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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PAKISTAN: Women's Caravan for Ending Gender Discrimination

The caravan has been organised by ActionAid Pakistan and PODA (Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy) to mark nearly one year on from the devastating floods which swept the country in 2010. Women from different flood hit areas of Pakistan including Sindh, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and South Punjab gathered in the capital on Tuesday to rally public and media support for the cause of poor women affected heavily by the unprecedented floods.

AFGHANISTAN: Taliban Kill Head of Afghan Girls' School

Taliban gunmen have killed the headteacher of a girls' school near the Afghan capital after he ignored warnings to stop teaching girls, government officials have said.

Khan Mohammad, the head of the Porak girls' school in Logar province, was shot dead near his home on Tuesday, said Deen Mohammad Darwish, a spokesman for the Logar governor.

"He was killed because he wanted to run the school," Darwish said.

INTERNATIONAL: Aung San Suu Kyi Condemns Rape in Conflicts

Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has condemned the use of rape as a weapon of terror in conflicts.

INTERNATIONAL: A Woman's Guide to Survival in a War Zone

It is a dusty but relatively cool Saturday afternoon in the Qatari capital of Doha when I meet Rosie Garthwaite at the headquarters of Al Jazeera English. The news studio where she works as an output producer for the Qatari-owned international news network is half empty after a long, feverish Friday.

PAKISTAN: Pakistani Activist to Chat with VOA on Twitter


Pakistani human rights crusader Mukhtar Mai gained international attention in 2002 after she challenged entrenched gender and socio-economic stereotypes in her country, suing the men who gang-raped her on the orders of a village council.

IRAQ: Feminists Attacked in Pro-Democracy Rally in Baghdad

On June 13, four women participating in a democracy demonstration at Tahrir Square in Baghdad were molested and beaten allegedly by government sponsored protestors, according to a report on Ms. Magazine's Website.

The four women were part of a 25-woman group from the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq, a leading feminist group in the country, which participated in the demonstration.

SRI LANKA: Women Going as Domestic Aides Abroad to be Further Restricted

Within the next three years, the minimum age of Sri Lankan women seeking employment as domestic workers aboard will be increased to 30, Foreign Employment Welfare Minister Dilan Perera said today.

He said this would be the first step in bringing about a complete freeze on Sri Lankan women going abroad for employment as domestic aides.

INTERNATIONAL/CANADA: Nobel Laureates Gather in Quebec to Campaign Against Rape

It is a crime that is perpetrated against the most vulnerable members of the world's most broken societies – one that destroys the lives of its victims and rips apart the fabric of communities.

SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka Plans to Deter Unskilled Migration

The abuse and exploitation of unskilled migrants from South Asian countries such as Sri Lanka has long been considered one of the darker sides of the Middle East.

In recent years, several cases of such abuse have made world headlines, with human rights organisations claiming that Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and Dubai are not doing enough to protect foreign workers from their employers.

PAKISTAN: Pakistan Christian Women Kidnapped, Raped

Pakistani Christians have expressed concerns about renewed kidnappings and abuse of women and girls by Muslims in a country still reeling from the recent assassination of a Christian government minister.

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