Women's Human Rights Resources Database

This database lists hundreds of resources -- articles, documents and links -- related to international women's rights law and Canadian women's rights law. Annotations describe the content of each resource. Users can search by keyword and author as well as browse by women's rights topic. Full-text documents or links to full-text documents are provided where available.
Search Results for content type Document categorized with Armed Conflict
Amnesty International Report 2007: the state of the world human rights (2007) , Amnesty International
This report by Amnesty International documents the toll that fear takes on victims of armed conflict. The document is divided into regional overviews, looking at issues in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe-Central Asia and the Middle East-North Africa. The document begins with an editorial examination of the toll the conflict takes on women and the difficulties involved in addressing these problems; while many actions taken appear to be intended to address crime, they are often more concerned with maintaining the status quo by controlling the population through fear. The document notes the inadequacy of funding to protect women and examines controversial laws in different countries which regulate womens attire. The report discusses difficulties that women face specific to rape and sexual assault, lack of political power, and unequal access to justice.

 

Armed Conflict in The Gender Trap: Women, Violence, and Poverty , Amnesty International
This report identifies the disproportionate number of women living in poverty, and examines the ways in which that poverty compounds their risk of exposure to violence. Women are often faced with multiple forms of discrimination, which contributes to their risk of experiencing violence. Armed conflict is also identified as a source of violence against women, as women are deliberately targeted with strategies of sexual violence used to break down communities.

 

Obando, Ana Elena , How Effective is a Human Rights Framework in Addressing Gender-based Violence? , Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)
This article discusses how human rights mechanisms can be utilized to combat violence against women. Local movements must be linked to the growing global womens movement, and women must be encouraged to recognize themselves as subjects with rights and the capacity to confront oppressive judicial institutions. The demand for human rights must be linked with alternative ethical visions against the patriarchal structure of the geopolitical system. However, the human rights framework can only be effective as a legal mechanism of advancing social change in conjunction with the strengthening of feminist social welfare states and the building of a movement that positions itself as a political actor in a position to negotiate and make agreements with other legitimate actors. Translating international advances into legal norms and government policies requires a holistic and inclusive development model under the feminist principles of equality, empowerment, solidarity, and cooperation.

 

Militarism, Violence And Conflict How Women Bear The Brunt Of War (2012) , Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)
This interview with Mavic Cabrera-Balleza examines implications of increased military spending for women. Cabrera-Balleza concludes that greater militarism and conflict increase incidences of violence against women and other attacks on womens human rights, which become normalized in the context of the conflict. Cabrera-Balleza argues that recent world crises have led to increased visibility of violence against women and increased solidarity between global activists. Cabrera-Balleza examines the effect of neoliberalism on the increase in poverty, and concludes that it has diminished access to healthcare services and ultimately reinforced gender inequality. Recommendations are made for an increase in positive rights alternative development strategies and a reduction in military spending, as the jobs and benefits created through state military expenditure would be more beneficial if applied to poverty and environmental crisis.

 

Bahdi, Reem , Statute of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was established by the Security Council to prosecute persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of Rwanda between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994. The Tribunal functions in accordance with the provisions of this Statute, which outlines its competence, jurisdiction, composition, etc. The Rules of Procedure and Evidence that should be read alongside the Statute, are the detailed rules adopted by the judges for conducting the pre-trial phase of the proceedings, trials and appeals, the admission of evidence, the protection of victims and witnesses, and other matters.

 

Cabrera-Balleza, Mavic, Popovic, Nicola , Costing and Financing 1325: Examining the Resources Needed to Implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 at the National Level as well as the Gains, Gaps, and Glitches on Financing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (Cordaid and ICAN-GNWP, 2011)
This resource addresses the issue of how UNSCR 1325 (2000), which recognizes womens rights to protection from violence and to participation in all peace and security processes, has yet to be substantially realized. Women continue to be the victims of gender-based sexual violence in the context of conflict and its aftermath, while perpetrators of these crimes go unpunished and women continue to be institutionally underrepresented in developmental decision-making. This report presents a strategic focus outlining the commitments that must be made to the mobilization of domestic and international financial resources towards implementing UNSCR 1325s mandate. The use of international instruments as tools for conflict resolution and prevention demands strong collaboration and coordination among different actors. Implementing UNSCR 1325 will require national action plans systemically translating its resolutions into executable, measurable and accountable acts. Effective national action plans will reflect the realities of the country, and will allow for comprehensive and systemic implementation, monitoring, and evaluation by the government, womens groups, the security sector, and other stakeholders in the country.

