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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SOUTHERN AFRICA: Hard Road to South Africa for Fans for Zimbabwe's refugees

Hundreds of young Zimbabweans trying to flee their country's tough regime arrive in South Africa every day as the nation prepares for thousands of football fans to descend for the World Cup.

DRC: News: World Congo Police Move to Combat Violence Against Women

There are signs of positive action to counter the culture of gender-based violence in Katanga province in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.

Perhaps the most significant step taken in recent months has been the creation of a new police unit to protect young women and girls, which was officially inaugurated in the provincial capital Lubumbashi on April 21.

LATIN AMERICA: Making Latin America's Cities Women-Friendly

"Violence against women is not only domestic, it also happens in the streets. Not having the right to feel safe in a city square or at a bus stop without someone bothering us, that's also violence."

This "discovery," as she called it, was described to IPS by Ofelia Retamoso, who lives in the east-central Argentine city of Rosario, 300 km northwest of Buenos Aires.

COLOMBIA: AP Volunteer Blasts Gun Violence Against Women at UN Session, March 15, 2010

A volunteer of the Advocacy Project (AP) has used the setting of a major UN meeting to denounce the horrific damage caused by gun violence against women and girls within families.

Speaking before diplomats at a panel event during the UN Commission on the Status of Women last week, Rebecca Gerome, 23, described her work as a peace fellow last summer with the Women's Peace Collective in the Colombian city of Cali:

AMERICAS: Organized Civil Society Holds Dialogue on Peace, Security and Cooperation in the Region with Top OAS Authorities

About 150 representatives of civil society organizations from the member countries of the Organization of American States ( OAS ) today participated in a dialogue with Heads of Delegation that will attend the 40th OAS General Assembly from June 6 to 8 in Lima.

SERBIA: Human Rights Activists Under Threat in Serbia

Human rights defenders are under attack in Serbia and the authorities are failing to protect them, Amnesty International said on Monday.

Over the past year women human rights activists have faced repeated attacks in the Serbian media including being threatened with lynching.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Women Raped During Bosnia and Herzegovina Conflict Still Waiting forJustice

Successive governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina have failed to provide justice for thousands of women and girls who were raped during the 1992-1995 war, Amnesty International said in a report published on Wednesday.

USA: Female Migrants Charge Sexual Abuse in Detention

In the wake of allegations that a male guard at a central Texas detention facility sexually assaulted female detainees on their way to being deported, immigrant advocacy groups say stronger oversight and accountability is urgently needed to prevent further abuse of female detainees.

NIGERIA: Soldiers Rape, Kill Women in Nigeria

Nigerian troops sent to keep peace in the country's troubled northern city of Jos have been accused of carrying out rape and killing of women, but the military has dismissed the allegations.

HAITI: Restoring Shelter from Violence

UNIFEM programmes in Haiti to assist survivors of gender-based violence received a boost from a recent donation of US $50,000 by OMEGA.

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