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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BURMA: International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women of Burma, Report Available

The Nobel Women's Initiative and the Women's League of Burma have launched the final report for the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women of Burma.

KENYA: In-Brief: Gang Rapes on the Rise in Kenya

Most cases of gender-based violence (GBV) reported to the Nairobi Gender Violence Recovery Centre between April 2009 and March 2010 occurred in the capital's city centre, according to the centre's annual report, which also recorded an increase in gang rapes.

INDIA: Rapes Show Extent of Prejudice Against India's North-East

Female migrants to Delhi from India's north-east are increasingly being subjected to sexual attacks made worse by police attitudes

SIERRA LEONE: Sexual Violence Against Female Students in Sierra Leone: We Can No Longer Be Silent

The term “sexual violence as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) is “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person's sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work.” Sexual violence against female students has become e

CHAD: Refugee Women in Chad Face High Levels of Rape Despite UN Presence

Darfuri refugee women and girls face high levels of rape and other violence on a daily basis both inside and outside refugee camps in eastern Chad, despite the presence of UN security forces, a new Amnesty International report revealed on Wednesday.

INTERNATIONAL: We Can Stop Rape as a Weapon of War

While some members of the last Commission have courted controversy with their employment, former Commissioner Margot Wallstrom has become the UN Special Representative on sexual violence in conflict on a recent stop to Brussels she spoke to Andy Carling.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Regional Consultation on the Africa UNiTE Campaign

Representatives of government ministries and national women's machineries from 14 countries in southern Africa, as well as regional economic communities, civil society organizations and UN agencies came together in Johannesburg, South Africa on 11-12 May for a regional consultation on the Africa UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, hosted by UNIFEM on behalf of the United Nations system.

DRC: UNICEF Needs $14 Million for DR Congo

The United Nations Children's Fund urgently needs $14 million to respond to the most urgent needs of children and women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a humanitarian update Tuesday, UNICEF says that armed conflict, violence against civilians, rape, forced recruitment of children into armed forces and major population movements continue to affect large areas of eastern DR Congo.

DRC: DR Congo Refugees Are Prey to Rape

Annie was seven months pregnant when she lost her baby because "at least six men in military uniform" raped her in the Republic of Congo, after fleeing conflict across the border.

Like many other refugees from tribal fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Annie had fled to the Likoula region in the north of the Congo Republic, where the population of Nyamoba village has doubled from 1,000 to 2,000.

UGANDA: Women Demand Answers and Action from ICC

With the first Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) under way in the Ugandan capital Kampala, women are crying out for justice for gender-based violence inflicted upon them during the civil conflict in the country's north.

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