The War on Women: How Sexual Violence Threatens Human Rights and Global Security

Sexual violence is a grave violation of human rights that affects millions of women and girls around the world. It can cause severe physical, psychological, social and economic harm to the survivors and their families. It can also undermine the peace, security and development of the affected communities and countries.

One of the most alarming trends in recent years is the increasing use of sexual violence as a tactic of war and terrorism, especially in situations of conflict and instability. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), women and girls are primarily and disproportionately targeted by this form of violence, which is often perpetrated with the intention of humiliating, terrorizing, punishing, controlling or displacing them.

women refugees flee from Syria due to war

Sexual violence in conflict and instability can take various forms, such as rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, forced sterilization, mutilation and trafficking. It can be committed by state or non-state actors, including armed groups, militias, terrorists, peacekeepers, security forces and civilians. It can occur in public or private settings, such as homes, schools, camps, checkpoints and prisons.

The impacts of sexual violence in conflict and instability are devastating for the survivors and their communities. They include physical injuries, infections, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, fistulas, infertility, trauma, stigma, discrimination, isolation, rejection, loss of livelihoods, displacement and increased vulnerability to further violence. Sexual violence can also fuel cycles of conflict and instability by exacerbating ethnic, religious or political tensions, undermining trust and social cohesion, weakening institutions and the rule of law, and hindering post-conflict recovery and reconciliation.

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The international community has recognized the urgency and gravity of addressing sexual violence in conflict and instability as a matter of human rights, humanitarian law and international security. Several resolutions have been adopted by the United Nations Security Council to prevent and respond to this scourge, such as Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security; Resolution 1820 on sexual violence in conflict; Resolution 1888 on leadership and coordination; Resolution 1889 on women's participation; Resolution 1960 on monitoring and reporting; Resolution 2106 on accountability; Resolution 2122 on women's empowerment; Resolution 2242 on countering violent extremism; Resolution 2467 on survivor-centered approach; and Resolution 2493 on implementation.

over 80% of Syrian refugees are women and children

These resolutions call for various actions to address sexual violence in conflict and instability, such as strengthening prevention strategies; enhancing protection measures; ensuring access to justice and accountability; providing comprehensive services and reparations to survivors; supporting women's participation and leadership in peace processes; enhancing data collection and analysis; strengthening coordination and cooperation among stakeholders; increasing resources and political will; raising awareness and advocacy; and combating impunity and stigma.

The OHCHR plays a vital role in supporting these efforts by monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, including sexual violence; providing technical assistance and capacity-building to states and civil society; advocating for the rights of survivors and their access to justice and reparations; engaging with relevant actors to prevent and respond to sexual violence; promoting gender equality and women's empowerment; and contributing to the implementation of the resolutions on women, peace and security.

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It is time for mankind to reflect on our actions; our desperate need divide ourselves into groups and establish superiority between them only benefits those in power. But the rest of us, many of which may even support these movements are only at a loss. Human rights exist to curb this divide and promote a society that cannot be manipulated by any patriarchal power. Today, we have two choices: look beyond gender to see the human, or be blinded by ego and view women as something inferior.