BETWEEN WAR AND PEACE: Gender-Based Violence and the Response of International Human Rights Institutions

Abstract

Gender-based violence in contexts of war constitutes one of the most persistent and neglected human rights violations, disproportionately affecting women and girls. This article analyzes, from a legalinternational and critical perspective, the response of international institutions to gender-based violence in armed conflicts, focusing on the contemporary wars in Palestine and Sudan. The objective is to understand the effectiveness of the protection mechanisms established in the Rome Statute and, in particular, in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), which marks its 25th anniversary in October 2025. The methodology is based on bibliographical research, including the analysis of legal articles, UN reports, and decisions of the International Criminal Court. In this context, although international law has advanced in recognizing sexual crimes and gender-based violence as war crimes and crimes against humanity, institutional responses still lack effectiveness, especially in the face of prolonged and politically complex conflicts. Finally, the study advocates for strengthening the gender perspective in international justice and for the need for a structural reform of multilateral institutions to ensure real protection and reparation for victims.