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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Statement of SPAIN at the UNGA73

Participation:  "I would like to begin by highlighting that this is the first time in history that a Latin American woman, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, is presiding over this Assembly. This is yet another reflection of the fact that in the twenty-first century, global governance is inconceivable without the leadership of women. I am a feminist politician. Now is the time for women.”

Statement of NEW ZEALAND at UNGA73

Human Rights: “In an increasingly uncertain world it is more important than ever that we remember the core values on which the UN was built. That all people are equal. That everyone is entitled to have their dignity and human rights respected.”

Statement of REPUBLIC OF MALAWI at UNGA73

Gender equality:

“We are proud of our efforts and achievements in maternal health; girl’s education; youth empowerment; and gender equality.”

General WPS/protection: ​

“We are fighting against violence against women and girls. I believe no human society can meaningfully develop while marginalizing its women. Development must always be inclusive.”

Statement REPUBLIC OF MALAWI at UNGA73

The Republic of Malawi.pdf

Statement of FINLAND at UNGA73

Participation: “Peace and security, human rights and development are not sustainable without the participation of women and the youth. Female voices and young voices must be heard - and acted upon.”

 

Statement of FINLAND at UNGA73

FI_EN.pdf

Security Council Resolution 2436: Para 17

Security Council Agenda Thematic Topic: 
Peacekeeping
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Peacekeeping
Extract: 

Para 17. Expresses concern regarding allegations of sexual harassment in peacekeeping operations, and affirms its support for the Secretary-General’s zerotolerance policy on all forms of sexual harassment;

Security Council Resolution 2436: Para 16

Security Council Agenda Thematic Topic: 
Peacekeeping
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Peacekeeping
Extract: 

Para 16. Underscores that any form of sexual exploitation and abuse is unacceptable and reaffirms its support for the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse, and welcomes the Secretary-General’s victim-centred approach and the Secretary-General’s measures to strengthen the prevention, enforcement and remediation efforts against all forms of sexual misconduct, and reiterates its request to the Secretary-General to include a section on adherence to his zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse in all his reporting to the Security Council, both thematic and country-specific, and urges all troop- and police-contributing countries to redouble their efforts to take the steps necessary to vet and train their personnel and conduct investigations of allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by their personnel and take appropriate steps to hold accountable those responsible, and recognizes the need to make further visible and measurable improvement on addressing sexual exploitation and abuse;

Security Council Resolution 2436: Para 18

PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Peacekeeping
Extract: 

Para 18. Encourages Member States, as appropriate, to provide training to peacekeeping personnel to be deployed in United Nations peacekeeping operations on issues related to sexual violence in conflict, trafficking in persons in the context of armed conflict, and gender expertise, and to ensure that these considerations are fully integrated, as appropriate, into performance and operational readiness standards, and further encourages Member States to nominate individual military and police personnel to act as focal points on these areas;

Security Council Resolution 2436: Preamble

PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Peacekeeping
Extract: 

...

Expressing deep concern about the serious and continuous allegations and underreporting of sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations peacekeepers and non-United Nations forces authorized under a Security Council mandate, including military, civilian and police personnel, and underscoring that sexual exploitation and abuse, among other crimes and forms of serious misconduct, by any such personnel is unacceptable, and commending the troop- and police-contributing countries that have taken steps to prevent, investigate and hold accountable their personnel for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse,

Recalling its resolution 2242 (2015), recognizing the indispensable role of women in United Nations peacekeeping and welcoming efforts to incentivise greater numbers of women in military, police and civilians deployed in United Nations peacekeeping operations, and noting the importance of increasing the number of women in leadership, and of ensuring that the needs and participation of women are integrated in all stages of mission planning and implementation through the inclusion of appropriate gender technical expertise,

...

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