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: United Nations Committee Decries Rise in Violence Against Women

New York, US - The Vice-Chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Ms. Xiaoqaio Zou, has decried the rise in discrimination and violence against women. 'Despite progress in the realization of women's rights across the world, challenges remain.

CARIBBEAN: Region Joins UN Campaign to End Violence Against Women

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today encouraged everyone in the Caribbean to get involved in the quest to end violence against women – a scourge which affects one in every three women in the region during her lifetime.

FIJI: All Suffer When Woman Suffers

TENSION exists in every community but the role of men and women in conflicts must be analysed separately, says a gender and conflict advisor.

Addressing participants at a regional training on eliminating violence against women yesterday, Office of the Commissioner of Human Rights representative Indai Sajor said despite the cause of conflict, the impacts of violence on men and women varied.

MARSHALL ISLANDS: Marshall Islands' WUTMI Receives UN Grant for Project to Protect Women and Girls

The United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund) announced Wednesday awards of US$10 million in grants to 13 initiatives in 18 countries. The grants complete the UN Trust Fund's 14th grant-making cycle of 2009, delivering a total of US$20.5 million for 26 projects in 33 countries and territories.

UGANDA: Tale of Forced Marriage to Al-Shabaab

Amina Ahmed's letter, typed out in English by a fellow refugee, tells of rape, forced marriage and even beheading of women at the hands of the Islamist militiamen who have overrun much of their country.

"I was living with my aunt in Afgooye District of the lower Shabelle region when [a] warlord assaulted our home as a reason to marry me by force."

SOMALIA: Somalian Women Subjected to Rape, Forced Marriage and even Beheading

Since rival clans overthrew the government in Somalia in 1991, the country has been in the grip of a vicious civil war.

The anarchy has allowed various militia to emerge, none more feared than the religiously-motivated al-Shabaab, which now controls large areas of southern and central Somalia, as well as the capital Mogadishu.

SUDAN: Southern Sudan – Aid Agencies Study Highlights 'Unreported' Gender Based Violence

If there is one group that faces special challenges in Southern Sudan, it is women.

Principal among them is gender-based violence, which is under-reported and spreading given the long history of conflict, certain traditional practices and weak judicial systems, IRIN reports.

After 21 years of war, there is little accurate information on Southern Sudan.

DRC: UN Helps Seize Rebel Leader Presumed Responsible for Mass Rape

United Nations peacekeepers and Government forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) today seized one of the rebel leaders suspected of being behind the mass rape of more than 300 civilians two months ago in the country's east.

UGANDA: Food Security Response to HIV and Gender-base Violence in Northern Uganda

The fertile northern region of Uganda was known for many years as one of the granaries of the country, consistently producing surpluses for local and international food markets. But two decades of civil conflict between the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have left the Acholi and Lango sub-regions destitute.

PAKISTAN: Exploring Ways to End Gender-based Violence

Steps should be taken to explore opportunities making police more responsible and responsive towards gender-based violence, said experts in inaugural session of a regional conference organised by Rozan in collaboration with Ministry for Human Rights and Islamabad police the other day.

The moot was titled ‘21st Century and policing in South Asia, Response towards Gender Based Violence: Challenges and Prospects'.

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