Measures

OIOS’ evaluation of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) showed that progress had been made in mainstreaming gender into the Mission's agenda and tasks. For example, the Mission prepared gender equality guidelines and a gender strategy, which was instrumental in establishing Vulnerable Persons Protection Units in all Sudanese police stations and had demobilized more than 6,000 women combatants by September 2010. In OIOS' survey of UNMIS staff, 57 per cent of respondents rated the Mission's activities in giving attention to the special needs of women combatants in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration positively. However, information received by UNMIS that 24 women and 30 girls had been raped in 2 villages was not included in the Human Rights Bulletin that the Mission compiled. OIOS recommended that UNMIS should report more comprehensively on human rights violations. (A/65/752)OIOS’ evaluation of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) gave particular emphasis to violence against women in view of the history of conflict-related violence against women in that country. OIOS collaborated with UN Women to develop terms of reference incorporating this focus and to ensure that the Mission's efforts to reduce violence against women and offer assistance to victims were evaluated. The Mission's responses to incidents of violence against women were also considered in the evaluation. The draft report of the evaluation is currently being reviewed by the Mission and DPKO/DFS.OIOS’ evaluation of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) addressed policing and building the capacity of the local police to cope with criminal activity, which includes violence against women. OIOS has submitted the draft report with findings and recommendations to the Mission and DPKO/DFS for review.OIOS reviewed activities aimed at eliminating violence against women in the context of an audit of the management of the human rights programme in the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). OIOS’ proposed recommendations include strengthening implementation strategies and programme evaluation of UNAMI's human rights interventions in Iraq that also relate to women right violations. Hide

The UNAIDS Secretariat, together with UN, development partners and civil society, worked to develop a global indicator on “prevalence of recent intimate partner violence”, to raise the political awareness accordingly. The indicator has been included in the Global AIDS Response Progress Reporting for 2012 to enable national reporting on violence in the context of HIV. Hide

In June 2011, UNAIDS presented the findings of the “Scorecard on Gender Equality in National HIV Responses”, which monitors country-level progress on implementing the UNAIDS Agenda for Women and Girls. As of December 2011, 93 countries reported data which show that less than one fifth (18 of 93) of countries have national data on the intersection between gender-based violence and HIV; and 40% (38 of 93) of countries’ health sector policies address gender-based violence. Hide

The UNAIDS Secretariat is a member and supports the innovative public-private partnership, “Together for Girls”, to end sexual violence against girls, which has initiated additional studies in Kenya and Zimbabwe, to increase awareness on violence. Hide

In November 2011, UNAIDS contributed to a consultation with representatives from 15 countries on how to better address gender-based violence and engagement of men and boys in national HIV responses. Country representatives are developing national action plans to integrate strategic action to eliminate violence against women into their national HIV response. Hide

As part of its strategic leadership role, the UNAIDS Secretariat has gathered evidence to better address gender barriers that hinder women’s access to services, including violence. Hide

The UNAIDS Secretariat provided support for the Security Council debate in June 2011 on Impact of HIV/AIDS on International Peace and Security. The resulting UN Security Council resolution 1983 includes prevention of sexual violence in conflict and post conflict situations. Hide

The UNAIDS Secretariat provided comprehensive support for the 2011 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AIDS. The resulting Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS: Intensifying our Efforts to Eliminate HIV/AIDS highlights the need to eliminate violence against women. Hide

In June 2011, the United Nations Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) co-organised a workshop on Gun Violence in Nepal that brought together political leaders, government officials and media representatives, with significant women’s participation, to raise awareness on gender-based violence. Hide

In March 2011, UNODA’s Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) organised a seminar on “UN Regional Best and Promising Practices on Armed Violence Reduction and Prevention for South and Southeast Asia”. A full session of the seminar analyzed, discussed and assessed the interrelations between armed violence and gender. In cooperation with civil society organisations, UNRCPD identified best practices in mainstreaming gender issues and in armed violence reduction programming. Hide