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 >>

INDONESIA: Yogyakarta Group Lends A Hand To Abused Women

Being well educated or financially independent does not always come with red carpet treatment for women. Some still fall victim to domestic abuse.

The gloomy observation came from Rifka Annisa, a nonprofit organization which has assisted abused women since it started offering counseling to women and housewives in Yogyakarta in 1993.

KENYA: Women Tell of Gang-Rape During Wagalla Massacre

More women came out yesterday to testify before the TJRC on how officers involved in the bloody Wagalla Massacre gang raped them. Halima Abdille refused to testify behind closed doors and insisted on giving her testimony in the public hearing. "Personally I was raped by seven officers repeatedly. They inserted gun butts in my private parts and I have endured a lot of suffering to date.

PAKISTAN: Pakistan Top Court Upholds Acquittals in Notorious Rape Case

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday upheld the acquittal of five of the six men accused in the gang rape of Mukhtar Mai, the resilient woman who had gained international recognition and emerged as a symbol of the voiceless and oppressed women in the country.

SRI LANKA: Evidence of Ongoing Repression and Abuse

Two years on from the end of the devastating 26-year civil war that ripped Sri Lanka apart, Channel 4 News has obtained rare footage from inside the country's northern corner, formerly the Tamil stronghold.

ZAMBIA: Zambia, UNHCR Reiterate Commitment To Empower Women Refugees

The Zambian government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have reiterated their commitment to empowering refugee women and girls living at THE Maheba and Mayukwayukwa refugee camps in Zambia.

INTERNATIONAL: Social Media Campaign to Take-on Domestic Abusers

The fight against domestic violence and abuse relies heavily on education, and what's best to educate people around the world than a new campaign combining animation and humour? That is the bet made by Firdaus Kharas, Chairman of Chocolate Moose Media and Culture Shift, a social media enterprise specialising in multimedia development activities.

KASHMIR: 4,000 Cases of Violence Against Women Filed With SCW in J&K

As many as 4,000 cases of violence against women have been registered by Jammu and Kashmir State Commission for Women (JKSCW), a senior official today said.

"After inception of the Commission in the state, around 4,000 cases of violence against women were registered by it in Jammu and Kashmir", Secretary JKSCW Hafeeza Muzaffar said, adding, out of those 1,500 cases were settled amicably.

PERU: Local Gov'ts Fail to Prioritise Equality for Women

Legally, each of Peru's 25 administrative regions must have a plan for promoting equal opportunities for women. But over the last year, only 10 regions have actually allocated resources to the task of overcoming gender inequity, while another 10 have not even drawn up the compulsory equal opportunities plan.

TURKEY: Turkey Grapples with Spike in 'Honor' Killings

A drastic rise in reported "honor" killings and fatal domestic violence in Turkey has sparked a vigorous debate about the government's recent attempts to address the problem. It also highlights the clash of conservative values with the country's rapid modernization.

Pages