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General Assembly Topic 1

The Model UN team poses at a conference with their logo.

Sexual and Gender Based Violence as a Weapon to Create Regional Instability

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a phenomenon that affects not only individuals, but also has large consequences for regional stability (Council on Foreign Relations). Acts such as arbitrary killings, torture, forced marriage, and human trafficking all fall under the category of SGBV (“What is Gender Based Violence?”). SGBV primarily impacts women and girls, and many times it is used to sow fear and create regional instability. In these cases, perpetrators of violence aim to destabilize and demoralize their victim’s society by breaking apart communities and creating power imbalances that aid in the perpetuation of further conflict (OHCHR). Gender-based violence can also spark in post-conflict areas as the status quo of family structure may have been broken down. The judicial system may also break down within the post-conflict area.

Sexual and gender-based violence has caused regional instability by inflicting immediate physical and psychological harm on its victims, as well as weakening the social fabric of the community. Long term effects that affect stability include long-term social and economic disruption as a result of trauma, which can hinder the recovery and reestablishment of stable and peaceful societies (UNICEF).

The United Nations has taken several steps to help alleviate SGBV. The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was adopted in 2000, and calls for the prevention of SGBV, protection of women and girls from violence, and persecution of perpetrators. It additionally recognizes that SGBV disproportionately impacts women and girls. The UN has also established the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which helps to support programs that work to end SGBV globally, and launched several campaigns like “Orange the World ” to raise awareness (UN Women - Headquarters). However, there is still much work to be done. As a delegate, it will be up to you to represent your country and create innovative solutions to further aid in the elimination of SGBV.

Questions to Consider
  1. What is your country’s position on the use of SGBV?
  2. Has your country taken any steps to prevent SGBV in your own communities?
  3. Has your country’s population ever been subjected to SGBV (used as a weapon of war)?
  4. In what ways can current international laws be strengthened and enforced to ensure protection?
  5. What type of solution does your country want to see from this committee?
  6. How can the above be achieved without infringing on another country’s sovereignty? In what ways can you collaborate with other delegates to reach a solution/
Resources to Consider:

“Peace, Dignity and Equality on a Healthy Planet.” United Nations, www.un.org/en/ . Accessed 17 June 2023.

“VAW - General Assembly.” United Nations, www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/vaw/v-work-ga.htm#:~:text=Work%20of%20the%20General%20Assembly%20since%202000&text=In%202006%2C%20following%20the%20launch,forms%20of%20violence%20against%20women   Accessed 17 June 2023.

“Violence Against Women - World Health Organization.” World Health Organization, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women . Accessed 18 July 2023.

Works Cited

“The Devastating Use of Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War: Think Global Health.”

Council on Foreign Relations, www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/devastating-use-sexual-violence-weapon-war . Accessed 17 June 2023.

“Eliminating Violence against Women: The Case of Democratic Republic of Congo.” World Bank, 9 Dec. 2020, www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/12/09/eliminating-violence-against-women-the-case-of-democratic-republic-of-congo .

“Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies.” UNICEF, 18 May 2023, https://www.unicef.org/protection/gender-based-violence-in-emergencies .

“Myanmar’s Ongoing War against Women.” United States Institute of Peace, 9 June 2023, www.usip.org/publications/2021/11/myanmars-ongoing-war-against-women .

“Orange the World.” UN Women – Headquarters, www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/orange-the-world . Accessed 17 June 2023.

“Tackling Gender Based Violence in Fragile Contexts.” World Bank, 13 Mar. 2023, www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2023/03/07/tackling-gender-based-violence-in-fragile-contexts

“UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.” UN Women – Headquarters, www.unwomen.org/en/trust-funds/un-trust-fund-to-end-violence-against-women . Accessed 17 June 2023.

“What Is Gender-Based Violence - and How Do We Prevent It?” The IRC in the EU, www.rescue.org/eu/article/what-gender-based-violence-and-how-do-we-prevent-it#:~:text=Rape%20and%20sexual%20assault%20can,inequalities%20in%20the%20long%20term . Accessed 17 June 2023.

“Women’s Human Rights and Gender-Related Concerns in Situations of Conflict and Instability.” OHCHR, www.ohchr.org/en/women/womens-human-rights-and-gender-related-concerns-situations-conflict-and-instability . Accessed 17 June 2023.