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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UNITED STATES: 17 Victims Sue Pentagon Over 'Plague' of Sexual Violence

It may become a landmark case to force the military to take rape and sexual assault seriously. Or it could be yet another failed attempt in a decades-long battle by women to be accepted in the armed forces.

Seventeen veterans and active-duty service members today took the first step to determining that, suing the Pentagon on charges of violating their constitutional rights to serve their country.

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Women's Shelter Advocates Call for International Solidarity

This morning, leading women's rights activists reiterated their position that the Afghan government's impending takeover of women's shelters will be a human rights disaster and stressed the need for international solidarity and diplomatic support for their cause. UN Dispatch was there.

The activists' main points:

UNITED STATES: Lawsuit Says Military Tolerates Rape, Assault

A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday charges the Defense Department with responsibility for rape and sexual assault in the ranks by failing to investigate the sex crimes, failing to prosecute the perpetrators and maintaining a weak judicial system.

INTERNATIONAL: Female War Reporters Under Sexual Attack Overseas - All The Time

This post was written by Judith Matloff, a board member of the International News Safety Institute and adjunct professor at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, where she teaches a course on conflict reporting .

EGYPT: Egypt's Harassed Women Need their Own Revolution

Several months before the revolution, I wrote a piece for CNN.com on the sexual harassment of women in Cairo.

News of the chilling attack on CBS reporter Lara Logan, as well as other sexual assaults against women during Egypt's uprising, show that attacks against women have not gone away.

INTERNATIONAL: UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women Announces Additional US$10 Million in Grants to Fund Grassroots Efforts to Protect Women & Girls

The United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund) today announced US$10 million in grants to 13 initiatives in 18 countries. The grants complete the UN Trust Fund's 14th grant-making cycle of 2009, delivering a total of US$20.5 million for 26 projects in 33 countries and territories. Belarus, the Marshall Islands and Sri Lanka are first-time grant recipients of the UN Trust Fund.

AFRICA: Insult To Injury: Women Refugees and The Stigma of Rape

The road to safety does not always guarantee deliverance, especially not for many women refugees fleeing conflict in the Horn of Africa.

Increasing cases of sexual abuse against women refugees en route to sanctuary in Egypt and Israel have raised concerns about providing victims with proper mental health care to survive not only the psychological remnants of rape, but also the resultant stigma.

AFRICA: Ban Ki Moon Calls For End To Sexual Violence

Stressing that sexual violence thrives on silence and impunity, UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon, yesterday in Addis Ababa called on world leaders to speak out against the horrors of rape and sexual violence that are usually termed “unspeakable”.

PAKISTAN: Violence Against Women Remains High in Pakistan

Physical torture, abuse, forced abductions, sexual harassment, forced marriages, and other brutal practices are everyday events in the Islamic republic of Pakistan. Women in Pakistan still face daunting hardships in the male-dominated society. Although seemingly every other day the government announces plans to secure the rights of women — it has been of no use.

SOUTH AFRICA: Digital Rape Campaign Reaches South Africa's Top Leaders

More than a year before Ndumie Funda was finally able to get on the internet, she set up a women's shelter in her home for lesbians who have come under the most vicious attacks in the country.

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