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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INDONESIA: Goverment Can Play 'Critical Role' In Protecting Women

Parliamentarians play a critical role in curbing violence against women, a UN official says.

Kiran Bhatia, a regional adviser on gender at the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) Asia and the Pacific regional office, said Saturday that parliamentarians could introduce new policies and support initiatives to protect women, as well as amend outdated laws that were discriminatory to women.

IRAQ: Iraqi Women Come Together Fighting Violence Against Women

The Ministry of State for Women Affairs agreed on Thursday with the Ministries of Health, Labor and Interior and the United Nations Fund for Population, as well as civil society organizations to implement the qualitative social program to combat violence against women.

COLOMBIA: Gender Violence a Crime Against Humanity: Prosecutor General

Prosecutor General Viviane Morales has said that gender violence occurring in the context of Colombia's internal conflict constitutes a crime against humanity.

Morales made this announcement during the third international conference on the Judicial Challenges Faced Regarding Crimes of Sexual Violence, the Office of the Prosecutor General reported Thursday.

KURDISTAN: Women's Rights in Iraqi Kurdistan: Time for a Rethink

ERBIL-Hewlêr, Kurdistan region 'Iraq', — Upon first glance, much has improved for women in northern Iraq: almost a third of parliamentarians in Iraqi Kurdistan are female. But the number of honour killings and self-immolations is still high. Mona Naggar reports from Erbil.

AFRICA: Open Session On Sexual Violence, Women And Children In Armed Conflicts

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) will hold an open session on “Women and Children in Armed Conflicts” on Monday, 28 March 2011 at the Headquarters of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

PHILIPPINES: Laws Protecting Women Bring Down Abuse Cases

The Philippine National Police (PNP) women's desk here has noted a dwindling number of cases of violation against women with the passage of stricter laws that protect women and punish the offenders.

PO3 Edna Ulep, head of the Laoag City PNP Women's Desk, said only three cases of domestic violence were filed in court since January this year noting that the low case turnout was due to harsher laws that protect women's rights.

KASHMIR: Impunity for Killers of Women in Strife-torn Kashmir

Fracha Begam has been unable to come to terms with the deaths of her two teenage daughters, killed by unknown gunmen in the latest incident of violence against women in the Kashmir Valley.

"I want to know what crime my daughters had committed which warranted their brutal killing," Begam demanded.

MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA: Women Must Continue to Move the Battlefront

At this juncture in human history, women and girls who have lived under some of the most repressive regimes might be afforded the window of opportunity to be released from traditions that have robbed them of the ability to develop to their fullest potential.

In the CNN-ised global village, we all stood in awe and disbelief when we viewed the dramatic political and social changes that taking place in North Africa and the Middle East.

NEPAL: Women Workers Face Harassments

Nepali women migrant workers (WMWs) are more vulnerable to overseas job-related risks than men because of their poor access to skill trainings and job information. Around 22 per cent women are facing harassment in workplace, said Manju Gurung, president of Paurakhi, a non-governmental organisation working for safe migration.

NEPAL: UN Human Rights Office Urges Nepal to End all Forms of Discrimination

The United Nations human rights office and the national commission on caste-based discrimination in Nepal have urged the Government to fulfil its stated commitment to end all forms of discrimination, saying the problem was widespread and a cause of conflict in the Asian country.

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