 

General recommendation No. 30 on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations , Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
This general recommendation released by the Committee for CEDAW focuses on outlining more concrete and detailed steps that states can take in their legislation and policies to stop gender-based violence and promote gender equality in conflict and post-conflict societies. The recommendation focuses on the necessary participation of women in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration phase after conflict. It is important to include women in this process to guarantee their rights in new Constitutions being drafted and to ensure peace and help prevent a return to conflict. The Committee argues that transitional justice mechanisms are still inadequate in post-conflict societies to address the harms experienced by women during conflict. It emphasizes that states should fulfill their obligations under CEDAW and participate in the reporting process to the Committee to promote womens rights domestically.

 

Contemporary Forms of Slavery: Systematic rape, Sexual slavery and Slavery-like practices during Armed Conflict, Final Report submitted to the UN General Assembly
This report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Systemic Rape, Sexual Slavery and Slave-like Practices During Armed Conflict focuses primarily on the development of international criminal law as a fruitful area for effective action at the national and international levels to end the cycle of impunity for slavery, including sexual slavery, and for sexual violence, including rape. This report also advances policy and practical recommendations that may guide the investigation, prosecution and prevention of sexual slavery and sexual violence in armed conflicts. Included in this report are sections on the definitions of crimes, the legal framework for prosecuting sexual slavery and sexual violence under international law, holding individuals responsible, the right to an effective remedy and the duty to compensate, prosecutions at the national level, and also an appendix on the legal liability of the Government of Japan for "comfort women stations" during World War II.

 

Contemporary Forms of Slavery: Systematic rape, Sexual Slavery and Slavery-like Practices during Armed Conflict, Update to the Final Report submitted to the UN General Assembly
This document discusses developments that have taken place in the year following the 1998 final report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Systematic Rape, Sexual Slavery and Slavery-like Practices during Armed Conflict, including Internal Armed Conflict. The update focuses on steps that have been taken at the international and national levels to ensure that those who have committed acts of sexual violence during armed conflict are held responsible. In particular, the update examines developments in international criminal law reflected in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), continuing efforts in the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and Rwanda (ICTR) to address sexual violence committed during the armed conflicts, the right to reparation of individuals who have suffered sexual violence during armed conflict, and developments in relation to the system of sexual slavery perpetrated by the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War (the Japanese "Comfort Women"). A list of recommendations is provided at the end of the report.

 

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
The "Genocide Convention" was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1948 and entered into force January 12, 1951. The Convention establishes a definition for the crime of genocide and attributes direct and individual criminal responsibility to those who participate in its commission. Latterly, acts that directly target women (such as mass rape in Rwanda and Bosnia) have been considered by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to consitute part of a genocidal policy. This requires the requisite intent (mens rea) and an attempt to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic racial or religious group.

 

Women2000 and Beyond: Sexual Violence and Armed Conflict: United Nations Response , Division for the Advancement of Women
This issue of Women2000 and Beyond examines the steps taken by the UN to address the position of women in situations of armed conflict since World War II. Following the introduction (Part I), Part II examines the nature of sexual violence during armed conflict and how the UN addressed - or failed to address - wartime sexual violence during its early years. Part III discusses the activity of the 1990s from the Persian Gulf War and the creation of the UN Compensation Commission through the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda and their respective tribunals. Part III also discusses the 1993 Vienna Conference on human rights, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, the various reports of the Special Rapporteur and the Fourth World Conference on Women. The report concludes with a series of recommendations and explores how the issue of sexual violence in armed conflict can be advanced in the 21st century.

