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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INTERNATIONAL: When Rape is a Tool of War

The raw courage demonstrated by Eman al-Obeidy in persisting in telling her story of alleged repeated gang rape and torture in Libya is helping to change the dialogue in Libya and the Middle East about the use of sexual violence as a weapon of repression.

COTE D'IVOIRE: In Ivory Coast, When Conflict Starts Women Become Targets

Beatrice's small voice comes from a corner of a big tent in Bahn camp that is crammed with at least 100 refugee women and girls. More than 100,000 Ivorians have fled to Liberia in recent months – to escape the violence tearing across their country and, like these women, from rape.

SOUTH-EAST ASIA / OCEANIA: 43 Countries Agree On Battle Against Human Trafficking

Foreign ministers of 43 countries have agreed on a regional framework to fight human trafficking in the Asia-Pacific region.

The framework was a significant step even though it was non-binding, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, because it took into consideration the interests of the victims' countries of origin, transit and destination, the Jakarta Globe newspaper reported.

UNITED STATES: Sexual Assault of American Women Soldiers on the Rise

In a bid to address sexual crimes within the American defence forces more effectively, the United States Air Force will release a survey later this week in which it states that one in five women have been sexually assaulted since joining the military service.

The survey conducted by Gallup, interviewed 18,834 male and female airmen between July and August 2010 and had a response rate of nearly 19 percent.

NORTH AFRICA/LIBYA: Libya Proves that War Still Means Mass Rape

You can read about it in the Bible, and it remains true to our very day. Rape is an integral part of war, a favored tactic to demoralize an enemy army or population.

HAITI: An Epidemic of Rape for Haiti's Displaced

Life after Haiti's earthquake has been especially difficult and dangerous for displaced women and girls. In addition to the ongoing crises of homelessness and cholera, a chronic emergency of sexual violence prevails in the settlements where hundreds of thousands still live, well over a year after the disaster.

COLOMBIA: Women Treated as Spoils of War in Colombia: NGOs

Colombian NGOs have condemned the "high level" of violence against black, indigenous and poor women in a country where the female body has become a "battleground", W Radio reported Friday.

This was the message from the first presentation of the Support and Defense of Women's Human Rights in Colombia Round Table.

UNITED STATES: Rape and the Culture of Impunity: Despite Proclamations, White House Remains Silent About Rape in the Military

Last week the U.S. Office of Civil Rights (OCR) announced that it was investigating a Title IX complaint filed by 16 former and current Yale students: 12 female and 4 male students.

DRC: Researcher Searches for Ways to Prevent Rape in the Congo

Congolese men and women have different views on sexual violence said Jocelyn Kelly, research coordinator for the Women in War program at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative who presented research at Simmons March 29.

Kelly recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she investigated genesis, patterns, effects, mitigating and preventative factors around sexual violence.

NAMIBIA: Students Take Action to End Gender Violence on Campus

University of Namibia students are participating in a range of activities to create awareness on the need to stamp out gender-based violence after research showed that the problem - which has become an acknowledged social challenge in the country - exists at their institution.

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