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WPS Resolution Analysis

UN Security Council Resolution 1960 on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

UNSCR 1960 established monitoring, analysis, and reporting arrangements including the naming and shaming list of parties credibly suspected of CRSV.

Adopted16 Dec 2010VoteUnanimous (15-0)Main themeCRSVKey instrumentMARA FrameworkBuilds onUNSCR 1888 (2009)Followed byUNSCR 2106 (2013)
Why was this resolution needed?

Despite UNSCRs 1820 and 1888, systematic data on conflict-related sexual violence remained scarce. The Security Council lacked the structured intelligence to identify perpetrators, track patterns, or target sanctions. Reports of sexual violence were anecdotal and inconsistent across UN missions.

UNSCR 1960 was designed to close this information gap by creating a structured monitoring framework — the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) — and by establishing a formal list of parties credibly suspected of committing CRSV.

What does it actually say?
Naming and shaming list
Establishes a list of parties credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of sexual violence.
MARA framework
Creates the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements framework for tracking CRSV data.
Annual reporting
Requests the Secretary-General to include a detailed list of parties suspected of CRSV in the annual report.
Sanctions referral
Allows for referral of listed parties to UN Sanctions Committees.
What's new — what did it change?

UNSCR 1960 introduced the most controversial and potentially powerful accountability mechanism in the WPS arsenal: a public list naming parties to conflict that commit sexual violence. This naming and shaming mechanism was designed to create reputational costs for perpetrators and to enable targeted sanctions.

The MARA framework standardised how CRSV data is collected across UN peacekeeping missions, political missions, and country teams — creating the first coherent global picture of conflict-related sexual violence.

Common misconceptions
Myth
The naming and shaming list has no real effect — it is just a bureaucratic exercise.
Reality
The list has had measurable impact. Several armed groups have sought removal from the list through engagement with the UN, and the threat of being named has led some parties to negotiate Action Plans to end sexual violence. The list also provides critical evidence for sanctions committees and human rights mechanisms.
Pillar relevance
Protection
Core — naming perpetrators creates accountability for sexual violence
Prevention
MARA framework enables early warning of CRSV patterns
Participation
Indirect — data supports women's advocacy for protection
Relief & Recovery
Indirect — documentation supports transitional justice
Read the original resolution — UN Document Portal