Peacekeeping and Stability Operations in

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) refers to violent acts of a sexual nature, including rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization, mutilation, indecent assault, trafficking, inappropriate medical examinations, and strip searches. CRSV frequently occurs when undisciplined militaries, police forces, or other armed groups believe they can act with impunity against vulnerable individuals. Peacekeepers, in conjunction with other actors, must ensure that sexual violence is addressed as a major area of focus and is routinely incorporated into their Protection of Civilians (PoC) efforts. CRSV frequently occurs during and after armed conflict, and is common within fragile states. It is impossible to obtain a safe and secure environment with adequate protection of civilians if CRSV is a widespread problem. Sexual violence is often a component of genocide, mass atrocities, and crimes against humanity and may occur as part of a deliberate and systematic campaign to target a victim group (for example, to destroy families and communities or to support ethnic cleansing from an area). It may also occur in a more decentralized fashion due to a general lack of security and stability. Sexual violence is a crime and should not be dismissed simply as a social problem. However, CRSV is a problem that persons in authority too easily overlook. While CRSV is often assumed to be directed against women and girls, CRSV also includes assaults against men and boys. The threat of CRSV also has an adverse effect, as potential victims may avoid necessary activities such as travelling, working, farming, obtaining water, or collecting firewood if they are vulnerable when doing so.

Development of a comprehensive, multi-sector anti-corruption strategy is essential in the fight against corruption in a post-conflict environment, due to its often weak or fragile institutional frameworks. The business of developing an anti-corruption strategy may include: - identifying and assessing the causes and vulnerabilities for corruption- establishing reliable government/public finance systems for budgeting, procurement, and tax administration- strengthening legal frameworks, procedures, and ethics- creating accountability and tracking mechanisms - both within and outside government- working closely with donors on accountability and transparency- training civil servants on anti-corruption- addressing and monitoring the delivery of government servicesThrough such anti-corruption mechanisms, practices, and cadres, post-conflict countries have a far greater chance of curbing corruption, gaining stability, and achieving economic and social development than otherwise. To win the fight against corruption, it is imperative that civilian and military Stability Ops planners/practitioners, donor staffs, and host nation officials work together to develop, implement, and coordinate appropriate anti-corruption practices and actions, and that they commit to monitor this effort over time

Protection of Civilians (PoC) must be considered and integrated during all military operations, including Peace Support Operations (PSO) and Major Operations during Armed Conflict (MOAC). Civilians are protected persons under international law, and parties to a conflict have a legal obligation to protect civilians from the conflict's effects. Additionally, PoC is a major objective of many military operations and is frequently includedin peace support mandates. There is, nevertheless, a lack of clarity and common understanding about PoC and how to achieve it. Many recent studies have noted that civilians are the people most at risk during armed conflict and peacekeeping operations have often not protected civilians effectively. These studies have identified numerous problems including inadequate mandates; a lack of applicable doctrine; differing views on what PoC includes; challenges in integrating the diverse set of military, police, and civilian actors required forPoC; and a lack of the necessary capabilities. This PoC Military Reference Guide is intended to be a resource for military commanders and staffs who must consider PoC while conducting operations in PSO and MOAC contexts as shown below. Other interested readers may include international organizations, national militaries, training centers, and civilian and police officials who are also concerned with PoC.