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On 20 July 2018, CEDAW signed a framework of cooperation with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Under this framework of cooperation, CEDAW and the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict seek to advance the rights of women and girls by combating conflict-related sexual violence and supporting the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security and CEDAW’s General Recommendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations. Based on the framework of implementation, CEDAW and the SRSG-SVC have exchanged information on countries of concern that the two entities have been seized of under their respective mandates. In 2018 OHCHR supported the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, on her thematic report to the General Assembly on the gender dimension of trafficking in persons and on integrating a human rights- based approach to trafficking in persons in the women, peace and security agenda of the Security Council, where she strengthened the link between trafficking in persons and conflict-related sexual violence(A/73/171)
The OHCHR supported the Working Group on the Issue of Discrimination Against Women in Law and in Practice (WGDAW) in sending communications on individual cases and legislation/policies which are not in compliance with international human rights law. The Working Group addressed communications to Governments, individually or jointly with other mandate holders which concern a wide range of subjects falling within its mandate, including discriminatory legislation and practices, allegations of abuse of women human rights defenders and violations of their rights, gender-based violence and violations of the right to sexual and reproductive health (available at https://spcommreports.in.ohchr.org/Tmsearch/TMDocuments ). The Working Group also issued press releases, individually or jointly with other mandate holders, treaty bodies and regional mechanisms raising these issues (available at https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/NewsSearch.aspx?MID=WG_Women)
In Honduras, in September 2017, during a workshop organised with CEJIL for WHRD, a review of the main HR regarding of the interamerican and universal system regarding WHRD was developed. Also as part of their engagement in the drafting of the new Criminal Code, OHCHR provided technical assistance and accompaniment in their presentation of proposals before Congress, regarding crimes concerning violence against women and femicide.
In Gambia, OHCHR and the Government co-organized a workshop to adopt a national action plan on combatting VAW. The action plan enabled the inter-ministerial task force which acts as national mechanism on reporting and follow-up to treaty bodies
In Senegal, OHCHR in May 2017, a symposium with religious leaders on the rights of women and children in Islam using CRC and CEDAW recommendations as a basis for discussion. This event was particularly important to raise awareness on misperceptions about Islam and human rights and the importance of increasing knowledge on the human rights mechanisms where religious and traditional values play a major role and can have an impact on respect for human rights especially on Women and girl child.
In Liberia, OHCHR in efforts to support the Government in combatting impunity for SGBV crimes organized a consultative meeting in several cities with traditional and community leaders to discuss SGBV, its impact on society, and to establish linkages between remote communities and the formal SGBV response mechanisms through strong and engaged traditional and cultural structures.
At HQ level, OHCHR organised the following activities:
On 15 March, 2018 a side-event focusing specifically on sexual violence was organized at the HRC. The OHCHR Women’s Human Rights and Gender Section (WHRGS) provided support to the CoI by organizing a workshop with experts to help the Commission set-out its investigation plan on sexual and gender-based violence.
On 27 and 28 March, 2018 the WHRGS team hosted an expert workshop with various participants, such as UN entities and CSOs working on issues related to the protection of victims of sexual violence in a lessons learned exercise with the aim to identify best practices which will then be gathered in for internal and external use.
In Mali, OHCHR training military and government officials in relation to the prevention of CRSV by Malian actors. In 2017, 446 security officials, 132 members of the civil society organizations and 89 officials of the governmental institutions were trained to address and prevent CRSV.
In Ukraine, OHCHR documented and reported instances of CRSV, affecting women and men, both in the territory controlled by armed groups, and in Government-controlled territory. Following the release of the report in February 2017, OHCHR in Ukraine participated in 15 events to present the key findings of the report and recommendations. Overall approximately 495 people participated in these events at national and local levels from various groups – civil society, State institutions, international community. The report was instrumental to get the Government commitment to work towards addressing CRSV. OHCHR and UN Women helped the Government to develop the Strategy to prevent and address CRSV. In 2018, OHCHR and UN Women will continue joint work to integrate the developed Strategy to prevent and address CRSV into 1325 National Action Plan.
