Preventing sexual violence in conflict
Saferworld's submission to the Lords Select Committee on Sexual Violence in Conflict
This submission brings together Saferworld’s research and expertise on the causes and means to prevent sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in conflict-affected and fragile states, and the importance of identifying and addressing the root causes of conflict.
Summary of recommendations to the Committee:
- Question the UK government on how it is taking a holistic approach to preventing SGBV that considers and directly responds to the causes of SGBV, including conflict, while being sensitive to the needs of survivors and the challenges they face.
- Determine whether conflict analysis has been conducted in all operational countries and whether it has been used to adapt policy and inform programmes on SGBV.
- Ensure the UK government conducts a gender analysis as part of every conflict analysis process.
- Ask the UK government about what evidence of gender-sensitive upstream conflict prevention has been generated, and how progress on implementation has been assessed in country.
- Ensure that the UK government supports women’s leadership and meaningful participation through UK financial and diplomatic support to women’s rights and peacebuilding organisations from conflict-affected and fragile states.
- Encourage the UK government to ensure gender and conflict is integrated into future international summits, conferences and meetings relevant to peace, security and development.
