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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OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES: Little Recourse for Victims of Gender-Based

Gender-based violence in the occupied Palestinian territory remains at epidemic levels, according to UN agencies, local NGOs and women, while victims lack legal recourse and often face a family backlash for reporting crimes.

UNITED STATES: Tribal Leaders Prepare to Meet with UN Special Rapporteur

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) will host a United Nations expert this week who is studying why Native women face the highest rates of sexual and physical assault of any group in the United States.

DRC: DRC Called to Task on Mass Rapes

The Democratic Republic of Congo needs to control sexual violence despite the arrest of a rebel leader tied to mass rapes, the British government said.

French authorities acting on an arrest warrant issued in September by the International Criminal Court transferred alleged Rwandan rebel leader Callixte Mbarushimana to the ICC detention center in The Hague.

DRC: UN Reports More Alleged Rapes, Bringing Total to 120 Since Start of Year

United Nations officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) today reported another 53 alleged cases of rape in the conflict-rife eastern part of the country, bringing to 120 those reported since the beginning of the year and attributed to all sides, including the national army.

DRC: Armed Men Rape 60

Armed men raped 60 people in eastern Congo in the last 10 days, the latest in a spate of mass sexual attacks in the region, the United Nations said Friday. Charline Burton, a United Nations spokeswoman, said it was not clear who carried out the attacks in the Fizi area of South Kivu Province from Jan. 19 to Jan. 21.

DRC: Civilians Bearing Brunt of Increased Violence in Eastern Congo

The international emergency medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has provided specialised care to 53 women, men and children who were raped in a series of incidents that occurred between 19th January and 21st January in South Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

RWANDA: Rwandan Rebel Leader Wanted for Alleged Crimes in DR Congo Sent to ICC

Callixte Mbarushimana, a Rwandan rebel leader accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was surrendered and transferred today to the International Criminal Court (ICC), a move welcomed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

DRC: Authorities Arrest Army Commander Linked to Alleged Rapes, UN Reports

The authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have arrested the commander of national army soldiers who allegedly went on a rape and looting spree on New Year's Day in the eastern part of the country, the United Nations peacekeeping mission said today.

COTE D'IVOIRE: UN Envoy Urges Protection From Sexual Violence Amid Côte d'Ivoire Crisis

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the employment of sexual violence as a means to political ends. From preliminary information, it seems that the assaults follow carefully selected political targeting,” Margot Wallström said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

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