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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Security Council Resolution 2436

Security Council Resolution 2434: Preamble

Security Council Agenda Thematic Topic: 
Peacekeeping
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Participation
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding
Extract: 

...

Urging the full, equal and effective participation of women in all activities relating to the democratic transition, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, supporting the efforts of the SRSG to facilitate wider engagement and participation of women from across the spectrum of Libyan society in the political process and public institutions,

Calling on the Libyan authorities to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict, including ending impunity for sexual and gender-based violence crimes in line with relevant Security Council resolutions, including its resolutions 1325 (2000), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013), 2242 (2015) and 2331 (2016),

...

Expressing grave concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Libya, including deteriorating living standards, insufficient provision of basic services, and at the situation faced by migrants, refugees and internally displaced people, and calling on all parties to respect international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as applicable, and further calling on the Libyan authorities to take all steps necessary to investigate violations and abuses, including torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and mistreatment in prisons and detention centres, and to hold those responsible to account,

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Security Council Resolution 2434

Report of the Secretary-General on the Implementation of Security Council resolutions 2139 (2014), 2165 (2014), 2191 (2014), 2258 (2015), 2332 (2016), 2393 (2017) and 2401 (2018) (S/2018/724)

Report of the Secretary-General on the Implementation of Security Council resolutions 2139 (2014), 2165 (2014), 2191 (2014), 2258 (2015), 2332 (2016), 2393 (2017) and 2401 (2018) (S/2018/619)

What are the responsibilities of pro-feminist men in the Michael Kimmel sexual harassment case?

Security Council Resolution 2433: Para 22

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

Para 22. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNIFIL to implement the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take preventive and disciplinary action to ensure that such acts are properly investigated and punished in cases involving their personnel;

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