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Issues: Gender-Based Violence

Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is any act of violence directed at individuals or groups of individuals based on their gender.  GBV includes any act of violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to a person, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivations of liberty.  Gender-based violence undermines not only human rights, but also threatens public health, economic stability, and security. In 2012 the United States released the Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Globally, advancing U.S. efforts to raise the status of women and girls around the world. 

Gender-Based Violence News

Remarks
USUN Opposing a UN General Assembly Amendment to Delay the Mandate of the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Dec 19, 2016 | U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Samantha Power
The U.S. also believes that the resolution creating the Independent Expert to address violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is well-merited by the facts on the ground. For who here today would argue that LGBTI people are treated equally around their world, or that they are not subject to violence and discrimination? Nobody can argue that on the basis of the facts. This is a world we live in which, according to a report issued in 2015 by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “the overall picture remains one of continuing, pervasive, violent abuse, harassment, and discrimination affecting LGBT and intersex persons in all regions…often perpetrated with impunity.” ...Read More
Press Release
Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada
Dec 12, 2016 | Office of the Vice President

The Vice President met today with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa, where they discussed the importance of maintaining and expanding the world's most comprehensive trade relationship. The two leaders underscored the breadth and depth of bilateral cooperation on a range of global issues, including their commitment to NATO, the counter-ISIL campaign, supporting Ukraine, and combating global climate change. The Prime Minister highlighted his initiatives to improve the welfare of Canada's First Nations and praised ...Read More
Remarks
USUN Remarks at a UN Security Council Open Arria-Formula Meeting on Women, Peace and Security
Dec 5, 2016 | U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Michele Sison

Thank you, Mr. Glemarec, Ms. Patten, and Ms. Cabrera-Balleza, for your briefings today; and of course, thank you also Ambassador Rosselli for bringing us together this morning on such an important issue as Women, Peace and Security.

In 1979, the authors of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW, recognized a truth that is at the core of the Women, Peace and Security agenda – that truth is that ...Read More
Press Release
Presidential Proclamation: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Dec 2, 2016 | President Barack Obama
Additionally, we created the first-ever Special Advisor for International Disability Rights, and we established the United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally in order to address violence against women and girls around the world -- because women with a disability are more likely to experience physical and sexual abuse than women without one. And last year, we committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which recognize inclusive education, disability employment, and social acceptance of the disability community as important steps to ending world poverty. ...Read More
Press Release
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Nov 25, 2016 | Secretary of State John Kerry

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the United States reaffirms our belief that gender-based violence is never acceptable, that women and girls have the right to live free from violence, and that countries are stronger when homes, neighborhoods, and communities are safe for everyone.

Over the past year—indeed, throughout history—there have been far too many brutal acts of violence against women and girls. While some of these cases have captured ...Read More
Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet: U.S. Efforts To Support Women's Economic Empowerment in APEC
Nov 18, 2016 | Office of the Spokesperson

Today Secretary Kerry announced that the United States intends to work jointly with Chinese Taipei to support the creation of an APEC sub-fund on women and the economy. The announcement came at a breakfast celebrating five years of effort within APEC to advance women’s economic participation. Through the sub-fund, APEC economies would be able to apply for funding to support new or existing APEC initiatives focused specifically on women’s economic empowerment.

The breakfast marked the ...Read More
Remarks
USUN on the UN General Assembly Third Committee Resolution on the Situation in Syria
Nov 15, 2016 | U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Michele Sison
The resolution rightly condemns the Assad regime’s ongoing, widespread practice of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, severe movement restrictions, and sexual and gender based violence, exploitation, and torture of tens of thousands of Syrians. The detainees include women, children, doctors, humanitarian aid providers, human rights defenders, and journalists. The resolution in particular calls attention to abuses in the government’s notorious intelligence branch facilities which have been reported on extensively by the UN Commission of Inquiry... ...Read More
Remarks
UPR 26th Session-Intervention for South Sudan
Nov 7, 2016 | U.S. Delegation to the UN Human Rights Council
U.S. recommends that South Sudan: 1) Enable the full deployment – without obstruction – of the Regional Protection Force, as authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 2304, to bring stability and help prevent further atrocities; 2) Fulfill its obligation under the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan to cooperate fully in establishing the Hybrid Court; and 3) Establish an open, consultative process for drafting and ratifying a new constitution, under which new elections will be held at the end of the transitional period. ...Read More
Remarks
UPR 26th Session-Intervention for Moldova
Nov 4, 2016 | U.S. Delegation to the UN Human Rights Council
U.S. recommends that Moldova: 1) Implement reforms in the rule of law sphere to ensure fairness and due process, combat corruption, and improve transparency throughout the legal process; 2) Improve the conditions of detention in police stations and prisons and effectively investigate credible allegations of abuse, consistent with the UN Convention against Torture; and 3) Increase professional training and adopt guidelines for improving the conduct of police, prosecution, and courts in investigating bias-motivated crimes and cases of domestic violence. ...Read More
Remarks
USUN Remarks to the UN General Assembly on Agenda Item 63: Report of the Human Rights Council
Nov 4, 2016 | U.S. Representative for Economic and Social Affairs, Ambassador Sarah Mendelson
We also must remember that civil society organizations and governments work courageously in all regions to protect the human rights of all persons – regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Our actions on the Africa Group’s resolution at the Third Committee and Plenary will have significant implications for their work. We must continue to uphold dignity and fundamental freedoms for all persons. ...Read More

Featured Photo

  • Thread Singer Fergie speaks at the launch of the Gender-Based Violence Emergency Response and Protection Initiative, March 2014.

Fact Sheet

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DipNote

  • Thread Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict: Turning Commitment into Action

    Time and again, we hear horrific accounts of violence perpetrated against women in conflicts around the world. But this violence is not inevitable. The United States is committed to addressing this important issue diplomatically and financially — and it is not alone. 

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