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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BURMA: Burma's Poll Called 'Yes Vote' for Junta Rapes

Last week's election victory by the junta-backed party in Burma is a setback for Charm Tong's work against military rape in the country, also known as Myanmar. Tong says that like her idol Aung San Suu Kyi, she will keep working.

NEW DELHI, India (WOMENSENEWS)-- The victory of the junta-backed party in the Nov. 7 elections for Burma--which the military government calls Myanmar--comes as no surprise to Charm Tong.

ASIA: Asian Legislators Pledge to Eliminate Violence Against Women

Ministers and parliamentarians from 19 countries in Asia-Pacific have agreed on 'Whole-of-Government Approaches' for the promotion and advancement of actions and legislation on the elimination of violence against women.

ANGOLA: UN Slams Rapes in Angola Expulsions

A special UN representative on Saturday condemned alleged rapes of women deported from Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and demanded an investigation.

"I call upon the authorities of both countries to investigate these allegations," said Margot Wallstroem, the secretary-general's special representative for sexual violence in conflict.

INTERNATIONAL: Sexual Violence is not "Collateral Damage"

On the tenth anniversary of a groundbreaking U.N. resolution, a conference on "Women and War" opened here Wednesday to discuss the disproportionate impact violent conflict has on women and possible ways to prevent these atrocities.

KURDISTAN: Mass Arrest of Women Marchers

Dozens of women were arrested en masse in Urfa during their march against gender-based violence and for the protection of women's rights.Women marchers had begun in Hakkari and were headed for Ankara, where they would meet up with the rest of their compatriots from Diyarbakır. Those in Hakkari had marched since Tuesday.

ASIA/PACIFIC: Asian Legislators Pledge to Eliminate Violence Against Women

Ministers and parliamentarians from 19 countries in Asia-Pacific have agreed on 'Whole-of-Government Approaches' for the promotion and advancement of actions and legislation on the elimination of violence against women.

DRC: UN Scrambles to Better Protect Civilians in Wake of Mass Rape

A woman working alone on her farm in a remote corner of eastern Congo is usually a worrisome sight. It's there, among her beans and potatoes, sorghum, cassava, or cabbage, that she is especially vulnerable to robbery, abduction, and rape – crimes committed throughout Congo's nearly 15 years of crippling violence.

DRC: Justice Needed in Congo, HRW says

World leaders are called on to support a mixed tribunal to prosecute human rights crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch said.

A U.N. human rights team determined that more than 300 civilians were raped in the Congo by militants July 30-Aug. 2. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in the area deflected criticism that it ignored warnings that surfaced days before the rapes occurred some 20 miles from their base.

ANGOLA/DRC: New Cases of Rape on Angola-DRC Border

The United Nations Office for the Coordiation of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is investigating reports that close to 700 women were raped along the DRC-Angola border since September. The rapes occurred as some 7,000 illegal immigrants were expelled from Angola to the DRC.

ANGOLA/DRC: UN Probes 770 Cases of Sexual Violence in Angolan Expulsions

The United Nations is investigating more than 770 alleged cases of sexual violence against people expelled by Angola to neighboring the Democratic Republic of Congo since September.

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