OHCHR-Guatemala provided technical assistance and closely followed up on key transitional justice cases in the country related to sexual violence committed during the armed conflict. This includes the Sepur Zarco case, in which two ex-military officials were found guilty (affirmed on appeal in July 2017), of crimes against humanity in the form of sexual violence and slavery against Q’eqchi’ women during the armed conflict and the ongoing Molina Theissen case, which involves the alleged 1981 rape of Emma Molina Theissen and the disappearance of her 14-year-old brother.
In 2017, the WG Discrimination against women and the Special Rapporteur on VAW sent out at least 71 communications on individual cases and legislation/policies not complying with international human rights law.
In Honduras, OHCHR has been monitoring cases of domestic violence, and the protection mechanisms for victims, including through protection shelters for women and girl’s victims or survivors of gender-based violence in several cities.
In CAR, OHCHR developed protection measures for victims of sexual violence and through engagement with key GBV actors.
In Haiti, OHCHR provided life skills trainings, psychosocial and rehabilitation activities for about 150 women in detention.
In Guatemala, 2017 OHCHR carried out monitoring on the human rights situation of women working in Guatemala’s two larges employment sectors - the textile industry (sweatshops) and agriculture – including with respect to situations of violence and a violation of labour rights. The Office also worked closely with the Ministry of Labour to address these issues, such as through joint labour inspections and the development of action protocols.
In Mali, OHCHR managed to fully establish the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) technical working group and strategic group that provides systematic, timely, reliable, and objective information on conflict-related sexual violence (which in Mali affects essentially women).
In DRC, the UNJHRO (United Nations Joint Human Rights Office) trained 37 medical doctors on sexual violence forensic expertise, 40 lawyers on the judicial assistance to victims of SGBV, 43 penal court registers’ and prosecution secretaries on the management and handling of SGBV files, 35 magistrates on sexual violence and SGBV related matters as well as protection of victims and witnesses and drafting of judgments. The UNJHRO also organised 3 workshops for magistrates on feminization of justice and fight against impunity of SGBV.
In Kosovo, OHCHR and technical partners provided key support services for survivors of gender based violence, including psychosocial counselling and psychotherapeutic services, legal aid and access to economic empowerment programs, benefitting more than 200 women in 2016. After a successful advocacy initiative involving OHCHR, North Mitrovica municipality allocated premises for a shelter for survivors of gender based violence. OHCHR further provided necessary equipment and furniture for the shelter and will organize capacity building of relevant staff who will work with survivors in the shelter. Moreover, OHCHR ensured sustainability of support services in 2017 and 2018 through technical support to a partner CSO in drafting a project proposal which was recently approved for funding by the EU.
In Latin America, OHCHR in coordination with UNDP Regional Virtual School, finalized the design of a self-learning on-line course on the Latin American Protocol for the investigation of gender-related killings of women. The virtual course was successfully tested by 28 participants from the region (academia, Judiciary, Public-Attorney’s Offices, forensics, psychologists and OHCHR staff). Related traning courses have been organised by OHCHR RGA in Panama, in Bolivia, and other countries from the region.
In Kosovo, OHCHR conducted research on potential conflict related SGBV (Sexual and Gender Based Violence) survivors among non-majority communities in Kosovo. The research included desk review of all relevant documents, meetings and interviews with all stakeholders that might possess information including governmental entities, victim associations, international organizations and religious communities. It enabled access to information about 51 potential non-majority survivors. The follow-up consist in contacting survivors and facilitating verification of status and subsequent access to reparation programs.
In Haiti, OHCHR implemented two CVR (Community Violence Reduction) projects to support women and girls victims of violence. The aim of these two projects is to construct two reception centers, in remote areas where women and girls can seek temporary shelter in order to receive psycho social, medical and legal aid.