Measures

In its efforts to address the protection concerns of its beneficiaries, WFP has started a project which will enhance the prevention and response to sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV) in displacement settings. The project period is from September 2010 to September 2011, and aims to:a. conduct a mapping exercise of the extent of SGBV in relation to food assistance in displacement settings;b. collect and compile good practices on prevention and response to SGBV in food assistance to guide WFP staff and partners;c. build the capacity of WFP and partner staff to understand the relation between protection threats, SGBV and food assistance and be able to respond as appropriate;d. ensure WFP compliance with the UN zero-tolerance on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) in pilot countries.Targeted countries for implementation include: Kenya, Sudan (Darfur), Haiti, DRC, Myanmar, Chad and Burundi. In Myanmar, WFP has completed an analysis on protection and SGBV, and conducted a protection training with a special session on SGBV. In Kenya, WFP has conducted an SGBV mapping and support has been provided to PSEA focal points..In Chad, WFP has conducted an SGBV mapping and SAFE (Safe Access to Firewood and alternative Energy) assessment, provided training on protection, SGBV (including PSEA) and SAFE and provided programme support for the integration of protection (including prevention of and response to SGBV) into WFP programme tools. Hide

The FAO regional project “Eastern Africa regional response to food insecurity, HIV and GBV” supports victims/survivors of gender-based violence to rebuild their livelihoods, improve their technical and practical knowledge in farming leading to increased self esteem and their reintegration in their communities and households (see http://www.disasterriskreduction.net). Hide

A guidance note “Gender-based violence and livelihood interventions:Focus on populations of humanitarian concern in the context of HIV and AIDS” has been developed and widely disseminated through the FAO/DIMITRA network(http://www.fao.org/dimitra/resources-by-theme/violence-against-women/en/). Hide

Since October 2010, FAO is the new Chair of the Regional Inter-Agency working Group on HIV and gender-based violence in emergency settings. The Regional IAWG ensures that HIV and gender-based violence prevention and protection, AIDS treatment, care and impact mitigation are prioritized and scaled up in humanitarian emergency work in Eastern Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes Regions. Hide

Since September 2010, FAO is implementing through United Nations Joint Program or with UN partners a regional project “Eastern Africa regional response to food insecurity, HIV and GBV” in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, reaching more than 80,000 beneficiaries. Within the regional project, gender-based violence and the needs of populations affected by gender-based violence and HIV are addressed through the Adult and Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools, at community, national and regional levels. Hide

The workshop “Tackling legal empowerment: the Farmer Life School approach” in which rural Farmer Field Schools (FFS) communities include as topics gender-based violence prevention and support to victims/survivors in Kenya is published at: http://www.fao.org/dimitra/dimitra-workshops/workshop-reports/en/ Hide

In West Bank and Gaza, UNRWA is involved in the UN Country Team gender taskforce, by implementing the component addressing gender-based violence in the joint UN MDG gender programme “gender equality and women’s empowerment in oPT”. Hide

UNRWA continues its collaboration with UNICEF in Jordan to address violence in schools against girls and boys and to establish mechanisms in the health centres to address child abuse. During 2010 UNRWA focused on building referral systems. In Syria, UNRWA has identified its mechanism of referral in Yarmouk and Deraa camps, and worked to enhance staff capacities for detection of gender-based violence victims. In West Bank, UNRWA has collaborated with various stakeholders to develop its referral system, based on a community participation approach, and to organise trainings for medical staff. In Gaza, UNRWA is establishing one-stop shop centres, and has identified the role of staff involved in the process. In Jordan, UNRWA has been working with local partners towards the establishment of a referral system, and has commenced the mapping of external partners to provide support services to victims of gender-based violence. Hide

As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence campaign, UNRWA, in collaboration with various stakeholders, organised events in Gaza, Jordan, Syria, and West Bank, involving its health, education, relief and social services programmes. Activities included photograph exhibitions, mobile theatres, awareness events and poetry. UNRWA, in Gaza, held awareness-raising workshops on the role of the international instruments in fighting gender-based violence, where UNRWA teachers participated. Hide

UNRWA conducted several trainings in West Bank and Gaza reaching members of the community involved in services provision, women, men and religious leaders on the provision of assistance to victims of gender-based violence. Hide