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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INTERNATIONAL: UN Report Sheds Light on Rape as Weapon of War

Sexual violence as a weapon of war and as an outcome of turmoil and disaster is inflicting a terrifying toll on women, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

"Women rarely wage war, but they too often suffer the worst of its consequences," the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said in its annual snapshot of the state of the world's population.

INTERNATIONAL: UN Women Boosted by the Award of Additional $10m Grant

The new super agency at the United Nations, called UN Women and combining four of the major women's agencies, is off to a good start with a new additional $10m grant initiative coming from the UN trust fund.

Assisting 18 nations with 13 separate initiatives to stop the spread of violence against women and girls worldwide, the UN Trust Fund aims to help local as well as national efforts.

INTERNATIONAL: Violence Against Women And Girls Now A Major Public Health Crisis, Say World Physicians

Violence against women and girls has become a worldwide institutionalised phenomenon and a major public health crisis, the World Medical Association has declared at its annual Assembly in Vancouver, Canada.

TAJIKISTAN: Domestic Violence Bill Stalled in Tajikistan

Women's rights activists in Tajikistan are exasperated at the failure to pass a law on domestic violence after many years of lobbying.

While the criminal code outlaws physical assault and injury in general, experts say the absence of specific protections and penalties for violence in the home undermines efforts to support victims.

INTERNATIONAL: Wallstrom Acts on Rapes; Fetal Pain Becomes Law

Margot Wallstrom, the U.N. special representative on sexual violence in conflict zones, appealed to the Security Council Oct. 15 to enact sanctions against the rebel leaders who were reportedly responsible for the mass gang rapes of up to 500 women in the Democratic Republic of Congo this summer.

AFRICA: African Women Church Leaders from Eastern and Southern Africa Meet to Tackle Gender-Based Violence and HIV/AIDS

From 5th to 7th October 2010, over seventy (70) African Women Church Leaders from 12 Countries of Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe together with their Finnish Partners from Helsinki Deaconesses Institute (HDI) met in Nairobi's Grace Guest House to reflect and deliberate on issues relating to African women, Culture, gender-based-violence, HIV and AIDS and

DRC: Congolese Rape Victims March Against Sexual Violence

Many of Congo's rape survivors took to the streets Sunday to speak out against sexual violence in a country where it has become a weapon of war.

"My heart is in pain, why are you raping me?" sang the rape victims, many of whom left hospital beds to join the march in eastern Congo.

EUROPE/CYPRUS: Press release: MIGS - End Sexual Violence Now

"On the occasion of the announcement of the five-year European Strategy for Gender Equality, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding recognized the need for a pan-European strategy to combat violence against women, including sexual violence that, according to the Council of Europe, affects more than one tenth of women living in Europe.

EAST AFRICA: Region Should Handle the Issue of Impunity Against the Vulnerable

It is refreshing to see that regional bodies are at the forefront of handling issues that have nagged the East African Community (EAC) like illegal exploitation of natural resources.

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), is a body that stands for peace, security, stability and development and boasts of a membership of 13 countries

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