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.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

Amnesty, Forgotten Victims of the Conflict, 2007

VAW_TargetingWomen_AI_2007_0.pdf

Sierra Leone: Getting Reparations Right for Victims of Sexual Violence, Amnesty Intl. (2007).

LawRef-VAW_ReparationsSV_AI_2007_0.pdf

Mexico: Indigenous Women and Military Injustice, Amnesty Intl. (2004).

HRInst-LawRef-VAW_MexWomMilInjust_AI_Nov2004_0.pdf

Women

vaw_perilorprotection_womensrefugeecommittee_nov2009_0.pdf

Violence Against Refugee Women in Eastern Chad, Amnesty Intl. (2009).

Disp-VAW_RefugeesRapedChad_AI_2009_0.pdf

Human Rights Watch,“They Took Me and Told me Nothing

hrw_-genital_mutilation_in_iraqi_kurdistan_0.pdf

Beyond Trousers: The Public Order Regime and the Human Rights of Women and Girls in Sudan

vaw_publicorderrecs_siha_nov2009.pdf

UNAMA Press Release

prot_unamapressreleaseafghanpocreport_march2011.pdf

Oxfam, Now the World is Without Me: An Investigation of Sexual Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, 2010

vaw_investigationsvdrc_oxfam_april2010_0.pdf

Women's Power to Stop War Webinar Series Episode 6: Gender, Violence and the State in Asia

October 9, 2014

Assistant Professor Amy Barrow examines how the perpetuation of gender-based violence is often shaped by distinct cultural norms, laws, and policies, using examples from within Asia. The webinar considers how states in Asia have responded to international legal instruments including CEDAW and the Security Council Resolution 1325.

Pages