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DRC
Strengthening of community prevention mechanisms with vigilance committees; sensitization of the military and police on their role in civil protection. Action to repress the perpetrators of sexual violence with emblematic trials of certain senior military officers. Actions carried out by the office of the Personal Representative of the Head of State in charge of combating sexual violence with the support of partners, in particular UN Women and UNFPA.
CAMEROON
UNW CAMEROON sept up women cohesion space to provide holistance assistance to GBV survivors. In humanitarian settings, awareness raising activities in different forms reached a great number of women, men, girls and boys including traditional and religious leaders who maintain significant influence over social norms and behaviours at the community level, on gender-based violence, girls' education, importance of women's economic empowerment, early/forced marriage and other relevant issues. These community outreach activities were not only prevention measures but also served as a first step to inform the population on available GBV services and to encourage them to report cases in the social environment that traditionally silences the survivors of violence.
LIBERIA
Liberia is not in a conflict situation at the moment. However, measures are available as part of disaster response strategy.
NIGER
The Diffa region is prey to the interventions of the boko Haram nebula. To support displaced, returned and refugee women, high-impact activities were implemented, including three hundred and fifty income-generating activities in the camps, the provision of more than 1,000 domestic gas kits to enable women not to leave the camps to search for firewood, Equipping health centres in three camps to care for survivors of violence, the three cohesion spaces, gender training for the FDS, GBV and gender mainstreaming in security activities, and the five gender units within the law enforcement services. All these activities benefited more than 5,000 people.
NIGERIA
UN Women supported the state ministries of women affairs and social development in the focus states to commemorate the 16 days of activism on violence against women;
The National Advisory Committee on the implementation of the National Action Plan was inaugurated by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development with support from Un Women and the State Action Plans on UNSCR 1325 was launched n Adamawa Gombe and Plateau state in the period
The HeforShe campaign was launched in three state and male traditional and community leaders were recognized for integrating women in traditional councils and local community leadership committees.
A simplified NAP has been developed to facilitate uptake by the public and the costing for the implementation is underway
Plateau Peacebuilding Agency’s Strategic Plan has been drafted with support from UN Women and state partners
A project implemented by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) with funding from the UN Trust Fund in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya is working to address gaps in the medical-legal process in order to improve responses to sexual violence against women and girls. The programme has been actively engaged in the two countries, both of which have endured widespread, conflict-related sexual violence and were being investigated for mass crimes by the International Criminal Court.
In December 2017, the Kavumu Case was concluded with the conviction of 11 men for crimes against humanity for the rape of 37 toddlers and young girls over a three-year period in the village of Kavumu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This was a landmark case because a sitting government official was stripped of his immunity and was found guilty for crimes that he and his armed militia committed and because it was the first time that survivors/witnesses were afforded innovative means of protection in court in the country. PHR helped to coordinate the investigation and provided technical assistance to clinicians and police investigators that led to the arrests of militia members.
UN Women undertakes several measures to address sexual violence in conflict situations related to the UN Women workforce such as:
- Message of prohibition of sexual misconduct and SEA and importance of reporting repeatedly communicated by ED.
- Since February 2017, UN Women has provided training to personnel in over 20 field offices and HQ sections.
- Launch of UN Women’s initiative “Take a Stand” in 2016, which provides guidance not only on how to report cases but also on services available to the affected staff member – from telecommuting, to salary advances, to advanced leave requests, and assisting in facilitating their access to safe and secure spaces.
- Established a network of focal points on SEA in headquarters and its Regional Offices from whom staff can request guidance on reporting allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Ensuring that where there are ANY allegations of SEA or other sexual misconduct committed by UN Women personnel or partners, they are promptly referred for investigation.
- Ensuring that alleged victims are referred to the appropriate service providers for protection, medical care and support.
- Collaborating with the Secretary-General’s Victims’ Rights Advocate Ms. Jane Connors on sexual exploitation and abuse and victims’ assistance.
