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.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

UGANDA: Domestic Violence on the Increase in the Acholi Sub-Region

When the two-decade armed conflict that ravaged Acholi sub-region ended five years ago, women thought the worst was over. Together with their husbands and children, they jubilated. Little did they know that another warlord waited in their homes - domestic violence.

SOUTH ASIA: Violence Against Women Far From Over in South Asia

The speakers at a South Asian conference here on Thursday called for a collective struggle and structural reforms to end violence against women in all the countries in the region. The conference marked the shift in women's struggle against violence, where the silence against violence had been broken but redressing mechanism for survivors was yet to be evolved.

NEPAL: Impact of Small Arms on Gender

1. Facts:

Small arms:
Small Arms mean the weapons that a single and individual can carry and operate. For example revolvers, self loading pistols, rifles, carbines, assault rifles, sub machineguns, light machineguns and associated ammunitions[1]

HAITI: Only Emergency Response System Dedicated to Rape and Sexual Violence in Haiti Launches

In one year since CGI commitment, Digital Democracy has trained 150 women and built a database documenting over 400 cases of rape in Haiti. The only phone-based emergency response system dedicated to rape and sexual assault in Haiti has been designed, launched and tested by Digital Democracy (Dd) and KOFAVIV, the Commission for Women Victims for Victims.

EITHIOPIA: Violence Against Women On the Rise

As Ethiopian women's rights organisations struggle to stay afloat following government legislation that prohibits them from receiving international funding, violence against women continues to rise, writes Billene Seyoum Woldeyes. But in the absence of social and institutional support, where can victims of gender-based violence turn to for help?

INTERNATIONAL: Women: Leaders of Peace

Shreen Abdul Saroor has experienced war and forced displacement. She grew up surrounded by violence in Sri Lanka, where Tamil militants expelled Muslims from the north in 1990, forcing her family to escape their Mannar Island home.

She understands the costs of war and, in particular, the vulnerability of women.

AFRICA: 7 Questions - Africa Better on Gender Equality

Millennium Development Goal Three of the UN has put 2015 as deadline to eliminate gender inequality and empower women at all levels including education, health, employment, equal opportunity and dignity among others. Reports show that many African countries are still far from meeting the target.

HORN OF AFRICA: Women Must Be Central to Global Aid Efforts

A crisis of truly biblical proportions now faces the international community in the Horn of Africa. More than 12 million people — over half the population of Australia — are in need of urgent help because of famine and drought.

UGANDA: Former Child Soldiers and Rebel Wives Struggle to Reintegrate in Northern Uganda

On Sept. 9, 1990, 21 years ago, rebels from the Lord's Resistance Army, LRA, abducted Florence Amony from her home in Palenga, a village in northern Uganda, as she slept. She was just 13.

CHAD: Women Activists Say 'No' to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Chad

A brave mother, Hadjara Oumarou, sat under a tree with her estranged husband, Oumar Sidik, outside their local village courthouse here in Chad's Tandjilé District. Their 10-year-old daughter Amira (not her real name) sat between them.

Pages