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 QATAR, October, 2015

Extract: 

Over the past two years, there has been an increase in violence against women in the context of conflicts. Such massive violations of human rights are carried out by terrorist organizations and authoritarian regimes. There have been cases of forced marriage and sexual slavery, which deprive women of their right to a life of dignity.

Statement of Poland, October, 2015

Extract: 

We would also like to stress that combating sexual violence against women in armed conflicts remains an important issue for the Polish Government. We welcomed the anti- sexual-violence initiative of the British Government as a timely and necessary initiative aimed at addressing the culture of impunity. As a member of the UN-Women Executive Board, Poland stands ready to cooperate further in that regard.

Statement of Poland on the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, October, 2015

Poland_WPS(1).pdf

Statement of Poland on the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, October, 2015

Poland_WPS(1).pdf

Security Council Resolution S/RES/2296: Preamble

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Sudan
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Peace Processes
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Peacekeeping
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Human Rights
Extract: 

Recalling all its relevant resolutions on women, peace and security, on children and armed conflicts, on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel, and on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts,

Expressing deep concern at the ongoing insecurity in Darfur as characterised by attacks by rebel groups and Government forces in Jebel Marra, inter-tribal fighting, banditry and criminality, including sexual and gender-based violence targeting women and girls, which continues to threaten civilians, in particular women and children; and reiterating its demand that all parties to the conflict in Darfur immediately end violence, including attacks on civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel,

Taking note of the lack of military confrontation between the Government of Sudan and armed groups in Darfur over the past year, except for Jebel Marra, expressing deep concern at a significant increase in violence in and around the Jebel Marra, where fighting between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Army Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW) continued, including aerial bombardments and reported attacks on women and children, as well as inter-communal conflict over land, access to resources, migration issues and tribal rivalries, including with the involvement of paramilitary units and tribal militias, including in East, West and North Darfur where inter-communal conflict led to significant displacement as well as the killing and wounding of civilians and the wounding of a peacekeeper,

[...]

Security Council Resolution S/RES/2296

S_RES_2296.pdf

Final report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2016/466)

The report was provided to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 3 May 2016 and was considered by the Committee on 13 May 2016. 

Summary:

Final report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2016/466)

S_2016_466.pdf

STATEMENT OF PERU, October, 2015

Extract: 

At the international level, Peru supports the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy, which strongly condemns the participation of persons working under the flag of the United Nations in any form of inappropriate or immoral behaviour, especially in cases of sexual exploitation and abuse against civilians, in particular women and girls.

STATEMENT OF PERU, October, 2015

Extract: 

Similarly, the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations has developed a registry of internally displaced persons, which has made it possible to protect the rights of women and girls in conflict and post- conflict situations. Likewise, through a law enacted in 2005, my country established a comprehensive reparations plan for the victims of acts of violence that occurred between 1980 and 2000.

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