 

Global gendered impacts of the Ukraine crisis on energy access and food security and nutrition , Economic Empowerment Section of UN Women
This UN Policy report examines the impact of the 2022 war between Ukraine and Russia on women and girls. The report focuses chiefly on sexual violence against women, food insecurity and malnutrition, and energy poverty. The report shows that not has the war caused an increase in sexual violence, but that women’s food security and nutrition is disproportionately jeopardized. Additionally, the report shows that energy poverty has resulted in unequal impacts on gender equality and women’s rights by creating inequitable access to energy. After reviewing the available evidence, this report in combination with the UN Secretary-General’s publications on the war in Ukraine, recommends urgent attention to the consequences on women and girls. The report concludes by presenting further recommendations on essential measures to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Developmental Goals. 

 

Essays on Human Rights and Democratic Development #8: Women and Peacebuilding
The authors introduce their essay with an overview of women's multiple roles in peacebuilding and the divergent ways peacebuilding is defined and envisioned. The authors use case-studies to illustrate each section. The first section investigates women's grassroots peace-building while the second section documents and analyzes local, national and international NGOs' peace-building policies and programmes. The final section records and analyzes peacebuilding policies and programmes within the many branches of the UN as well as regional organizations. The authors conclude with key lessons for effective peacebuilding and offer additional avenues for futher research into women's peacebuilding activities.

 

Nightengale, Margo L. , Government of Canada Response to request for information by UN Secretary-General concerning full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security , Foreign Affairs Canada
This document outlines the steps taken by Canada to implement Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security. It is organized according to the thematic areas and operative paragraphs of Resolution 1325 and outlines the nature of the work carried out by the Government of Canada. Areas addressed include: the representation of women in decision-making; achieving a gender balance in peacekeeping and peace support operations; training on gender issues of military and civilian personnel; adopting a gender perspective when negotiating and implementing peace agreements; voluntary financial, technical and logistical support for gender-sensitive training; efforts to end impunity at the national/international levels; incorporation of gender perspectives in planning for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration; any additional activities/actions undertaken by Canada to implement Resolution 1325; and, future challenges for advancing gender mainstreaming and the women, peace and security agenda. [Descriptors: Armed Conflict, Canada]

 

Women Count: UN Security Council Resolution 1325: Civil Society Monitoring Report 2012 (2012) , Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
Annotation This report provides comprehensively indexed country-specific analysis and recommendations on major trends in the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in each of the participating countries. Systematizing this information is intended to better enable GNWP members and their partners to use these findings as advocacy tools in pushing for more extensive implementation of the recommendations. The study uses tiered indicators to measure and monitor progress, and finds that post-conflict contexts appear to offer a window of opportunity for reforming discriminatory legislation and for initiating pro-gender policies. While there is a major implementation gap hindering the effectiveness of these laws and policies, access to transitional justice through community-based initiatives can be effective at both local and regional levels. Regional coordination in conjunction with smaller and more flexible funding opportunities has been established as among best practices; however inadequate budget allocations remain a major issue, and lack of data as well as disaggregated data remain problematic.

 

At a Crossroads (2011) , Human Rights Watch
This report provides an overview of ways in which the US-led invasion into Iraq has impacted that countrys respect for human rights, focusing on the rights of women and girls, freedom of expression, the torture of detainees, and marginalized communities. The report reveals that, while progress has been made, Iraqs transition to a functioning and sustainable democracy is far from over. The first section of the report, which addresses the rights of women and girls, describes how the invasion into Iraq caused the deterioration of security in that country, which resulted in a rise in tribal customs and religiously-inflicted political extremism. The report describes that it is common for militias, insurgents, Iraqi security forces, and multinational forces to rape and kill women and girls. The report further notes that women and girls are not safe in their own homes either, as they are regularly physically punished and sometimes killed by their own fathers, brothers and husbands for actions that allegedly shame the family, and that they are unable to seek protection from the all-male police and other security forces as that would likely result in further harassment and abuse.

