United Nations Population Fund

UNFPA is supporting the rollout of the UN statistical framework on femicide, with pilot initiatives in countries such as Pakistan and the Dominican Republic. This work places particular emphasis on strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) and medico-legal death investigation systems, recognizing their critical role in improving the accuracy, completeness, and use of data on femicide. By integrating administrative data systems and fostering cross-country learning, UNFPA aims to enhance measurement, inform policy, and ultimately contribute to the prevention of femicide.

UNFPA Algeria has made significant progress in strengthening its national response to GBV by developing and finalising Intersectoral Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These SOPs establish a formal bridge between the Ministry of Justice, the National Gendarmerie (DGSN), and the Ministry of Health, creating a unified framework for prevention and response.

In support of the UNFPA GBV Operational Plan, Flourish, UNFPA leads prevention efforts, emphasizing comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) as a key strategy for GBV prevention and gender equality. The EmpowerED! programme, launched in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, embodies this approach, reaching nearly 7.5 million adolescents and youth across 10 countries (Argentina, Benin, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Moldova, the Philippines, Tunisia, and Zambia). Similar initiatives have been implemented in the Pacific, where UNFPA revised CSE curricula in six countries (Fiji, Vanuatu, FSM, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Tonga) to align with international standards. 

UNFPA also integrates GBV prevention within health systems, partnering with Ministries of Health through initiatives like the EU4GE Joint Project in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and a regional collaboration with the League of Arab States, supporting training to prevent violence against women and integrate prevention into primary health care. 

Community engagement remains central to UNFPA’s prevention efforts. The Arab States Regional Office has led regional campaigns in partnership with religious institutions such as Al Azhar to prevent GBV and harmful practices. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), UNFPA conducted a regional systematization across 18 countries, mapping good practices and sharing findings with 15 governments to advocate for increased investment in evidence-based prevention programmes. 

To further advance GBV prevention in educational settings, UNFPA developed the ‘4 Steps to GBV Prevention’ toolkit, a pedagogical resource implemented in six LAC countries (Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Peru). 

In 2024, UNFPA co-hosted a global expert group meeting on femicide alongside UN Women and UNODC, with support from the Centre of Excellence for CRVS and kNOwVAWdata. This meeting brought together experts, activists, and victims' families to address critical issues surrounding femicide. Key topics included: 

• Developing conceptual and statistical frameworks for measuring femicide 
• The role of feminist review committees in identifying systemic failures and prevention strategies 
• Intersections with emerging issues like technology-facilitated GBV, suicidality, and sorcery-related violence 

The voices of victims' families were central to the dialogue, grounding discussions in lived experiences and underscoring the urgency of addressing femicide as the most severe form of gender-based violence (GBV). The meeting emphasized data-driven approaches, survivor-centred solutions, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to combat femicide globally. 

Follow-up documents are being developed, including a report highlighting key insights around prevention, response, and data, as well as a specific document on the strengths of the statistical framework and potential additional data sources beyond the judicial system. 

UNFPA LAC, under the Spotlight Initiative, conducted a series of multidimensional studies on feminicide in vulnerable contexts across Latin America. Notably: 

• In Peru, UNFPA supported the development of an inter-institutional protocol for addressing feminicide, attempted feminicide, and high-risk intimate partner violence. 
• In El Salvador, the campaign "Traces of Absence" raised awareness of femicide. 
• In Argentina, the "We Are More Than Numbers" campaign focused on prevention and awareness of femicide. 

UNFPA provides direct technical assistance to governments in developing, strengthening, and implementing policies for GBV prevention, response, and survivor support. This includes legal frameworks, national action plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency preparedness and response plans, and gender-sensitive policies across humanitarian, peace, and development contexts. UNFPA collaborates with ministries, parliamentarians, and other stakeholders to integrate GBV prevention into national development plans, social protection systems, and SRHR policies, including Universal Health Coverage. 

At the global and regional levels, UNFPA supports key international frameworks such as the Beijing Platform for Action, the SDGs, and UN Security Council Resolutions. 

Notable achievements include: 

• Nigeria: Strengthened partnership with the First Lady, leading to the first National Summit on Social Norms and GBV, which resulted in a national commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of women and girls. 
• North Macedonia (2021–2024): Supported a Multi-Sectoral Response Protocol, facilitated 11 bylaws (7 adopted), developed SOPs for Sexual Assault Referral Centres, finalized a survivor reintegration program, and supported the evaluation of the National Action Plan on implementing the Istanbul Convention (2018–2023), endorsed in 2024. 
• Latin America & the Caribbean: Advanced survivor-centred approaches in multi-sectoral response protocols across nine countries (Mexico, Peru, El Salvador, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, and Ecuador). 

UNFPA plays a pivotal role in addressing sexual violence in conflict by adopting a comprehensive approach focused on prevention, response, and survivor support, ensuring that survivors’ needs are met and their rights upheld. UNFPA collaborates with governments, humanitarian organizations, and civil society to provide essential services to women and girls affected by conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). 

As the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) mandated agency for GBV prevention and response, UNFPA leads and supports multi-sectoral responses to GBV, including CRSV, coordinating efforts across health, legal, protection, and psychosocial sectors. This includes establishing GBV Sub-Clusters in humanitarian settings to coordinate responses, share information, and prevent duplication of efforts. 

