Home Press Room

Security Council Resolution 1888

Women, Peace and Security: United Nations Works to Protect Women and Girls

The United Nations Security Council has taken another step forward in global efforts to end violence perpetrated against women and children in conflict. The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution September 30, 2009 urging member states to take effective steps to halt the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war. Resolution 1888, sponsored by the United States, which holds the presidency of the Security Council this month, calls for a Special Representative to the Secretary General, who is charged with driving and coordinating the UN’s efforts to address sexual violence in conflict, efforts which have been sorely lacking. The Security Council must now ensure this leader has a strong mandate to deal substantively with women, peace and security issues, thus ensuring the effectiveness of the position. This resolution builds upon two previous resolutions on Women, Peace and Security: 1325 and 1820.

Representing the United States and leading the Security Council in their vote on SCR 1888, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: “The dehumanizing nature of sexual violence doesn’t just harm a single individual or a single family or even a single village or a single group. It shreds the fabric that weaves us together as human beings, it endangers families and communities, erodes social and political stability, and undermines economic progress. We need to understand that it holds all of us back.”

Displaced Women and Girls at Risk of Sexual Violence

Sexual violence affects millions of people, particularly women and girls. This is exacerbated in conflicts and in situations of displacement. Sexual violence is frequently a military tactic used by armed groups to terrify opponents, demoralize individuals, destroy families and communities, and force families to flee their homes. This type of violence takes many forms, including sexual slavery, kidnapping, forced recruitment, forced prostitution and, most commonly, rape.

In situations of displacement, refugee women and girls must venture out of their camps in search of firewood and food. Every time they leave their camps they are at risk of rape, beatings, even death.

Sexual violence during conflict remains vastly under-addressed due to weak national mechanisms for the protection of women and inadequate health and social support services. Many still view sexual violence as an inevitable, if regrettable, consequence of conflict and displacement.

Women's Refugee Commission's Key Role in UN Resolutions

The Women’s Refugee Commission has been working on these issues for many years through our advocacy work at the United Nations Security Council, our fuel and firewood initiative and reproductive health program. With the adoption of this new resolution, we celebrate the fact that some of these efforts have been realized.

In 2000, we, as a member of the Women, Peace and Security Working Group, along with other women’s human rights defenders and peace organizations, successfully advocated for the landmark Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Resolution 1325 demands better protection and promotion of women's human rights in conflict situations and seeks to ensure their engagement in matters of peace and security.

We also advocated for and welcomed the follow-up resolution 1820, adopted in 2008, to advance efforts to prevent and respond to the use of sexual violence. Security Council Resolution 1820 states that sexual violence is a crime that concerns the entire international community and is a security issue that demands a security response. UNSCR 1820 states unequivocally that “rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity or a constitutive act with respect to genocide.” It outlines the fact that the prevention of sexual violence is inseparable from the empowerment of women. Women must be consulted and closely involved in all measures taken on their behalf.

These resolutions have resulted in a greater awareness of the specific concerns of women and girls in conflict. An increasing number of authorities at the international and national levels have since demonstrated political will to address their obligations highlighted in 1325 and 1820. Tangible, positive change in the lives of most of these women and girls nevertheless remains elusive, particularly regarding their protection from sexual violence in conflict, and their participation in peace talks.