 

Soldiers Who Rape, Commanders Who Condone (2009) , Human Rights Watch
This report addresses sexual violence and military reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo (FARDC), the government army, is one of the primary perpetrators of sexual violence. In this report, Human Rights Watch (1) provides a background of the abuses of sexual violence committed by FARDC, (2) examines efforts to stop that violence and (3) considers why such efforts have been unsuccessful. Senior officials of FARDC have escaped prosecution entirely and to date the only military personnel that have been prosecuted for sexual violence have been lower-ranked soldiers. Military commanders have also been documented to go to great lengths to shield their soldiers from prosecution. The report recommends that the Congolese government focus on strengthening the weak military justice system, improving living conditions of soldiers and removing officers from FARDC who have been responsible for past crimes. As these initiatives will take time to implement, the report recommends establishing a mixed chamber to prosecute high-ranking officers, armed group leaders, and civilian leaders responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity who would otherwise not be tried by the International Criminal Court.

 

Lewis, Hope , Women and War: Special Report , International Committee of the Red Cross
This report provides an update to the far-reaching 2001 "Women Facing War" study published by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) [Also available in this section of the WHRR website.] The report outlines the ICRC's actions since 2001, and the organization's subsequent commitment to the identification of and response to both the general and specific needs of women affected by armed conflict.

 

Hernández-Truyol, Berta E. , Women Facing War , International Committee of the Red Cross
This study assesses the impact of armed conflict on the lives of women. It identifies the core needs of women during situations of armed conflict (such as physical safety, access to health care, adequate food and shelter) and explores the associated problems faced by women along with the coping mechanisms employed by women themselves and aid agencies/organizations. The study includes a thorough analysis of international humanitarian law and, to a lesser extent, human rights and refugee law, as a way of assessing the protection afforded to women through these bodies of law. Extracts and an executive summary of the study are available through the on-line version; the full study is only available for order through the ICRC Distribution Sector.

 

International Criminal Court PrepCom Reports
"Prepcom" (Preparatory Commission) meetings are meetings where the final text of treaties and associated technical issues are negotiated and approved. During the negotiation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) PrepComm meetings were held to decide on the content of the ICC Statute. Further PrepComm's were also held following the Rome Conference to address rules of procedure and evidence, elements of crimes, composition, and technical issues. These documents provide important information on the drafting history of the Rome Statute. One example is the controversy surrounding the inclusion of "forced pregnancy" as a crime against humanity in the ICC Statute.[WHRR users should note the the International Criminal Court page of the Women's Caucus for Gender Justice website contains the Causcus' own reports of these PrepComm Meetings, action alerts and the drafts as proposed by the Women's Caucus.]

 

International Panel of Eminent Personalities (IPEP) to Investigate the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda and the Surrounding Events, Special Report: Rwanda: The Preventable Genocide
In 1998 the Organization of African Unity (OAU, now the African Union or AU) created this international panel and gave it the mandate "to investigate the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and the surrounding events in the Great Lakes Region... as part of efforts aimed at averting and preventing further wide-scale conflicts in the Region." The panel's 24-chapter report was made public 7 July 2000. Chapter 1 discusses genocide in the 20th century. Chapters 2-8 describe and analyze the key events from the late 1800s to 1994 that lead to the Rwandan genocide. Chapters 9-13 discuss what was known in the world about the situation in Rwanda; what could have been done to prevent the genocide; and the role and responsibility of the OAU, France, the United States, and the UN. Chapters 14-15 describe what happened during the genocide. Chapter 16 discusses the plight of women and children. Chapters 17-23 discuss the consequences of the genocide and the situation in Rwanda today. In Chapter 24 the panel makes recommendations. Of particular relevance to women's rights is Chapter 16. This chapter discusses the role of women in rebuilding Rwanda, the gender inequalities that exist in this country, the violence that was committed against women during the genocide, and initiatives to address the needs and interests of Rwandan women.

