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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CAR: Expert Describes Trauma Among Sexual Violence Survivors as Witness Recounts Gang-Rape

The second week of the war crimes trial of former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba has seen an expert on gender crimes and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as a victim of rape by Mr. Bemba's soldiers, take the witness stand.

INTERNATIONAL: Violence Against Women - Missing Millennium Development Goal

"Tackling violence against women would address the gender dimensions of the Development Goals," says UN expert on violence against women

The following statement was issued by the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences, Ms. Rashida Manjoo, in the course of the campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence”

HONDURAS: Women's Rights Under Seige After Military Coup

4 women have been killed in protests/for participating in the resistance: Wendy Avila and Olga Osiris Ucles were both killed by tear gas soon after President Zelaya's entry into the Brazilian Embassy.
In February 2010, Vanesa Zepeda, a vocal unionist and participant in the anti-coup movement has recently been killed and dumped on the street dead, leaving young children.

NEPAL: Two Action Plans on the Cards

The government is formulating two action plans with an objective to address the woes of those women and children who were externally and internally displaced during the decade-long armed conflict.

The action plans are National Plan of Action for Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Conflict Affected Children, and NPA on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and 1820 on women peace and security.

AFGHANISTAN: Veiled Rebellion

Twenty-five years ago an Afghan girl with green eyes haunted the cover of National Geographic. She became the iconic image of Afghanistan's plight, a young refugee fleeing the war between the Soviet-backed communists and the American-backed mujahideen. Today the iconic image of Afghanistan is again a young woman—Bibi Aisha, whose husband slashed off her nose and ears as punishment for running away from him and his family.

NAMIBIA: GBV Remains Under-Reported

In Namibia, gender-based violence (GBV) has traditionally been regarded as a private matter and shrouded in a culture of silence. As a result, cases of GBV are under-reported because of shame, stigma and fear of retribution.
Unfortunately, the victims of GBV are mostly women and children.

MALAWI: Get Legislation Into the Hands of Those Who Need It

The gendered status of the HIV and AIDS pandemic is obvious when we look at countless statistics showing that more women than men are infected - and many more women than men bear the brunt of caring for those infected.

The link between gender-based violence and HIV and AIDS in southern Africa is also quite clear.

NEPAL: Improve Condition of Conflict-Hit Women: Rights Groups

Publishing a finding on sexual violence during the conflict period, Advocacy Forum and International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) have urged the government authorities to formulate programmes and policies to improve the conditions of conflict-hit women in Nepal.

ZIMBABWE: Gender-Based Violence: 'Zimbabwe Police Officers Forget Themselves'

Tasha Ncube* has no kind words for the police. Early last month, the 31-year-old mother of two was beaten several times by her husband over what she says were small arguments. This was the first time in a marriage that has gone for years without any such occurrence.

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