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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SYRIA: Rape in Syria: a weapon of war or instrument of terror?

In Syria, rape is being used by armed groups as a means to an end. In this context, reports have emerged detailing the use of sexual violence by Syrian armed forces and paramilitaries loyal to Assad.

INDONESIA: Combating Human Trafficking in Indonesia

To bring attention to the intolerable trade, “Never Again!” recounts the stories of several victims and illustrates the harsh realities of trafficking in persons, with relation to labour migration. One of the accounts chronicles the personal experience of Memey, a 28-year old former Indonesian migrant worker who was sold to traffickers in Malaysia in 2006.

INDONESIA: Indonesia is a 'Dangerous Place' to be a Woman: Poll

That put Indonesia lower than South Africa and Mexico, and just above Saudi Arabia and India.

The poll of 370 gender specialists, conducted by TrustLaw, a legal news service run by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, found that policies promoting gender equality, safeguards against violence and exploitation and access to health care made Canada the best place to be a woman among the G20 nations.

OCEANIA: People Trafficking and Australia: Why Sex-Trafficking Victims are Human Too

Project Respect, which provides support for victims of trafficking, estimates that at any given time there are around 1000 trafficking victims in Australia with approximately 300 brought into the country every year. It has been suggested that the mining boom has increased demand for sex workers in Australia and this may increase the incentives for traffickers.

SUDAN: The Call Of Sudanese Women Human Rights Defenders

Tahany Hassan, a 17-year-old high school female student was shot in the head and killed on 31 July by the Sudanese police in Nayala, South Darfur. She and hundreds of high school students were protesting the big increase in transportation fees, which means that most of them will not be able to go to school any more.

KOSOVO: Global Open Day on Women, Peace and Security in Kosovo

On September 12, the United Nations Kosovo Team (UNKT) at the Swiss Diamond hotel in Pristina, collaborated with the European Union and Kosovo women's leaders and advocates in organizing this event.

KENYA: Coast Region Conflicts Threaten Achievement of 'Vision 2030'

With the emergence of conflicts following the 2007 post election violence, it is unlikely that Kenya will attain the cherished vision 2030.

But with the involvement of women countrywide, cases of insecurity could be minimized as happened in northern Kenya recently, since women understand what peace is all about than men counterparts.

INTERNATIONAL: UN: Set Plan for Women, Children With Disabilities

The challenges facing women and children with disabilities are the focus of the annual Conference of States Parties for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, scheduled for September 12 to 14, 2012. The convention requires specific protections from discrimination for women and children with disabilities, reflecting their vulnerability to abuses.

IRAQ: Women Organization Helped Bring Down Trafficking Chain in Iraq

Security forces in Iraq have arrested Eman ”Dakhiliya”, who run one of the worse trafficking chains in Baghdad. Her criminal network, involved in sexual slavery, has also been dispersed. This is a huge victory for the Organisation of Women's Freedom in Iraq, OWFI, who has campained against her for a long time.

MEXICO: Teen's Brothel Escape Triggers Mexico Clampdown

They were only 14 years old, cousins from a small town in central Mexico, when a fun trip to the local fair turned into a nightmare of drugs and forced prostitution.

As Maria and Lupe - CNN has changed their names to protect their identities - were waiting by the highway for their early evening bus home, they say a semi-tractor trailer stopped right in front of them and two men got out.

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