 

Prosecuting Genocide in Rwanda: A Lawyers Committee report on the ICTR and National Trials , Lawyers Committee for Human Rights
This paper describes and analyzes proceedings at the national and international level to prosecute those responsible for the genocide in Rwanda. It explores the relationship between international and national prosecutions and demonstrates that, without support from the international community, neither national nor international prosecutions will succeed. The paper shows how developments in the international tribunal's work can have a profound impact on prosecutions in Rwanda. An additional goal is to emphasize how the judicial process can affect human rights and the reconciliation process in Rwanda if trials in national courts are fair and there is a serious effort to ascribe guilt to individuals and not to a particular group. The paper also contains a series of recommendations.

 

Marshall, Meredith , Women, War & Peace: The Independent Expert's Assessment on the Impact of Armed Conflict on women and Women's Role in Peace-building
This report, commissioned by UNIFEM (the Women's Fund at the United Nations) was the outcome of a mission carried out by two independent experts who traveled to conflict areas in order to interview women and bring their concerns to the attention of the UN and the world. The report is divided into 10 chapters and contains an executive summary (31 pages) as well as a summary of recommendations by chapter. The report covers many areas of concern from the gender dimension of violence and displacement during armed conflict, the impact of health and HIV/AIDS in times of conflict, to the role of the media and peacekeepers and the need for women to play a central part during peace negotiations and reconstruction.

 

Milliken, Jennifer, Gilgen, Elizabeth , Tackling Violence Against Women: From Knowledge to Practical Initiatives
This working paper from the Geneva Declaration Secretariat supports work on the elimination of violence against women (VAW) in armed conflicts. In order to achieve a measurable reduction in the global burden of armed violence, researchers need to fill knowledge gaps in accounting for its gendered dimensions. To this end, the paper identifies key initiatives that researchers can undertake. These include 1) mapping VAW in different forms over time (changes in patterns, prevalence, and frequency); 2) standardizing the data collection to make cross-national comparisons possible; and 3)enhancing costing tools to estimate the financial and other negative impacts of VAW on development, which will enable a cost/benefit approach to evaluating programming. This last initiative will support more contextually adequate policy making, and in turn facilitate a more systematic approach to strategic analysis of programming.

 

Fact Sheet No. 13, International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights , Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights
This fact sheet traces the evolution of international humanitarian law (IHL). It outlines the present-day scope and meaning of IHL both for combatants and for civilians caught up in armed conflicts.

 

Women, Peace and Security, "At a Glance" , Office of the Special Advisor on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women
This "At a Glance" report was published two years on from Resolution 1325 (2000) (Women, Peace and Security). The report provides a summary of the key elements of the study that received its mandate from the Security Council and was designed to identify the gender aspect of peace and security issues and to discuss the response of the UN system and the ongoing challenges it faces. The study was issued by the UN in October 2002. This report on the study covers the topics of: the impact of armed conflict on women and girls; the international legal framework; peace processes; peacekeeping operations; humanitarian operations; reconstruction and rehabilitation; and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. The report concludes with the study's recommendations for concrete action to ensure greater attention to gender perspectives in all these areas of work.

 

Randall, Melanie , Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the involvement of children in armed conflict was adopted by the UN General Assembly on May 25, 2000 and entered into force on February 12, 2002. The protocol recognizes the heavy burden armed conflict places on children. In particular, it condemns the recruitment of children for combat and calls on states to take all steps possible to bring an end to the practice.

 

Martin, Sarah , Must Boys be Boys? Ending Sexual Exploitation & Abuse in UN Peacekeeping Missions , Refugees International
This report discusses the sexual exploitation and abuse committed against women and girls by UN officers during peacekeeping missions. Criticizing the "boys will be boys" approach to sexual exploitation and abuse, this report calls for the political will and action necessary to support the implementation of zero tolerance policies. It begins by introducing the problem and situating gender-based violence in various UN peacekeeping missions. The report also describes how the hyper-masculine culture of UN peacekeeping missions and a tradition of silence encourage the "boys will be boys" attitude. The rest of the report focuses on solutions, strategies and recommendations made by Refugees International to change this approach. [Descriptors: Armed Conflict, Violence Against Women, International]

