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: Stop Rape Campaign Mobilizes Young Men in Pakistan

On the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, Rizwan Latif, a national UN Volunteer Outreach and Capacity Development Officer based in Islamabad, was sharing his work with young men and boys so that they can contribute to local efforts for the empowerment and protection of women in Pakistan.

INTERNATIONAL: Equality For Women A Distant Goal In The World

Egyptian women demanding equal rights on the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day were shoved by men who said they should go home where they belong. Congolese women asked their government to protect them from systematic rapes, and women in Croatia who lost their jobs accused the government of corruption.

PAKISTAN: Pakistani Women Move Beyond Traditional Roles

A visit to the Jalozai camp, originally established in 1980 for Afghans fleeing the Soviet invasion, gives an idea of how the fighting between the Pakistani Army and militants has affected families in the tribal areas of Pakistan.

PAKISTAN: Rape Victims Denied Justice in Pakistan

Rehana Yasmin thought the kindly women had come to help her after floods devastated her village. Instead they passed her on to two men -- who raped her at gunpoint.

The 19-year-old student said three women took her from her home in the central Pakistani district of Rajanpur last summer, saying aid was being distributed for flood victims and they would get her food.

NICARAGUA: Despite Laws, Endemic Sexual Abuse of Nicaraguan Teens

The Nicaraguan government is failing to tackle widespread rape and sexual abuse of teenage girls and provide adequate assistance to rape survivors in the Central American nation, a researcher at the rights group, Amnesty International, has said.

BURMA: Women Human Rights Defenders Are Tortured And Raped

The world must pay attention to the brave Burmese women whose struggle for human rights places their lives and health at risk. Civil Rights Defenders urges the international community not to reconsider its stance against the Burmese government until the human rights situation in the country is showing concrete improvements.

INDONESIA: More Gender Equality To Reduce Domestic Violence

Indonesian Minister for Women Empowerment and Children Protection Linda Agum Gumelar said on Tuesday that more active gender equality socialization will reduce violence against women and children.

GUATEMALA: Guatemala Must Act to Stop the Killing of Women

Amnesty International today urged the Guatemalan authorities to act to stop the high numbers of women being killed across the country and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, ahead of International Women's Day on 8 March.

EGYPT: Egyptian Women's Protest for Equal Rights Turns Violent

Hundreds of women take the streets of Cairo only to face men telling them to "go home where they belong".

A protest by hundreds of Egyptian women demanding an end to sexual harassment and equal rights has turned violent when men verbally abused and shoved the demonstrators.

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