Prevention, Including Awareness Raising and Advocacy

In 2005, IOM’s Working Group on Gender Issues at Headquarters supported the production of a series of TV public service announcements for anglo-phone Caribbean countries on HIV/AIDS prevention and a documentary for Senegalese television on trafficking of children. Many of IOM’s counter-trafficking projects include information campaigns that aim to change behaviour related to discrimination and violence against women.In collaboration with UNFPA, IOM organized, in May 2006, an expert group meeting entitled "Female migrants: bridging the gaps throughout the life cycle", which brought together a wide range of stakeholders from countries of origin, transit and destination Protection of migrant women against violence was part of the agenda. Hide

Specific attention is paid in UNHCR’s work to involving more male staff and refugees, including youth, in understanding, preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence. Hide

UNHCR focuses its awareness and outreach programmes on people of concern, UNHCR staff and partners. UNHCR operations participate in the annual campaign “16 days of activism against gender violence” and use several community-based mechanisms to increase awareness about sexual and gender-based violence. Specific programmes have also mobilized men and boys on preventing and responding to SGBV. Hide

In the area of education, UNESCO has produced peace education kits and training in non-violent conflict resolution, which also aim to reduce violence against women (e.g: Education for a Culture of Peace in a Gender Perspective (training manual) in English (2001) and French (2003).UNESCO seeks to promote gender equality in primary and secondary education through curriculum reform. On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UNESCO organized an International Round Table “School related gender-based violence (SRGBV): role and responsibility of stakeholders” (Nov 2006). As a follow up to the conference, SRGBV is being integrated in the work undertaken in Western and Central Africa in the context of UN Girls’ Education Initiative. A module on SRGBV was added to the training of trainers guide developed by UNESCO on the mainstreaming of gender in education systems for the 6 countries of the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO).In the area of communication and information, UNESCO created a digital library, in Kazakh and Russian, in Kazakhstan. The library gives women free access to databases which contain more than 1000 legal documents related to human rights issues. In the area of culture, and within the context of its project “Culturally appropriate approaches to HIV/AIDS”, UNESCO is undertaking activities to raise public awareness on traditional attitudes and practices that are harmful to women’s health or put them at risk of infection, such as domestic violence (notably in Central Asia and the Caucasus). UNESCO works in rural areas in Kyrgyzstan to raise awareness about bride abduction among rural communities as a violation of women’s rights.UNESCO participates in international and regional conferences/campaigns, including the Celebration of International Women’s Day 2007 and 2005 at UNESCO Headquarters, which focused respectively on “Women peacemakers” (http://www.unesco.org/women/iwd2007) and “Building a More Secure Future for Women Reporters” , focusing on the role of the media in the elimination of violence against women. UNESCO also coordinates International Years and distributes Prizes and Awards that acknowledge men’s and women’s contribution to the fight against violence in all its forms, including violence against women. UNESCO develops gender-sensitive information, education and communication materials and radio programmes on violence against women, such as “STOP This Violence!” in Kenya, and minority language radio programming for trafficking prevention in Mekong region, in China). Hide

ESCWA undertakes awareness-raising efforts through meetings, regional conferences and seminars. The ESCWA Centre for Women devoted the March 2007 issue of its newsletter to the subject of violence against women in the ESCWA region; the newsletter was distributed on International Women’s Day 2007. Hide

The ILO Guide on Preventing Discrimination, Exploitation and Abuse of Migrant Women Workers covers the full migration cycle, from pre-departure to reintegration in the country of origin, including a specific module on trafficking. The Guide has been used extensively to build the capacity of ILO constituents in protecting migrant women workers and preventing abusive situations. It is currently available in 10 languages. ILO through its International Migration Branch has specific technical cooperation activities on trafficking. Hide

UNDP advocates for the elimination of violence against women and raises awareness by promoting national and local campaigns, including the “16 days of activism against gender violence” and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. At country level, UNDP supports radio and TV shows that address violence against women, as well as production of posters and other public announcements. The topics discussed in GenderNet forum on UNDP’s website include: comparative experiences in the development of a national strategy for the protection of victims of domestic violence, and comparative experiences on violence against women. Hide

In Bangladesh, IFAD and other partners are supporting the Government to set up “women’s sections” in major markets to ensure women’s safety and prevent sexual harassment women face from men in the marketplace. Hide

In Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States, IFAD has initiated a project to provide alternatives to migration and prevention of trafficking by developing new income generating activities, diversifying livelihood options and reducing barriers to entrepreneurship, specifically empowering high-risk vulnerable groups, with a focus on women and youth.IFAD worked on women’s empowerment in the Mahbubnagar region of Andhra Pradesh, India, in partnership with UNIFEM, The Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty and the Kovel Foundation, by organizing women into self-help groups and non-timber forest products collectors’ associations. An evaluation of the project suggested that participants’ control over their income increased, and also resulted in a substantial reduction in the drunkenness of men and violence within the home. Hide

UNICRI produced a website on trafficking in minors and commercial sexual exploitation of children, with a special focus on sex tourism and code of conduct for tourism operators. UNICRI has carried out awareness campaigns on trafficking in women and minors for the purpose of sexual exploitation with the aim to sensitize potential victims, political and religious leaders, public institutions, and the general public, in addition to raising awareness of the services available to victims.In Nigeria, in 2003, UNICRI implemented awareness campaigns in the Edo State, including radio and TV spots, market campaigns, advocacy meetings and school visits. In Italy, in 2004, a video spot “Let’s help them to get free from slavery” was broadcasted on national TV channels.In Costa Rica, UNICRI produced: TV and radio spots; billboards at the borders to sensitize/inform the public on the issue; a bookmark to raise awareness in the population at risk; a set of three different stickers posted up in the windows of all immigration offices; 14 movable billboards, circulated on buses, in the areas identified as the most vulnerable trafficking routes. In Ukraine, in 2006, awareness-raising campaigns included brochures advertising the free hot-line number and for specialists about national legislation; the dissemination of information through the La Strada website; multi-disciplinary round tables; and a television spot. Hide