Iraq CO
UN Women, in collarboration with UNDP, provided 935 survivors of gender based violence and conflict related sexual violence with psychosocial support, legal assistance, and referrals as part of the Stop Rape Now United Nations Against Sexual Violence and Conflict fund. Many of these women were survivors of violence perpetrated by ISIS, and were able to register their cases with the Genocide Committee based in Dohuk, Iraq, contributing to documentaion of ISIS's crimes and providing them with access to justice. In the context of Security Council resolution (SCR) 2106 (2013), the UN agreed with the Government of Iraq a joint , (the “Joint Communiqué”) as a framework of cooperation to prevent and address conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) committed in the country on 23 September 2016. During 2017 and 2018, UN Women has been actively engaged in developing the Action Plan for implementation of the Communique and the Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (MARA) Mechanism, contributing to the systematic gathering of timely, accurate, reliable and objective information on CRSV against women, men, girls and boys in Iraq. UN Women also supported development of and participated in the SRSG on CRSV visit to Iraq in March 2018, reinforcing its work to combat GBV and support government response for survivors.
Under the UN Action- funded project, UN Women provided technical guidance to JNCW and its partner, NAMA Strategic Intelligence Solutions (contracted by NATO), as they conducted a Gender Audit of the Police, Civil Defense and Gendarmerie. The audit seeks to identify gaps and recommendations for securing the meaningful participation and leadership of women in all parts of the security sector. The audit’s findings will also support the identification of gaps that must be addressed within the security sector as it increases its capacity to respond to incidents of CRSV.The prime minister and cabinet endorsed the JONAP 1325 on 3 December 2017. Throughout the year, the JONAP 1325 benefitted from substantial engagement across all sectors, including consultations with civil society in the different governorates throughout Jordan. The final JONAP includes the following CRSV specific outputs: 3.3.2: “Instruments to monitor, document and report GBV and CRSV are created – linked to national structures and systems,” and 3.3.3: “Prosecutors, judges and the security sector are trained on how to handle GBV and CRSV, and promote access to safe reporting channels”
During the reporting period , UN Women lebanon succeeded to push forward progress on WPS through its leading role to develop the NAP 1325 for Lebanon. Substantive progress was achieved in terms of : a) conducting training sessions to the members of the national Council for Lebanese Women, Meetings with more than 17 focus groups representing Syrian, Palestinian and Iraqi refugees, in addition to meetings with religious leaders. The aim of the meetings is to enhance their knowledge on the UNRC 1325 themes and also collect information oin the challenges they are facing and their concerns. All these will feed in the formulation of UNCR 1325 NP for Lebanon. Furthermore, UN Women as leading UN agency, finalized the situation Analysis, held more than 5 meetings with other UN agencies and 3 meetings with the national counterpart. WPS addresses the 4 pillars which includes Prevention, Protection and Recovery for women within conflects.
Algeria PP
In Algeria, UN Women was the only UN agency invited to participate in a 2 days inter-ministerial workshop in February 2018, to design a new strategy on preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls. During the workshop attended by members from the National Commission on violence against women, UNW's technical contribution was vital to provide a framework for effective action and gather inputs from all the relevant sectors (Justice, Police, Health, Education, Social and Religious affairs etc.). The workshop resulted in the elaboration of a National Plan of Action currently awaiting final validation from the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family and Women's condition (MSNFCF). Building on the workshop's result, UN Women and the MSNFCF will join forces to elaborate in a collaborative manner, Algeria's 2019-2022 strategy on promoting, protecting and empowering women and girls in Algeria. The strategy's first pillar will be entirely dedicated to eliminating violence against women and girls in Algeria.
In early 2018, UN Women Algeria played a strong coordinating role within the UN System in Algeria, by being the driving force behind the re-establishment of the Gender Themed Group (GTG). UNW currently shares the GTG presidency with UNFPA. An annual plan of action has been adopted by GTG members, with several actions implemented during Q1. Most notably, UNW partenered with UNICEF to host a documentary screening on the violence and discriminations faced by women in public spaces. The documentary entitled "HNA BARRA" was presented on the occasion of the IWD, and attended by the documentary director, Bahia Bencheikh El Fegoun.Palestine CO
As part of UN Women Palestine office efforts to institutionalize the work of the Specialized Public Prosecutors on VAW, UN Women provided technical support to the Public Prosecution to devleop responsive SoPs on investigating and litigating VAW, inluding the referral of cases to other service providers. The SOPs were revised and discussed with CSOs and Government partners and have been finalized and approved by the Attorney General. The SoPs aim at enhancing protection for women survivors and accountability for perpetrators of crimes against them. UN Women Palestine office initiated the creation of a joint platform for the Family and Juvenille Protection Unit (FJPU) at the police and at the Specialised Public Prosecution on VAW to discuss challenging issues and enhance cooperation between the two institutions when addressing VAW cases. Four successful monthly dialogue meetings were held during the reporting period and addressed highly contested issues by both institutions. UNW is following up closely with both instituions to facilitate the implementation of the dialogue meetings recommendations.
