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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HAITI: Women "More Protected" to Report Sexual Violence

Shockingly high levels of violence against women in Haiti forced the U.N. to send peacekeepers to the Caribbean country in 2004.

The country while not in a state of war is one of the world's most unstable. Kidnappings, criminal violence, gang warfare and violent armed confrontation with the U.N. Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) has increased the number of reported cases of sexual violence against women and girls.

SIERRA LEONE: "Illiteracy, Poverty Challenges to Gender Violence", says Gender Desk Officer

Gender desk officer of the ministry of social welfare, gender and children's affairs in the southern region said illiteracy and poverty are challenges to ending gender violence.

Alice Jeneba Koroma disclosed yesterday to Concord Times that many women choose to stay with husbands who abuse them, even though violence against women is against the law and a violation of human rights.

GUATEMALA: Guatemala's 'Femicide' Crisis

A white sheet covers another victim of Guatemala City's violence in District 16.

Jocelyn was shot dead while walking home. She was only 17-years-old. Her family has no idea why she was killed.

Her murder, like so many others in this country, will probably remain unpunished.

The savage methods being used by street gangs in their fight against each other are now being used against women.

PARAGUAY: NGO Offers Girls a Way Out of Sexual Exploitation

Claudia was 13 years old when she came to the capital of Paraguay from her small rural town. Just a few weeks after her arrival she was wandering the streets of downtown Asunción, a victim of sexual exploitation.

DRC: Congo Report Shows Rape is Widespread

Sexual violence has become increasingly pervasive in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where civilian rape has risen 17-fold in the past few years, says a report released today by Oxfam.

HONDURAS: Escalating Sexual Aggression Against Women Protesting Military Coup

Global & national media are ignoring the growing intensity of sexual aggression and torture of women demonstrators in Honduras after the military coup d'etat & and violent repression, according to Honduran feminists and activists.

GUATEMALA: One Arrest in Gender-Killing Epidemic

"Femicide," or gender-based murder, has reached epidemic proportions in Guatemala. But at least for Rosmery González - one of the more than 700 Guatemalan victims of this crime in 2008 - justice is finally being done with the arrest of her alleged killer earlier this month.

SIERRA LEONE: Despite Guilty Verdicts Today, Impunity is Still the Rule

The judgment issued today by the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) finding three senior members of Sierra Leone's Revolutionary United Front (RUF) guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including rape and other sexual crimes, is a positive, but still insufficient, step in the fight against impunity in that country, said Amnesty International.

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