 

Women's Rights in Conflict Situations: Bibliography (Update) , Rights & Democracy
This bibliography is an update to the one produced by ICHRDD in May 1997 by Stephanie Grenier. It provides sources on the topic of women and conflict situations. It includes general documents as well as texts on topics such as women as participants, women as victims and women in the peace processes. The bibliography also includes some references to women as refugees. The updated bibliography covers the period from May 1997 to February 1999 and includes monographs, reports, articles and conference reports published by NGOs or international organizations in English, French and Spanish.It has been drawn mainly from the Documentation Centre of Canada's International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (ICHRDD). It focuses on Africa, Asia, Central and Latin America.

 

Women's Rights in Situations of Conflict: Bibliography , Rights & Democracy
This bibliography provides sources on the topic of women and conflict situations. It includes general documents as well as texts on topics such as women as participants, women as victims and women in the peace processes. The bibliography also includes some references to women as refugees. The bibliography covers the period from 1990 to 1997 and includes monographs, reports, articles and conference reports published by NGOs or international organizations in English, French and Spanish. It has been drawn mainly from the Documentation Centre of Canada's International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (ICHRDD). It focuses on Africa, Asia, Central and Latin America. An update to the bibliography covering the period May 1997 to February 1999 is available at http://www.ichrdd.ca/english/commdoc/publications/women/biblioFemmes2.html

 

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
At the Rome Conference in July 1998, 160 nations voted to establish a permanent International Criminal Court (ICC) to try individuals for the most serious offences of global concern. The crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC include genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Statute entered into force on July 1, 2002. The ICC Statute is important because it explicitly provides for the prosecution of gender crimes such as rape and sexual violence under the umbrella of "crimes against humanity." WHRR Users may also be interested in the ICC website more generally which includes other documents about the ICC and the website of the Women's Caucus for Gender Justice that is available through the "links" division of the Women and Armed Conflict section.

 

Smiley, Susannah , Recognizing Forced Impregnation as a War Crime Under International Law
This report seeks to provide governmental, international and nongovernmental organizations interested in bringing those responsible for committing crimes against women to justice, whether in the former Yugoslavia or elsewhere, with a conceptual and legal framework for understanding, analyzing, and documenting "forced impregnation" in war. The report argues that forced impregnation is a war crime under current international humanitarian law and that it should be explicitly named, recognized, and prosecuted as such. Forced impregnation is defined and then examined through its motives: as a means of maximizing the pain of rape, as a means of humiliating the victim and her family and relatives, as a means of genocide, and as a form of enslavement.

 

Bayefsky, Anne F. , Beijing +10: Fact Sheets - Women & Armed Conflict , Status of Women Canada
This fact sheet notes that the Beijing Platform for Action identified the effects of armed or other kinds of conflict on women, including those living under foreign occupation, as one of the twelve areas of critical concern. It then sets out the issue of women's involvement in the peace building process and the various effects of conflict on women along with some vital statistics from the Canadian immigration and refugee board. The fact sheet also outlines the steps that Canada has taken, and is taking, at the federal and international levels to promote women's involvement in peace building efforts and protect women in situations of armed conflict. [Descriptors: Armed Conflict, Canada]

 

Monture-Okanee, Patricia A. , Integrating Gender into the International Criminal Court: Putting Theory into Practice , Status of Women Canada
This short article first outlines the process that lead to the entry into force of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on July 1, 2002. The document then discusses the range of crimes, the issue of victim and witness protection, the staffing on the Court and the selection of judges, along with the importance for Canada of fashioning a permanent ICC Statute that reflects the full range of gender issues relevant to modern conflict and human rights abuses. [Descriptors: Armed Conflict, Canada]

 

Statute of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was established by the Security Council to prosecute persons responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1991. The Tribunal functions in accordance with the provisions of this Statute, which outlines its competence, jurisdiction, composition, etc. The Rules of Procedure and Evidence that should be read alongside the Statute, are the detailed rules adopted by the judges for conducting the pre-trial phase of the proceedings, trials and appeals, the admission of evidence, the protection of victims and witnesses, and other matters.

