Data Collection, Analysis and Research

WHO has carried out a multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence against women, aimed at enhancing availability of reliable data on the root causes, magnitude, and consequences of violence against women and facilitating the search for solutions. A report summarizing initial data from Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, Japan, Namibia, Peru, Samoa, Serbia & Montenegro, Thailand and the United Republic of Tanzania was published in 2005; other countries are replicating the methodology (Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Maldives and New Zealand). WHO has also published ‘Putting women first: ethical and safety recommendations for research on domestic violence against women’ (2001), as well as a package of study materials, including the protocol, survey instruments and training manuals for implementing the Study. Based on the experience gained with the Study, WHO is contributing to the development of indicators and survey methodology on violence against women. Hide

In 2004, WFP collected data in 28 country offices in the framework of its Enhanced Commitment to Women Baseline Survey Initiative, and qualitative data to complement the surveys in 6 more countries, of which some were conducted in collaboration with UNHCR. The surveys determined the awareness levels of male and female beneficiaries of: the fact that they are not to provide any favour in exchange for receiving food; and the channels available to them to report cases of abuse linked to food distribution. Hide

The issue of violence against women was thoroughly investigated during the last Food Security and Nutrition assessment by WFP in Darfur, Sudan, and a specific section on physical insecurity and gender-related violence was added into the final assessment report. Hide

IOM conducts and supports research designed to guide and inform migration policy and practice, with a special focus on violence against women, not only in counter-trafficking studies, but also in labour migration and in emergency and post-conflict research. Hide

In the area of counter-trafficking, IOM undertakes research and publishes the findings about the situation of trafficking in specific countries and/or regions. A recent publication gave an assessment of changing patterns and trends of trafficking in persons in the Balkan region. IOM also maintains one of the largest international trafficking database which contains health related information to facilitate planning and programmatic actions. Hide

FAO supported the incorporation of gender perspectives in agricultural censuses and surveys in several FAO Member countries. Hide

In January 2006, UNESCO, in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Women’s Affairs, established a Palestinian Women’s Research and Documentation Center. The first of its kind in an Arab country, outside North Africa, this institution serves as both a documentation and resource centre and as an observatory. It is devoted to research on gender equality and human rights with an emphasis on women’s rights legislation, the causes and consequences of poverty among women, violence against women and women’s participation in political life. Hide

UNESCO (Social and Human Science Section) undertakes research on the causes and social structures that foster violence against women. As part of its research activities for the ten-year review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, UNESCO produced a conceptual framework for qualitative and quantitative information on women’s empowerment. One of the 7 sets of indicators pertains to women’s bodily integrity and health, including data on the prevalence of female genital mutilation; sexual abuse of women; and physical abuse against women by an intimate partner. Hide

In the framework of its project to fight human trafficking in Africa, UNESCO carries out research on factors leading to human trafficking in 6 pilot countries (Benin, Nigeria, Togo, Lesotho, Mozambique and South Africa) and proposes concrete recommendations. Hide

ESCWA published Social and Economic Situation of Palestinian Women 2000-2006, which analyses the close links between increased poverty and social burdens and increased domestic violence against women. Hide