How is Sexual Violence Used as a Weapon in War?
Sexual violence continues to be employed as a tactic of war and a tool of political repression. Conflict-related gender violence is widespread, encompassing a range of human rights violations affecting women and girls. Sexual violence in armed conflict is used for many different purposes, including as a a tool of political repression, a tool of economic exploitation, a mechanism of domination, a weapon of war, and an element of genocide.
Sexual violence violates the most basic of human rights, and its effects resonate long after the act. Oppressors have used sexual violence in a brutal and calculated way to punish women and girls. Prosecutions are difficult to achieve as there is a lack of evidence and support from law enforcement agencies and international bodies. Some recent examples of the use of sexual violence in war include:
Thousands of women and girls were imprisoned and enslaved by armed groups such as ISIL who created a slave market where they bought and sold Yazidi women and girls, generating profits for the armed group. Women and girls were subjected to repeated sexual violence, including rape.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, decades of conflict resulted in widespread conflict-related sexual violence and other serious human rights violations.
In Myanmar, security forces are accused of targeting Rohingya women and girls in what is widely seen as genocide.
During the Bosnian War, some estimates for the number of women and girls raped in ‘rape camps’ during the conflict are estimated to be above 50,000.
During the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, Human Rights Watch said it may never be know how many women were raped.
International Legal Framework on Sexual Violence in War
International law prohibits sexual violence and classifies it as a serious violation of human rights. Customary law and international conventions establish the prohibition of sexual violence as a norm of customary international law, and acts of sexual violence can be charged as a crime against humanity, genocide, war crime, or grave breach of the Geneva Conventions.
The Geneva Conventions of 1949 mandate special protections for women against any attack on their honour, particularly against rape, enforced prostitution, or any form of indecent assault. Additional Protocols to the Geneva Convention also condemn outrages against personal dignity, enforced prostitution, and any other form of sexual assault.
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the hybrid Special Court for Sierra Leone, and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia have classified acts of rape and sexual violence as crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity. Despite the absence of explicit reference to sexual violence in their charters, the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal and Tokyo Tribunal recognize sexual atrocities such as mass rapes.
In conclusion, international law establishes clear prohibitions and legal consequences for sexual violence, recognizing it as a severe violation of human rights and a public tool of war.
How Can Girls Advocate to End Sexual Violence in Conflict?
Ending sexual violence in conflict is a critical endeavor that requires collective action and a comprehensive approach. Girls, as important stakeholders in society, can play a significant role in addressing and combating this pervasive issue. Here are some ways in which girls can contribute to ending sexual violence in conflict:
Education and Awareness: Girls can actively participate in raising awareness about the issue by engaging in discussions, organizing events, and sharing information. They can educate themselves and others on the consequences of sexual violence, challenging social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence.
Empowering Girls and Women: By promoting gender equality and empowering girls and women, we can address the root causes of sexual violence. Girls can advocate for their rights and access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, which can help break the cycle of violence and promote self-reliance.
Building Support Networks: Girls can create safe spaces where survivors can share their experiences and seek support. By establishing networks and organizations, they can provide counseling, legal aid, and medical assistance to survivors of sexual violence, helping them heal and rebuild their lives.
Engaging with Authorities: Girls can actively engage with local and international authorities to advocate for stronger legal frameworks and policies that protect survivors of sexual violence. They can participate in community dialogues and engage with decision-makers to ensure that justice is served and perpetrators are held accountable.
Media and Technology: Girls can use media and technology platforms to amplify their voices, share stories of survivors (only with their permission), and demand action. They can leverage social media, documentaries, and other mediums to raise awareness and mobilize public opinion against sexual violence in conflict.
Promoting Peace and Conflict Resolution: Girls can actively engage in peacebuilding efforts, promoting dialogue, and nonviolent conflict resolution. By addressing the underlying causes of conflict and advocating for peaceful solutions, they can contribute to reducing the occurrence of sexual violence in conflict situations.
In conclusion, girls have immense potential to make a difference in ending sexual violence in conflict.