 

Statute of the Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) was set up jointly by an Agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations. The SCSL is mandated to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since November 30, 1996. The Tribunal functions in accordance with the provisions of this Statute, which outlines its competence, jurisdiction, composition, etc. The Rules of Procedure and Evidence that should be read alongside the Statute, are the detailed rules adopted by the judges for conducting the pre-trial phase of the proceedings, trials and appeals, the admission of evidence, the protection of victims and witnesses, and other matters.

 

U.S. Civil Society Working Group Expert Statement for the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (2011) , U.S. Civil Society Working Group on Women, Peace and Security
The National Action Plan presents specific strategies to assist the United States government to enact policy regarding womens issues in the international community. Among the recommendations is for the U.S. to ensure more inclusive support in mediation and negotiation processes in resolving international conflicts, and seeks to achieve substantial womens participation in multilateral and bilateral post-conflict planning and programming. Concomitantly, this action plan recommends prioritizing the needs of women and girls in U.S.-funded emergency response and recovery programs, and to maintain zero tolerance and 100% accountability for sexual and gender based violence. The U.S. should also ensure that financial support for multilateral organizations is contingent on compliance with the provisions of UNSCR 1325, and to require U.S. government security and development contractors to demonstrate core competencies on UNSCR 1325 provisions in the contractors work, programs, and policies.

 

Silencing Sexual Violence - Recent Developments in the CDF Case at the Special Court for Sierra Leone , UC Berkeley War Crimes Studies Center
This report addresses the body of evidence pertaining to sexual violence recently excluded by Trial Chamber I of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) in the Civilian Defense Force (CDF) Case. Following a series of rulings by the Chamber, all considerations of serious allegations of systematic sexual violence on the part of one of the main parties to the Sierra Leone conflict have been excluded by the Special Court. Based on a court observer's notes, this report charts the history of the exclusion of sexual violence evidence in the trial of three members of the CDF. It explores how an initial oversight by the Prosecution led to the Trial Chamber's decision to exclude all testimony tainted by sexual violence. The report concludes that this decision undermines the Special Court's ability to effectively deal with sexual violence during the conflict, and prevents several witnesses from being able to tell their story.

 

Statement of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women on the 10th Anniversary of Security Council Resolution 1325 on omen, Peace and Security(2010) , UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
With the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in 2000, the international community signaled its commitment to addressing the inequalities that exist between men and women in armed conflict. While attempts have been made to address the inequalities, progress has been limited and sexual violence and rape continue to be used as a means of war. One of the primary issues is the lack of an accountability mechanism to ensure implementation of the resolution. CEDAW is requesting that Member States collaborate with civil societies and NGOs to improve implementation. The Committee notes that states can help reduce the level of violence during armed conflict by responding to womens needs and protection, prosecuting the individuals responsible for the violence, and encouraging the involvement of women in decision-making.

 

Statement of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the Need for a Gender Perspective in the Text of the Arms Trade Treaty (2012) , UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
This statement from by the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (the Committee) begins by establishing that gender-based violence against women is a form of discrimination that can seriously inhibit womens ability to enjoy rights and freedoms. The Committee encourages international efforts to establish a legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the United Nations, as the arms trade is directly linked to gender-based violence against women and proliferation of arms and ammunition perpetuates the violence and abuse women are subjected to during times of conflict. The Committee emphasizes that the main focus of the ATT should be to prevent human suffering caused by the arms trade, especially among vulnerable groups such as women and children.

 

Cook, Rebecca J., Dickens, Bernard M. , Sexual Violence and Armed Conflict: United Nations Response: Women 2000 , UN Division for the Advancement of Women
This report considers the failure of the international community to address the issue of war-time sexual violence during the early years of the UN. Developments are traced to the early 1990s when the international community finally recognized that human rights violations committed against women during armed conflict, including sexual violence, violate fundamental principles of international human rights and humanitarian law. In the second part of this issue, the manner in which sexual violence during armed conflict emerged as an item of serious concern within the UN is examined. The role of women's NGOs in exerting pressure for change is highlighted, and the UN's response described. The concluding section examines how the issue may be advanced in the next century.

