Central African Republic
The Central African Republic (CAR) has been engulfed in violent armed conflict since 2013, and conflict-related insecurity has left women and girls vulnerable to forced marriage, abduction, and especially sexual and gender-based violence; according to the International Development Monitoring Centre, 68% of girls in CAR are married before the age of eighteen. Women in the CAR continue to be largely excluded from peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts and have even been subjected to violence perpetrated by UN peacekeepers. Deployed in April 2014, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA)is mandated to protect women, monitor and report on violations against women, adhere to the zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, ensure women’s full participation in conflict resolution and elections, and incorporate gender as a cross-cutting issue. To further this progress, based on the work of NGOWG members and their partners, the NGOWG advocates for more thorough monitoring of UN peacekeepers in CAR to ensure that no exploitation and abuse occurs on their watch.
Central African Republic
The Central African Republic (CAR) has been engulfed in violent armed conflict since 2013, and conflict-related insecurity has left women and girls vulnerable to forced marriage, abduction, and especially sexual and gender-based violence; according to the International Development Monitoring Centre, 68% of girls in CAR are married before the age of eighteen.
Women in the CAR continue to be largely excluded from peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts and have even been subjected to violence perpetrated by UN peacekeepers. Deployed in April 2014, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) is mandated to protect women, monitor and report on violations against women, adhere to the zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, ensure women’s full participation in conflict resolution and elections, and incorporate gender as a cross-cutting issue. To further this progress, based on the work of NGOWG members and their partners, the NGOWG advocates for more thorough monitoring of UN peacekeepers in CAR to ensure that no exploitation and abuse occurs on their watch.
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
Central African Republic and Chad (January 2011)
The withdrawal of the UN Mission to Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) is due for completion by 31 December as per SCR 1923 (2010). Given the history of insecurity and human rights violations, there is great concern about a potential ensuing crisis for civilians. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees for example has largely depended on the Mission to provide security for supplies to some 3,500 Sudanese refugees at Sam Ouandja, in CAR. In eastern Chad, the UN has reported continuing human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence. The Council is urged to ensure that:
- The protection of civilians and humanitarian assistance in places previously served by MINURCAT and elsewhere is addressed by the governments of Chad and CAR in order to protect civilians, in particular displaced women and girls.
- The Chad and CAR governments are held to account for any failure to deliver on their protection responsibilities.
- International partners are encouraged to focus on building the capacity of the CAR and Chad authorities to protect civilians and develop an independent and impartial judiciary.
The withdrawal of the UN Mission to Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) is due for completion by 31 December as per SCR 1923 (2010). Given the history of insecurity and human rights violations, there is great concern about a potential ensuing crisis for civilians. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees for example has largely depended on the Mission to provide security for supplies to some 3,500 Sudanese refugees at Sam Ouandja, in CAR. In eastern Chad, the UN has reported continuing human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence. The Council is urged to ensure that:
- The protection of civilians and humanitarian assistance in places previously served by MINURCAT and elsewhere is addressed by the governments of Chad and CAR in order to protect civilians, in particular displaced women and girls.
- The Chad and CAR governments are held to account for any failure to deliver on their protection responsibilities.
- International partners are encouraged to focus on building the capacity of the CAR and Chad authorities to protect civilians and develop an independent and impartial judiciary.
Relevant Resources
