Measures

In December 2008, a week-long consultation was convened that brought together staff from UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Legal Counsel to the Great Lakes Conference, MONUC and relevant units within the OHCHR, to develop a coherent strategy for 2009 to address sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hide

OHCHR finalized a study on the current jurisprudence relating to the prosecution of rape, both under international humanitarian law and human rights law, entitled “Prosecution of Rape under the Formal Justice Mechanisms”. This and another expert paper on “Women’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights” were launched in December 2008, in Geneva, with the participation of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. A case study, “The Bosnian Experience”, which analyzes the experience of women victims of violence accessing justice in a post-conflict society was prepared. Hide

The Violence Prevention Alliance and the Global Campaign for Violence Prevention supported by WHO aimed to strengthen the role of public health in the prevention and response to violence, including against women. As part of the Global Campaign for Violence Prevention, WHO is giving increased attention to the primary prevention of intimate partner violence and sexual violence. WHO also worked with the International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to advocate against the medicalization of FGM. Hide

WHO organized and hosted a meeting on data and data collection methodologies on sexual violence in conflict on behalf of UN Action in December 2008. In January 2009, WHO co-organized a workshop for humanitarian actions in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to introduce existing guidelines and initiate the integration of gender-based violence prevention and response actions. Hide

WFP scaled up its integration of gender and protection into field operations and programming. By the end of 2008, 500 staff members and partners were trained on protection issues. The training also included prevention and response to gender-based violence during food distributions. Hide

In Zimbabwe, IOM supported two community-based events during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, including information materials. Hide

In Timor Leste, IOM published a brochure on internally displaced women's rights and responsibilities regarding the return and resettlement options under this National Recovery Strategy. It included information on health services, security and protection mechanisms upon return for victims of violence and was distributed in all IDP camps and Return Communities. Hide

In January 2009, UNRWA implemented its sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) policy "Prohibition of discrimination, harassment - including sexual harassment and abuse of power", supported by agency-wide training. The Agency researched initiatives to address violence against women within the region to determine best practices. Hide

UNRWA’s legal department in the Syrian Arab Republic provided refugees with access to legal and counselling services to combat gender-based violence. Hide

UNHCR continued to work on the development of an Information Management System to improve data collection and information sharing on sexual and gender-based violence (GBVIMS). UNHCR and UNFPA jointly conducted technical support missions to Uganda and Kenya. Hide