Sexual Violence against Women in Armed Conflict: A Neglected Crime in International Humanitarian Legal Framework

Throughout history, women and girls have been frequently targeted for abuse, particularly sexual violence, during armed conflict. They've also been left out of efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts. Despite the increased risk of violence faced by women in armed conflict, they are frequently ignored in policy and programming, leaving them out of decision-making processes and unable to access supports. They continue to face many problems despite growing awareness and activism at the local and international levels. Women are frequently kept out of Security Council negotiations and peace talks due to a lack of high-level leadership committed to incorporating women's rights. Grassroots organisations working on local-level peacebuilding and service provision for women have a hard time getting adequate and continuous support. As a result, this research paper begins by looking at definitional aspect of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The paper then explores the history of wartime sexual conflict and the response of international humanitarian flagbearers towards this issue and sexual violence survivors. Third, the paper examines silences in the international sphere on sexual violence, focusing on how hidden interests guarantee that the status quo continues unquestioned. Finally, the implications of these findings for humanitarian practise are examined, and recommendations are offered for how to proceed in order to achieve more realistic and achievable humanitarian action.