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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PALESTINE: Bedouin Women Hold Non-Violent Demo Against Razing of Villages

Around 700 Bedouin women held a protest in Jerusalem challenging the demolition of their villages by Israeli forces. They travelled to Jerusalem from the Negev desert in southern Israel, where they live in 'unrecognized' villages that have been razed multiple times since Israel was created in 1948.

UGANDA: Photo Exhibition Reviles Violence against Women

Pain, agony, anguish, torment described the recently concluded photo exhibition at the AU Summit and Nommo gallery. If there were ever any observers with misgivings about the ability of a picture to speak a thousand words, as the age-old adage goes, their doubts were assuaged by the power of the black and white pictures that carried heavy emotive messages.

DRC: Nearly 200 Women and Children Raped in Systematic Attack in Eastern DRC

As reports of nearly 200 women raped in a systematic attack emerge from Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Medical Foundation reflects on the use of rape as a weapon of war.

DRC: DR Congo - UN Reviewing Procedures to Better Protects Civilians After Rape

The United Nations special envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Monday condemned the recent incident of gang rape by members of armed groups in the east of the country, saying that the UN mission there was reviewing its procedures so that it can offer better protection to civilians.

DRC: Notes from a Young American in Congo: Rape Continues (Opinion)

A recent graduate from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Amy was volunteering as a rape crisis counselor in Chicago when she learned about the alarming levels of sexual violence in Congo. When Amy told family and friends that she wanted to relocate to the Democratic Republic of Congo, her cousin gave her the email address of Father Charles, a Catholic priest from the war-torn province of North Kivu.

SUDAN: Women's Groups Advocate for Rape Law Reform

Women's groups in Khartoum are working together to push for reform of north Sudan's criminal laws on rape and adultery. Despite all of the difficulties that they face, they are taking positive steps forward and using the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence to launch their campaign.

USA: Immigration Detainees at Risk of Sexual Abuse

The US government needs to strengthen its protection of people in immigration detention to prevent sexual abuse and to ensure justice for victims, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

UNITED STATES: Vows Help in Fight Against Congo Sexual Violence

The 24-page report, “Detained and at Risk: Sexual Abuse and Harassment in United States Immigration Detention,” describes documented incidents and allegations of abuse. It also discusses recent proposals by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address the issue. Human Rights Watch emphasized that the agency should make improvements swiftly to improve oversight of the entire detention system and ensure accountability.

DRC: DR Congo Militias Face War Crimes Charges Over Rape Spree

Leaders of militias that carried out mass rape in Democratic Republic of Congo will face war crimes charges, a UN conflict envoy said Tuesday.

Margot Wallstrom, special representative on the prevention of sexual violence in conflict, made a direct warning to the heads of militias and armed groups in the African nation where more widespread sexual attacks were reported in August.

CYPRUS: What is the State of Women's Rights in Cyprus?

Cyprus is a nation with a rich cultural history that stretches back over many centuries.Its modern history has been dominated by the territorial conflict between Turkey and Greece, and it is a unique nation, prosperous in some ways and challenged in others.

Girls and boys have equal access to education, and at higher education institutions,young women outperform men by number and by performance.

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