<P> IHL emphasises, in various provisions in the GCs and APs, the concept of formal equality and non-discrimination . Protections should be provided "without any adverse distinction founded on sex". For example, with regard to female prisoners of war, women are required to receive treatment "as favourable as that granted to men". In addition to claims of formal equality, IHL mandates special protections to women, providing female prisoners of war with separate dormitories from men, for example, and prohibiting sexual violence against women . </P> <P> The reality of women's and men's lived experiences of conflict has highlighted some of the gender limitations of IHL . Feminist critics have challenged IHL's focus on male combatants and its relegation of women to the status of victims, and its granting them legitimacy almost exclusively as child - rearers . A study of the 42 provisions relating to women within the Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols found that almost half address women who are expectant or nursing mothers . Others have argued that the issue of sexual violence against men in conflict has not yet received the attention it deserves . </P> <P> Soft - law instruments have been relied on to supplement the protection of women in armed conflict: </P> <Ul> <Li> UN Security Council Resolutions 1888 and 1889 (2009), which aim to enhance the protection of women and children against sexual violations in armed conflict; and </Li> <Li> Resolution 1325, which aims to improve the participation of women in post-conflict peacebuilding . </Li> </Ul>

Which of the following is not a salient feature of modern law