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 Gambia, October, 2016

Extract: 

“Bearing in mind the fact that resolution 1325 (2000) emerged a decade after the end of the Cold War, when new kinds of violence and warfare were already evident, in particular it was also a recognition of the complexity of post-conflict peacebuilding in countries such as Bosnia, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, when social fabric and trust within communities had been destroyed.

'Rape,' 'sexual assault' terms missing in NK: defectors

RapesexualassaulttermsmissinginNKdefectors (1).pdf

STATEMENT OF GABON, October, 2015.

Extract: 

The full participation of women in peace negotiations is all the more important in that it ensures the inclusion of their concerns in peace agreements. Similarly, their involvement in preventing violence, peacekeeping and peacebuilding is necessary for the resolution of conflicts.

STATEMENT OF FINLAND, October, 2015.

Extract: 

Sexual violence and abductions of women and girls are used as a weapon of war and a tactic of terror. The critical need to address sexual violence in conflict and to step up efforts to eliminate impunity has been forcefully recognized across the world. Finland has been a staunch financial supporter in this area and will continue to be one.

STATEMENT OF FRANCE, October, 2015.

Extract: 

At the operational level, France — which, through the deployment of over 900 military and police personnel, is contributing to six peacekeeping operations — is committed to the utmost vigilance and resolve to ensure compliance with the rules laid down by the United Nations in the fight against sexual abuse and respect for human rights.

STATEMENT OF ESTONIA, October, 2015.

Extract: 

Estonia is committed to implementing resolution 1325 (2000) and is currently in the process of adopting its second national action plan. Changes do not happen overnight. We therefore have to focus on raising awareness on the women and peace and security agenda from the grass-roots level to that of international cooperation.

Statement of Croatia, October, 2015

Extract: 

Despite the development of policies, action plans, guidelines, programmes and training in the 15 years since the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), women continue to face significant barriers to successfully participating and playing roles in those processes.

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

Czech Republic_WPS.pdf

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

Croatia_WPS.pdf

STATEMENT OF COSTA RICA, October 2015

Extract: 

Costa Rica is outraged by the pervasiveness of sexual violence as a weapon of war and condemns the sexual misconduct and abuse committed by United Nations peacekeepers.

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