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: Former EU Commission Vice President Wallström meets with UN Secretary-General Ban on her new appointment as Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict

Transcript of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's comments at a meeting with former European Commission Vice President Margot Wallström on her appointment as Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict

INTERNATIONALl: New UN envoy to coordinate efforts to end sexual violence in conflict

The newly appointed UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict, Margot Wallstrom says she has a lot to accomplish during her two-year mandate.

INTERNATIONAL: Margot Wallstrom: U.N. Special Representative on Sexual Violence in World Conflicts: Video

Newly appointed special representative for sexual violence in conflict Margot Wallstrom says sexual violence is not cultural but criminal and emphasizes that sex crimes are a human right's issue.


United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today (9 February) met with newly appointed Special Representative (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict Margot Wallström of Sweden.

INTERNATIONAL: Vital peace constituencies

Vital peace constituencies

February 18, 2010 – (Open Democracy) The last decade has seen much more detailed attention to the many, sometimes contradictory, roles women play in conflict situations. But women remain a vital peace constituency

INTERNATIONAL: U.N. to Focus on Global Epidemic of Gender

The statistics relating to the world's socially and economically-distressed women are staggering.

INTERNATIONAL: Migiro Warns That Economic Turmoil Has Exacerbated Violence Against Women

The scourge of violence against women has worsened as a result of the global financial downturn over the past year, Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro said today as she urged some of the world's richest countries to lead the way in turning the many international pledges to support women and girls into concrete results.

INTERNATIONAL: UN Security Council: A Victory for Women Caught in War

While the UN spent years debating, untold thousands of girls and women around the world have suffered ruined bodies and ruined lives.

INTERNATIONAL: The New UN Special Representative on Women in Armed Conflict Should Be a Woman

The United Nations Security Council on 30 September unanimously adopted Resolution 1888 mandating the Secretary General to appoint a Special Representative on women, peace and security.

INTERNATIONAL: Oslo Conference on Women, Peace and Security

More than 100 experts from women's organizations, UN agencies and government ministries from many countries meet in Oslo this week with the aim to create international standards on how to implement UN resolutions on women, peace and security.

INTERNATIONAL: Money in Her Hands: Funding Survivors of HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women and Conflict

What if funding was given directly to women survivors of HIV/AIDS, violence against women and conflict? A two year project undertaken by Isis-WICCE and the Urgent Action Fund-Africa seeks to answer this question.

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