focuses on ‘'the impact of wartime sexual violence on adults, as well as children, and details some surprising revelations about the impact of war on educational systems,'' states the report.

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