 

Women, Peace & Security: UNIFEM Supporting Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 , UNIFEM
This publication by UNIFEM was produced in response to Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000). The publication identifies that war has become highly gendered and, consequently, a measured response to addressing the concerns of women in conflict situations and the peacebuilding process is essential. UNIFEM's efforts to ensure that the international commitments made in Resolution 1325 are honoured are highlighted in this publication. Part I addresses information, early warning and conflict prevention. Next, the publication turns to humanitarian protection and assistance (Part II) and peacebuilding (Part III). Finally, Part IV addresses gender justice and post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation.

 

UN Sourcebook on Women, Peace and Security (2010) , United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 recognizes that armed conflict affects women and girls differently than men and boys. This resolution has resulted in some improvements, but implementation challenges remain. Four recent resolutions (1820 in 2008, 1888 and 1889 in 2009, and 1960 in 2010) attempt to address these challenges. Together with Resolution 1325, these resolutions are known as the Women, Peace, and Security resolutions (WPS). This collection of papers provides resource material to support the implementation of these resolutions.

 

Moser, Annalise , Women Building Peace and Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict-Affected Contexts: A Review of Community-Based Approaches (2007) , United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
This report by UN Women examines peace-building initiatives and the difficulties women face in participating in such. The document focuses on womens roles in reconciliation mechanisms for developing peace and protecting women. The document examines obstacles and solutions to womens engagement in peace-building initiatives and notes risks to physical safety, fear and gender roles encouraging male violence as disincentives to female participation. The document also notes problems in current funding mechanisms. In response to this funding challenge, UNIFEM provides some small grants, but this report notes difficulties in implementation of the grant system. The report also examines access to support services, awareness raising programs and conflict monitoring systems and concludes that these programs are helpful and essential, but insufficient in providing security for women at risk during armed conflict.

 

Ward, Jeanne, Marsh, Mendy , Sexual Violence against Women and Girls in War and Its Aftermath: Realities, Responses, and Required Resources , United Nations Population Fund
This briefing paper was prepared for the Symposium on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Beyond that took place in Brussels, Belgium in June 2006. Part I discusses the nature and scope of sexual violence against women and children in situations of armed conflict. Part II describes international actions that have been taken to combat gender-based violence against women. Here, the authors advocate a multi-sectoral approach, which "calls for holistic inter-organizational and inter-agency efforts, across the health, social services, legal and security sectors". Part III assesses progress in this area, arguing that states and the international community as a whole have failed to prioritize violence against women as a major health and human rights issue. The report concludes by highlighting the importance of ending impunity for perpetrators of violence. [Descriptors: Armed Conflict, Violence Against Women, International]

 

Women, Peace and Security , United Nations Security Council
UNSCR 1820 condemns sexual violence as an instrument of conflict and commits the Security Council to implementing the steps necessary to decisively end this practice and punish its perpetrators. The resolution notes that rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and constitutive acts with respect to genocide. In response to this, the resolution stresses the need for the exclusion of sexual violence crimes from amnesty provisions in the context of conflict resolution process, and mandates a zero tolerance policy for sexual violence crimes. The resolution emphasizes the necessity of womens contribution to peacebuilding, and to their full participation and involvement in decision-making with regard to security, conflict-prevention and resolution.

 

The International Criminal Court: An Opportunity for Women , Women's Human Rights Net
The inauguration of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to have a significant impact of the prosecution of gender-related crimes. This special issue discusses the importance and role of the ICC and the Court's first investigation into crimes committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The issue goes on to discuss the range of sexual and gender crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC and reviews and summarizes the recent and relevant case-law pertaining to gender crimes. The need for gender-sensitive legal procedures and process is explored, and the key gains and potential pitfalls for the women's movement caused by the ICC are outlined. The special issue also contains a list of additional resources on the topic of the ICC, women and gender-crimes and links to other sites.