Measures

DPI provided communications support for the launch of the Secretary-General’s Campaign “UNiTE to end violence against women”, on 25 February 2008, including generating awareness about the role of the United Nations in efforts to end violence against women. DPI coordinated an inter-agency communications group and produced multimedia information materials on the issue. Guidance on the campaign was disseminated to field offices to ensure that the communications campaign is prioritized. The Department’s network of UN Information Centres (UNICs), based in over 60 countries, participated in promoting the launch. DPI created a website in the official languages for the launch (www.endviolence.un.org); it issued press releases; it produced several radio stories for the campaign; and highlighted inter-agency efforts to address violence against women. The News Centre, a website for journalists worldwide, issued multiple stories which were picked up by the press. DPI provided live coverage of the launch of the campaign, along with the noon press briefing and the lunchtime panel discussion. The i-Seek Intranet site highlighted the Secretary-General’s Campaign and violence against women issues.Substantial media coverage was generated by the launch of the campaign in the international and regional press. The launch was also covered extensively by influential wire services and national media as well.Along with the broadcast network HBO, DPI co-sponsored film screenings at New York’s New School in April 2008, and included a panel discussion on sexual violence. UNTV produced several television stories that were offered to broadcasters through its series “UN in Action” and “21st Century”, including features on violence against women in Nepal, women’s rights in Rwanda and female infanticide in India. DPI’s quarterly journal UN Chronicle published a story on UNIFEM’s partnership with Avon in order to raise money to fight violence against women. Africa Renewal carried in-depth stories on violence against women focusing on Africa. More than 30 stories were also featured on the high-traffic UN News Centre website, including “Ban leads call for greater efforts to end ‘silent war’ of sexual violence in conflict” and “Time to turn commitment to ending gender-based violence into action – Migiro”. Hide

In July 2008, the Executive Committee on Peace and Security (ECPS), chaired by DPA, discussed the issue of sexual violence in conflict and Security Council Resolution 1820 (2008). it was agreed that ECPS would continue to receive regular briefings. The Under-Secretary-General of DPA sent a note to all ECPS members and relevant field presences requesting them to include a paragraph on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1820 (2008) in their reporting to the Security Council. Hide

The DPKO/DFS Policy Directive on Gender Equality in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (November 2006) highlights DPKO/DFS obligation and commitment to address and prevent sexual and gender-based violence against women in post-conflict contexts, including sexual exploitation and abuse committed by civilian and uniformed personnel. Hide

In February 2008, DPKO/DFS sent a Code Cable to all DPKO/DFS Field Offices on improved and systematic reporting on sexual violence to the Security Council, as had been requested during the 2007 open debate on resolution 1325 (2000). A further Code Cable was sent in June 2008, following the adoption of Security Council resolution 1820 (2008). Hide

In June 2008, DPKO/DFS developed Guidelines for integrating gender perspectives into the work of United Nations Police in peacekeeping missions and a checklist of gender equality considerations in addressing sexual and gender-based violence. In August 2008, DPKO/DFS briefed Heads of military components of peace-keeping operations during their annual meeting on Security Council resolution 1820 (2008) and the role of the military in its implementation. Hide

ECA collaborated in the organization of a seminar by the African Union Commission, held in April 2008 in Addis Ababa, to commemorate the fourteenth anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, on the theme “Ending violence against women in conflict situations: lessons drawn from the Rwandan Genocide”. Hide

In February 2008, the Economic Commission for Africa organized a high-level policy dialogue in Addis Ababa on national implementation of the Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) in Africa, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women. Hide

ECA, in partnership with the African Union (AU) and development partners, has set up the Network on Gender-Based Violence/Violence against Women (GBV/VAW), in Addis Ababa. Its members include Regional Economic Communities, the Swedish, Finnish, Danish and South African Embassies, United Nations agencies and civil society organizations. The Network is undertaking the following activities: review global and regional legal commitments on GBV/VAW and analyse obligations by States; review and recommend for strengthening AU reporting frameworks to facilitate monitoring progress and improve performance in implementation of commitments; compile good practices in addressing GBV/VAW in Africa. Hide

ECA’s African Center for Gender and Social Development (ACGSD/UNECA), in collaboration with UNDP regional gender programme for Africa, developed the African Women’s Rights Observatory (AWRO) website. Violence against women is one of the three thematic areas covered by the AWRO. The AWRO was officially launched on 28 August 2008, at the Conference of Ministers of Gender and Women’s Affairs in Addis Abba. Hide

ECLAC initiated the development of a Gender Observatory, as a tool to support governments in analysing regional realities, monitoring gender equality policies and international agreements, and providing technical support and training to national mechanisms for the advancement of women, as well as to national statistical agencies in countries that request such support. Violence against women is one of four main issues of concern of the Observatory. Hide