Measures

In Algeria, UN Women provided support to the national mechanism for women human rights to carry out the national campaign on violence against women, under the framework of the Africa UNiTE campaign to end violence. For the first time, the civil society working on violence against women has been clearly invited by the Ministry to present their work and achievements and to join their efforts to address this issue. Hide

UNICEF supported the Second Latin American and Caribbean Conference on the Right to Identity and Universal Birth/Civil Registration of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Organization of American States (OAS), and a similar high-level conference in Africa, under the umbrella of the African Union (AU), to continue its advocacy against child marriage and child trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Hide

UNICEF Country Offices continued to implement programmes to promote awareness and abandonment of harmful traditional practices in 15 countries covered by the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on awareness and abandonment of child marriage. Hide

"UNFPA's Strategic Guidance for Engaging Men and Boys" has been developed and carefully drafted to guide UNFPA's work with men and boys, to serve as strategic guidance for the Fund’s actions at the Global, Regional and Country levels. Hide

OHCHR continued supporting the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, in its active engagement with civil society organizations, including through participation in regional consultations. In June 2011, the Special Rapporteur participated in consultations held in Brussels with European civil society organizations, including representatives of European observatories on violence against women. Hide

OHCHR, as Chair of Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT), organized a side event on protecting victims of trafficking during the 17th session of the Human Rights Council (June 2011). The panelists included ICAT members (i.e. OHCHR, ILO, UNHCR, UNODC, IOM, UNICEF, UNAIDS, and Interpol).A regional consultative meeting on combating trafficking was organized in Qatar, in cooperation between OHCHR and the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Center for South West Asia and the Arab Region, and in partnership with the Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking. Hide

OHCHR supported the convening of the fourth session of the Forum on minority issues, established by Human Rights Council resolution 6/15, which took place on 29 and 30 November 2011 in Geneva and focused on "Guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls.” Over 400 participants attended this fourth session, including persons belonging to minorities from all regions, representatives of non-governmental organizations, academia and experts as well as delegates from United Nations Member States. During the two-day discussions, the multiple discriminations faced by minority women as members of minorities and as women, and other barriers, including violence against women, were highlighted. The outcome document contained practical and concrete measures and recommendations aimed at guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls, including to better protect them and raise their awareness on violence against women and girls. Hide

As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign, the Working Group on discrimination against women in law and in practice and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences issued a joint press statement highlighting how political transitions are unique opportunities to ensure that women participate equally in public life and that their rights in legal and social systems, including the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence in law and in practice are addressed. Also in connection with the 16 Days of Activism and the Human Rights Day, OHCHR posted a number of stories on its website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Manuptoendviolenceagainstwomen.aspx Hide

In July 2011 in Paraguay, UNODC, in cooperation with UN Women, held the International Conference "Answers to Gender-Based Violence in the Southern Cone: Progresses, Challenges and Regional Experiences.” The Conference aimed at presenting and debating the above report and promoting the exchange of experiences, stimulating cooperation and facilitating the creation of an exchange network of good practices between community leaders, civil society and government institutions. Hide

WHO reported that the 5th Milestones of a Global Campaign for Violence Prevention Meeting was held in Cape Town, South Africa. Under the theme "Joining forces, empowering prevention" almost 300 experts from more than 60 countries discussed progress in WHO's Global Campaign for Violence Prevention and strategized the way ahead by developing a global plan of action for 2012-2020. A special session during the meeting was dedicated to new research and effective interventions to address intimate partner and sexual violence. Details on the session can be found at:http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/5th_milestones_meeting/en/index.html Hide