Congolese general and M23 rebel leader Bosco Ntaganda appeared for the first time before the International Criminal Court (ICC) this week.  An indictment for Ntaganda’s arrest was first issued seven years ago.  The charges against him include murder, rape, sexual slavery, and conscription of children committed in 2002-2003 in northern Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the Campaign’s focus countries.  His arrest and appearance in court are major victories in the struggle against impunity for perpetrators of mass sexual violence.

Michelle Bachelet, the founding Executive Director of UN Women, announced her resignation last week during the closing address to the Commission on the Status of Women.

Last week, the United Nations 57^th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) came to a close in New York with agreed conclusions on ending violence against women and girls. 

For women from eastern Congo, leaving the village or camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to go harvest the fields or look for firewood frequently puts them at risk of sexual violence, including rape, by rebel groups, soldiers or unscrupulous civilians, as well as discrimination and social marginalisation daily.

Guest Post by Akila Radhakrishnan, Senior Counsel at the Global Justice Center

As we continue into the second week of the 57th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the conference this year focuses on the “elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls.” This has included a significant number of debates, side events and panels devoted to sexual violence in conflict.

As the 57th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women enters its second week, the International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence in Conflict calls on member states to conclude negotiations with a strong statement that will prioritize action to end violence against women.

Read the letter sent to member states participating in negotiations at the Commission below or download a PDF version.

As the Darfur conflict enters its 10th year, widespread rape and gender violence is still ongoing in the region. The war continues to have a devastating impact on the communities, claiming the lives of an estimated 300,000 people and displacing millions of others.

Guest post by Campaign member Sarah Tofte

The International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence in Conflict is attending the United Nations 57th Commission on the Status of Women this week. On Tuesday, March 5 we gathered grassroots activists at the forefront of the Campaign to discuss strategies for success in a panel open to the public and CSW delegates. Read reflections from the panel by Campaign member Sarah Tofte.

Due to the tireless efforts of Campaign Advisory Committee member AIDS-Free World and their partners, South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority and the Police Service will investigate Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's political party for systematic rape in the lead-up to Zimbabwe's elections in 2008.

Guest Post by Walaa Salah, Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa

As part of the International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence in Conflict delegation to the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, on January 22-23, the delegation’s members from across Africa were offered attendance to a pre-summit side event, the Gender is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC).