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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AFRICAN UNION: Trade in Human Beings Irks African Union

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has blacklisted five member states in EAC and IGAD regions for being the gateway for trafficking in persons (TIP) en route to ‘promised land' in southern Africa and Europe.

LIBYA/INTERNATIONAL: UN Officials Bicker over Claims Gaddafi Used Rape as a Weapon

Top United Nations officials are at loggerheads over whether rape is being used as a weapon in Libya, issuing contradictory statements and squabbling in a way that critics say is causing an unnecessary distraction as the war in the country rages on.

UGANDA: Women to Get Pepper Spray

Young women will be given pepper spray to fight off rapists, the state minister for youth and children, Ronald Kibuule, has said.

Kibule, 28, who took office early this week, said one of his top priorities would be the protection of women against sexual crimes. "It's my role as state minister for youth and children to ensure that the people under my ministry are safe. I will do whatever it takes to protect them."

LEBANON: Acitivists Criticize Absence of Women in New Cabinet

Feminists and activists criticized the absence of women in Prime Minister Najib Mikati's new Cabinet Monday.

At a time when women's issues have gained momentum in Lebanon, with the approval of several legal amendments toward women's rights, activists described the new Cabinet as a step back for gender equality.

NEPAL: UK minister to assess violence against women in Nepal visit

The UK Home Office Minister with responsibility for equality, Lynne Featherstone, is scheduled to arrive in the Capital for a three-day visit on Monday.

Issuing a press release here in Kathmandu on Sunday, the British Embassy in Nepal informed about her visit and said that it will be focused on how Nepal is tackling violence against women and other forms of discrimination.

INTERNATIONAL: Joan Smith: Rape is Part of Military Culture, a Secret Among Soldiers

Three months ago, a Libyan woman burst into a hotel in Tripoli and told foreign journalists she'd been gang-raped by Colonel Gaddafi's soldiers. TV crews filmed distressing scenes as Iman al-Obeidi was dragged away by Libyan security forces, despite attempts by reporters to prevent her abduction.

INTERNATIONAL: UN Official Stresses Need for Empowerment and Political Participation of Women

The head of the United Nation entity tasked with promoting gender equality today reiterated that economic empowerment of women, political participation, ending gender-based violence and raising women's involvement in post-conflict peacebuilding are the priorities of the body.

KASHMIR: 'Eye' on Kashmir Amid Reports of Sexual Violence: UN Official

A top UN official today said she is ''keeping an eye'' on Kashmir where some individual cases of sexual violence have been reported.

"We have some sort of spread reports more from individuals than a consistent reporting other than from the UN entities (in Kashmir)," Margot Wallstrom, the UN Secretary General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, told PTI.

AFGHANISTAN: Afghanistan Works to Stop Children Serving as Police

Afghanistan is making progress weeding out children from its police forces but is only starting to tackle persistent allegations of sexual abuse and may still have minors serving informally, U.N. officials said on Tuesday.

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