Measures to Address Sexual Violence in Conflict Situations

WHO developed in collaboration with UNHCR, UNFPA and the International Committee of the Red Cross “The Clinical management of rape survivors: developing protocols for use with refugees and internally displaced persons (updated, 2005)’. These guidelines provide guidance on setting up rape services in emergency settings. Following an expert consultation in December 2006, WHO is finalizing Safety and ethical recommendations for data collection, monitoring and research on sexual violence in conflict. WHO also developed training programmes for health providers and technical support for the integration of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict settings (Burundi, Congo, Liberia and Sudan). Hide

WFP has developed a concept paper that examines protection and gender issues related to WFP’s operations in both conflict and post-conflict situations, with particular attention to gender-based violence. Hide

The project “Building capacity to enhance humanitarian protection in the context of food assistance in emergencies, 2005-2006” is part of WFP’s ongoing effort to address violence against women. The project aims to enhance WFP staff’s understanding of gender issues and how to address them adequately. Hide

In the context of armed conflict and the ongoing crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory, UNRWA supports women with the provision of temporary employment, with psycho-social support to family members, provision of shelter and emergency food and cash support. This emergency support is critical considering the drastic economic and social decline being experienced by Palestinians in the occupied territory, which has contributed to increased levels of social violence, including gender-based violence. Hide

In 2008, technical consultations were conducted to support the roll-out of gender-based violence information management system (GBVIMS) in Kenya and Northern Uganda. GBVIMS is a joint effort of UNHCR, UNFPA and IRC. Hide

In implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325, UNESCO, in collaboration with partners from the University of Hull (UK) and the Center for Human Rights, University of Pretoria (South Africa), launched a research programme on women's rights for peace and security in post conflict democracies in Africa. The aim of this program is to develop policy recommendations that address obstacles, such as violence against women, to women’s full participation in and contribution to peace and security in post conflict countries in Africa. UNESCO organized, in 2005, a consultation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, engaging a wide range of stakeholders. It focused on the status of women in the Great Lakes region of Africa, covering also violence against women, especially sexual violence. Hide

The Third Session of the Committee on Women of ESCWA was convened in Abu Dhabi, in March 2007, and focused on women and armed conflict in the Arab region, including violence against women. ESCWA also convened an expert group meeting in March 2007 on the impact of armed conflict on women, and the advancement of women living under conflict conditions. Topics included gender-based violence during armed conflict. Hide

The ESCWA Centre for Women devoted the first issue of its newsletter on women and armed conflict. The newsletter examined gender-based violence against women in conflict settings in the Arab world. The March 2007 issue was devoted on violence against women in the ESCWA region and was distributed on International Women’s Day 2007, as part of the global effort to call attention to this important issue. Hide

UNDP has developed gender equality and crisis prevention and recovery training materials for technical staff of its Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. UNDP has trained 13 UNDP offices in conflict and post-conflict situations on gender mainstreaming for country programming. Hide

UNDP’s 2006-2007 Plan of action for mainstreaming gender perspectives in crisis prevention and recovery addresses violence against women in the context of conflict and post-conflict situations. Hide