November 25th: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls

November 25, 2024 – Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 5:00

The following information may bring up difficult emotions. If you or someone you know needs support, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Center's 24/7 Response and Support Line at 1-844-750-1648 where you can speak with a counsellor.

The Canadian Armed Forces' role in preventing and responding to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

In the last few years, conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, South Sudan and elsewhere have led to a noticeable increase in the use of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) as a deliberate tactic of war. At the same time, there are high rates of intimate partner violence and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) within our own country as well as globally. As an institution charged with the protection of civilians and also as a force to model appropriate behaviours, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) needs to be better aware of the weaponization and proliferation of sexual violence directed against women, men, boys, girls, and gender-diverse people, and also develop tools to support their roles in preventing SGBV, on the global stage and in Canada.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign, which extends from November 25 to 10 December 2024, begins with the International Day of Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls. While different forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) impact all genders, it disproportionately affects women and girls around the world. However, a largely silent and taboo phenomenon is the use of SGBV against men, boys, and gender-diverse people during times of conflict. Little to no reporting has hindered measurement of these incidents.

Taboos and prevention

The taboos and gender biases encountered when unpacking instances of SGBV highlight the importance of using intersectional analysis to understand, address, and mitigate against various forms of violence. Many social factors contribute to a range of SGBV in private and public spaces, during peace and in conflict or crisis.

Prevention of SGBV begins with understanding who perpetuates sexual violence in conflict zones and why. Deployed CAF members need to be familiar with what role the military can play to prevent SGBV during operations – not only through protection in theatre but also through the early use of intelligence data during planning. For example, the United Nations has developed gender-responsive early warning indicators for its peacekeeping operations, which identify the risk and incidence of SGBV. These indicators – which help discern the targeting of local groups with SGBV – can be used by military commanders while planning operations amid worsening insecurity.

Ongoing and future Defence Team efforts

Canada's Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security 2023-2029 includes a focus on prevention of and response to SGBV. Initiatives by the Defence Team have sought to better understand the role of the military in prevention and response to various forms of violence – including CRSV, sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual assault/harassment – and to develop tools for members to address them.

During the past two years, the Defence Team has also looked inwards to address sexual misconduct, including conduct deficiencies of a sexual nature, harassment of a sexual nature, and crimes of a sexual nature at the systemic level. Support services to help those impacted by sexual trauma - currently serving and former CAF members, DND public service employees, Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers - have been increased. In addition, new learning tools such as the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Spectrum (accessible only on the National Defence network) can help Defence Team members identify what is considered acceptable conduct that contributes to a safe and inclusive workplace versus behaviours that are considered conduct deficiencies or criminal acts of a sexual nature.

What can I do?

As advocates of ethics, integrity, and justice, the Defence Team must lead and set the standard for women's rights and international human rights. Members can renew their engagement against SGBV within their spheres of influence – at work, in their local communities, across Canada, and during operations abroad – through their day-to-day support of and participation in a psychologically safe environment, and by modelling appropriate behaviours upholding the CAF Ethos, DND/CAF Code of Values and Ethics, and international human rights. SGBV is one of the worst symptoms of gender inequality and power imbalance, and each one of us can improve security by recognizing and reducing the existence and impact of SGBV.