Jordan was part of the second group of Member States presenting its Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the High Level Political Forum in July 2017. In preparation of Jordan’s VNR, and within the framework of the coordinated action of the dedicated inter-agency focused group, UN Women provided technical support to the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC) in order to mainstream gender in the process. A dedicated policy paper has been prepared by JNCW outlining contextual trends on GEWE (including issues related to GBV) to be considered as well as presenting needs, opportunities and gaps in terms of legislative reforms and policy development. As a result of UN Women advocacy efforts, three additional action points in the Government-led road map for the SDGs were added, namely strengthening gender mainstreaming in the 2030 Agenda landing process, finalize the SDGs mapping in terms of national indicators (especially Goal 5), and enhance institutions’ capacity development. The VNR also included references to the needed amendements to Jordan's Penal Code provisions related to distriminatory provisions against women and girls.
UN Women organized two consultations on Gender Justice under the patronages of the Department for Women Empowerment and the High Council for Women Affairs in Baghdad and Erbil and in partnership with UNDP and UNFPA. The objective of the consultations was to discuss the law and its implementation to enhance gender justice and more equality between men and women. The consultations took place in Baghdad in November 2017 and December 2017 in Erbil, both attended by high level Governmental stakeholders, Non-Governmental stakeholders, legal aid providers and women activists.
Egypt CO
UN Women Egypt supported the National Council for Women to develop the National Strategy for Women’s Empowerment (NSWE). The NSWE complements Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy and is aligned with the goals and targets of the SDGs. It is based on an analysis of existing data regarding gender equality and informed by extensive consultations with diverse groups to understand the critical gaps and inequities that will be addressed under each of its pillars. The main pillars of the strategy focus on: (a) women’s leadership and political participation, (b) economic empowerment, (c) social empowerment, and (d) protection. Violence against Women and Girls is addressed in a comprehensive manner under the social empowerment pillar with indicators, baselines, and targets for the year 2020 and 2030. The NSWE was endorsed by the President of Egypt.
In 2017, UNODC further expanded its activities in developing standards and tools and providing technical assistance to Member States in the field of crime statistics. Among these activities was UNODC’s publication of the Resource Book for Trainers on Effective Prosecution Responses to Violence against Women and Girls and the development of an implementation guide for the Essential Service Package for Women and Girls Subject to Violence to assist countries in the implementation of the Essential Services Package at the country level.
Further, UNODC developed a study on the role of women in the smuggling of migrants (to be published in the first half of 2018), as well as a Practitioner's Toolkit on Women's Access to Justice Programming (together with UN Women, UNDP and OHCHR).
Field research and analysis by country research teams in China, India, Indonesia for the research project “When and Why Do States Respond to Women's Claims? Understanding Gender-Egalitarian Policy Change in Asia” (2013-2016; final publications 2018). http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BB128/(httpProjects)/FFDCCF9EE4F2F9C6C1257BEF004FB03E?OpenDocument
Joint research activity with the Unicef Office of Research Innocenti on “Transformative Change for Children and Youth and the SDGs” (2017-2018) includes topic of violence against girls.
UNRWA’s Gender Equality Strategy (2016-2021), Integrating Gender, Improving Services, Impacting Lives serves to guide and frame all gender-related work by the Agency, including work on GBV.
As per its Strategic Framework 2018-21, UNV supports members states in developing policies that promote volunteerism and volunteer action. Emphasis is put on mainstreaming gender into these policies and legislation.
In 2017, UNDP launched the “Ending Gender-based Violence (GBV) and Achieving the SDGs” global project. This project aims to take violence prevention to scale by bringing new partners, strategies and sources of financing to the table. Over three years, it will: design, test and evaluate initiatives that will reduce GBV in select pilot sites; and develop new knowledge, skills and tools to reduce GBV in other contexts. Pilots will integrate GBV into broader UNDP sectoral programming (such as environment and livelihoods) and/or will focus around the principle of leaving no one behind.
All pilots will be implemented at the local level, but their lessons will be global. The project will translate evidence from the pilots into policy and advocacy tools, along with instruments such as new financing modalities.