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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DRC: WMA Calls for Inquiry into Congo Rapes

The World Medical Association today added its support to worldwide calls for an immediate inquiry into allegations that more than 700 women, men and children were raped when Angola recently expelled thousands of people back to the Democratic Republic of Congo. These atrocities add to the widespread and systematic nature of rape and other human rights violations in the Congo by rebels.

RWANDA: Minister Rallies Community Support in Fighting GBV

The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Dr Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya, on Thursday, launched "16 days of activism" in Gisagara District, calling for more efforts from the community in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV).

The international event is celebrated annually to create awareness against gender-based violence.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Peace-Building, Protocols and Policy - Women and Conflict in the Region

This year's 16 Days of Activism campaign focuses on women and conflict, a timely theme considering we are also reviewing 10 years since the adoption of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325.

This resolution linked violence against women during conflict and their marginalisation during peace processes with the challenges of maintaining international peace and security.

RWANDA: GBV Cases On the Decline

Joint efforts by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, the National Police and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV) are bearing fruit with the number of cases drastically going down.

DRC: No More Rape (opinion)

I have been back in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for two weeks now meeting with leaders, activists, social workers, therapists, recent survivors, business owners, UN officials. There is good news and bad news. The bad news is that the situation on the ground remains the same if not worse.

AFRICA: African Woman: Raped from Cairo to Cape

All the way from North to Southern Africa rapists prowl the continent's fields for their next victims. And it is of course women who bear the deepest scars from Africa's wars.

The statistics out of the continent have never been more appalling. From Cairo to Cape, the continent's daughters continue to face gruesome sexual attacks from their male peers.

INDONESIA: Domestic Violence Continues Amid Calls for its Elimination

Amid incessant campaigns to end violence against women, the abuse of women continues right in front of our eyes.

Just one day before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25, Septi, a housewife from Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, was reportedly dragged behind a motorcycle because the tea she made for her husband wasn't sweet enough.

INTERNATIONAL: Engaging Men, Boys in Eliminating Violence Against Women

Ending violence against women is not the work of a day or even a year. It will require concentrated efforts on many fronts with governments, non-profit organisations, and citizen leaders all pulling together.

Most importantly, it will require fully tapping the largest and most natural group of allies women have: men.

SOUTH AFRICA: 1 in 3 South African Men Admit to Rape

A new survey says more than one in three South African men admit to having committed rape.

A 2010 study led by the government-funded Medical Research Foundation says that in Gauteng province, home to South Africa's most populous city of Johannesburg, more than 37 percent of men said they had raped a woman. Nearly 7 percent of the 487 men surveyed said they had participated in a gang rape.

KURDISTAN: Kurdistan Takes Measures Against Gender-Based Violence

As Kurdistan is fast progressing, becoming democratized and westernized, it faces serious difficulties with its conservative culture that has subjected women to painful and deadly rituals including honor killing. Barham Salih, prime minister of Kurdistan, promised on Thursday to put the issue of women first in his government's policies and eliminate violence against women, who constitute more than half of the Kurdish society.

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