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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INTERNATIONAL: Not Out of Africa

Former Canadian diplomat Robert Fowler thinks Canada has lost its way in the world, rejecting grand Liberal era foreign policy in favour of narrow strategies.

Invited to address the Liberal Party of Canada's thinkers conference last weekend in Montreal, Fowler blasted the governing Tories for abandoning Africa.

HONDURAS: Obama: Stand up for Women's Rights in Honduras

Repercussions from this summer's coup in Honduras are far from over.

Continued political wrangling is bad enough for democracy there and across Latin America. What's worse is that the international community, including the Obama administration, is ignoring the widespread abuses of human rights in the coup's aftermath.

NIGERIA: Violence Against Women, Hindrance to Democracy - Activist

Gender-based discrimination and violence against women have been identified as Achilles' heel for women's participation in public spheres hence limit their participation in democratic experiment.

ANGOLA: Calls for Creation of Law Cracking Down on Gender Violence

The Head of Department of Family Policy Board of the Provincial Family and Women Promotion, Jose Laurindo, defended Friday here, the need of creating a law to crack down cases of domestic violence.

Jose Laurindo, who was speaking to Angop, believes that the existence of the regulation is the basis for disciplinary action and guide the families on the cases occurred.

ANGOLA: Women Leaders to Attend International Symposium Against Gender Violence

Angolan women leaders will attend from february 2 to 4 an international symposium under the motto "No Violence Against Woman" to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The meeting, to be addressed by angolan MPs Albertina Muxindo and Teresa Cohen dos Santos, will discuss issues related to woman traffic and sexual abuse.

HAITI: Haiti's Emergency Response Must Include Protection from Sexual Violence

Thousands of women living in temporary camps around Haiti are threatened by sexual violence and have inadequate protection from any authorities, Amnesty International said on Wednesday after concluding a three-week visit to the country.

UGANDA: Victims of Rape and Sexual Violence Denied Justice in Uganda

Amnesty International has urged the Ugandan authorities to provide support for women seeking justice for sexual and domestic violence in a new report highlighting the barriers faced by the victims.

I Can't Afford Justice – Violence against women in Uganda documents the economic and social obstacles to justice, including the costs of criminal investigations and discrimination by government officials.

KYRGYZSTAN: President of Kyrgyzstan Signs on to UNiTE Campaign

During a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Bishkek on 3 April, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kurmanbek Bakiev, signed on to the Secretary-General's UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, committing to make ending violence against women and girls in Kyrgyzstan a top priority.

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Women's Rights Advocate Suraya Pakzad among TIME's 2009 Top 100 People

TIME Magazine has recognized Afghan women's rights advocate Ms. Suraya Pakzad as one of its top 100 people in 2009. The international news magazine praised Ms. Pakzad, who founded the Voice of Women Organization (VWO) and works in close cooperation with UNIFEM Afghanistan, for her courageous and tireless work in providing Afghan women with shelter, counseling and job training, and raising awareness on gender-based violence in her country.

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