The UN Security Council adopted a new resolution in June demanding that those engaged in conflict take action to halt rape and other forms of sexual violence against civilians. The ICRC's legal adviser on women and war, Jean-Marie Henckaerts, talks about the importance of this step and its likely impact.

Report summary. International expert meeting: Gender perspectives on International humanitarian law, Stockholm, Seweden, 4 - 5 October 2007

This document includes both the general and specific protection afforded to women under international humanitarian law, meaning that some of the legal provisions apply equally to men and women without adverse distinction, while others apply exclusively to women - Extract from the publication: Addressing the Needs of Women Affected by Armed Conflict: An ICRC Guidance Document

Building upon the ICRC study Women Facing War, this guidance document intends to translate the findings of the study into practical terms. Aimed at staff concerned with the planning and implementation of humanitarian programmes, this document is intended as a means of sharing ICRC's experience in this area with other organisations. It is an important tool which can be used to address women's needs on an operational level, illustrating best practices and lessons learned.

This ICRC study is an extensive reference document on the impact of armed conflict on the lives of women. Taking as its premise the needs of women, e.g. physical safety, access to health care, food and shelter, in situations of armed conflict, the study explores the problems faced by women in wartime and the coping mechanisms they employ. A thorough analysis of international humanitarian law, and to a lesser extent human rights and refugee law, was carried out as a means to assess the protection afforded to women through these bodies of law. The study also includes a review of the ICRC's operational response to the needs of women as victims of armed conflict. Overview of contents and executive summary

“IHL takes a particular male perspective on armed conflict, as a norm against which to measure equality. In a world where women are not equals of men, and armed conflict impacts upon men and women in a fundamentally different way, a general category of rules that is not inclusive of the reality for women cannot respond to their situation.”

United Nations, General Assembly, 62nd session, Third Committee, Item 63 (a) of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 15-17 Octobre 2007