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: Neither Rape Nor Bad Communication is Cultural - a Critical Look At Monusco's Press Conference

While recent events in the Democratic Republic of Congo have sparked international debate, at the UN, official declarations have lacked transparency.

In a press videoconference, UN Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of Congo Roger Meece spoke on behalf of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

DRC: U.N. Officials Say 500 Were Victims of Congo

Approximately 500 women were raped in eastern Congo in July and August, demonstrating that both rebel militias and government troops used sexual violence as a weapon, two senior United Nations officials said Tuesday.

DRC: UN Peacekeepers Failed DR Congo Rape Victims

UN troops failed the victims of mass rapes in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where more than 500 sex assaults have now been reported in the past month, a top UN peacekeeping official said Tuesday.

Atul Khare, under secretary general for peacekeeping operations, warned of a growing "culture of sexual violence" in the stricken region where rival groups are fighting for control of gold and mineral wealth.

UGANDA: Report Criticizes Endless Suffering of PWD in North

The global rights body, Human Rights Watch (HRW) together with local rights activists have expressed grave concern over government's handling of the ongoing discrimination and gender based-violence against women with disabilities in Northern Uganda.

NEPAL: One Rape Takes Place Every 24 Hours in Nepal: Police

If Nepal Police data is anything to go by, a rape is committed every 24 hours in the country. Blame it on the male dominated social structure and the culture of impunity , but rape statistics reveal an alarming trend.

SOMALIA: The Struggle of the Somali Women after the Civil War

Being mothers, sisters, daughters or even wives Somali women have been violated in many ways, their sons, husbands, brothers, fathers and uncles has been killed, some of them has been rapped, others faced different violence.

BANGLADESH: Asian Women Rights Groups Support War Crimes Trial

Representatives of several Asian rights and women groups yesterday expressed solidarity with Bangladesh initiatives to try 1971 perpetrators of crimes against humanity particularly against women.

They expressed the solidarity on the concluding day of a three-day international workshop in the city.

SOUTH AMERICA: VENEZUELA: UN Agency Provides Training to Help Combat Sexual Violence

A United Nations-backed project in Venezuela has trained dozens of government officials and security force members on how to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and provide better care and protection for victims.

DRC: With No Peace To Keep, Peacekeepers Told To Leave

UN investigators have accused a group of rebels of gang rape. Members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) committed the crime in late July in a small village in North Kivu province (eastern Congo). At least 200 FDLR rebels participated in a series of night-long assaults on women in the village.

DRC: Congo leaders: We Begged UN to Protect Civilians

Congolese community leaders say they begged local U.N. officials and army commanders to protect villagers days before rebels gang-raped scores of people, from a month-old baby boy to a 110-year-old great-great-grandmother.

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