As a member of UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict and other global initiatives, UNFPA works to strengthen system-wide responses, supporting UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace, and Security (1325, 1820, 1888, 1960) and collaborating with UNICEF, UN Women, and UNHCR to ensure a comprehensive approach to sexual violence in conflict. 

In 2024, UNFPA, with funding from the UN Action Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), directly supported CRSV survivors in Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Mali. Data collected through the GBVIMS on CRSV is shared with the Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Arrangements (MARA), adhering to strict safety and ethical protocols in countries such as South Sudan, Mali, Central African Republic, Somalia, and Iraq. UNFPA also co-leads MARA Working Groups in Myanmar, Mali, and the Central African Republic, strengthening responses through a survivor-centered approach. 

2024 highlights:  

• ASRO provides tailored support to seven crisis-affected countries (Sudan, Palestine, Somalia, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Libya), offering essential medical supplies, GBV survivor assistance, MHPSS, and safe spaces for women and girls. It also supported 42 women-led organizations and enhanced GBV coordination in humanitarian contexts. 
• In Palestine, ASRO partnered with OHCHR for training on CRSV and safe referral processes. 
• WCARO worked with WHO to strengthen clinical management of rape (CMR) capacities, conducting ToT sessions in Côte d'Ivoire and Chad, and planning cascade training in Niger, Central African Republic, Chad, and Mali. 
• UNFPA Nigeria piloted a national CMR ToT focused on testing the new CMR-IPV inter-agency toolkit. 

UNFPA plays a pivotal role in supporting governments to develop legislation that is responsive to the needs of survivors while aligning with international laws and human rights standards. Through its technical expertise, human resources, and financial support, UNFPA supports governments in the development and implementation of national laws that effectively address GBV and ensure the protection of survivors. 

One notable example of UNFPA’s advocacy efforts is its successful work in The Gambia, where it helped uphold the 2015 law criminalizing FGM. UNFPA countered repeal efforts by providing technical support, fostering regional partnerships, engaging with parliamentarians, and collaborating strategically with religious and civil society leaders. This work highlights the importance of multifaceted approaches to legislative advocacy and survivor protection. 

UNFPA has also supported legal framework strengthening and the development of National Action Plans for GBV response across the EECA region (Eastern Europe and Central Asia). In 17 EECA countries, the focus has been on domestic violence prevention, protection, and survivor support, which reflects UNFPA’s comprehensive approach to legislation and policy development. 

Progress at regional and national level: 

• In Latin America, UNFPA has advanced critical GBV legislation. Notable achievements include the passage of comprehensive laws in Chile and bans on child marriage and early unions in Peru and Colombia. These legislative advancements demonstrate UNFPA’s active role in shaping policies that prioritize the rights and protection of women and girls in the region. 
• In the Arab States, UNFPA has partnered with the Arab Institute for Human Rights to build capacity in 9 countries for addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG) through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) reporting process. This partnership highlights UNFPA’s commitment to improving accountability and monitoring mechanisms for human rights issues in the region. 

UNFPA is committed to strengthening the capacity of governments, implementing partners, and its own staff to prevent and respond to GBV effectively. Through comprehensive training and capacity-building initiatives, UNFPA equips all actors involved in GBV prevention and response with the necessary knowledge, skills, and systems. 

• As of February 2025, 300 participants from 67 countries have completed the kNOwVAWdata course, focusing on safe, ethical VAW data collection, analysis, and reporting. 
• ASRO supported Al-Azhar in conducting TOT workshops for students from Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, and Yemen, training future religious leaders to address GBV, FGM, and child marriage. ASRO also helped develop a framework for a Religious Leaders Network to enhance collaboration in combating harmful practices. 
• In EECA, UNFPA strengthened multi-sectoral responses to GBV through regional ToT workshops, training 35 stakeholders per country and developing tools for monitoring and implementing standard operating procedures. 
• PSRO developed and rolled out a GBV Risk Mitigation Curriculum for the Pacific Sub-Region, focusing on climate disaster contexts, across 4 countries. 
• WCARO conducted capacity-building workshops on the Essential Services Package and GBV case management in The Gambia and Equatorial Guinea for UN personnel, government officials, and partners. 
• ​​​In LAC, UNFPA developed 3 self-administered virtual courses on the Essential Services Package, clinical management of sexual violence, and child marriage prevention, reaching over 10,000 public servants across 15 countries. From these courses, a community of practice was established, running from 2020 to 2022 and generating 20 webinars on GBV, with 1.6k subscribers and 198k views.  Moreover, since 2021, UNFPA and PAHO have developed a course on the clinical management of sexual violence in Latin America. The course has been disseminated at the regional level and is currently being rolled out by the ministries of health in four countries: El Salvador, Brazil, Guatemala, and Ecuador. 

UNFPA prioritizes staff capacity-building in the areas of GBV prevention, response, and risk mitigation, ensuring alignment with global standards and enhancing the organization’s ability to effectively address GBV. This includes training on essential frameworks such as the IASC GBV Guidelines, ethical data collection, and survivor-centered case management, equipping staff with the knowledge and skills to deliver impactful programs. 

UNFPA also invests in strengthening staff capacity to generate and analyze data, including prevalence and administrative data, ensuring that evidence-based programs and policies are at the forefront of their interventions. One example of this is the kNOwVAWdata initiative, which provides comprehensive training and support to countries to gather and use VAW data effectively. 

In addition to technical expertise, UNFPA fosters cross-regional learning through communities of practice and knowledge-sharing platforms, facilitating the exchange of insights and innovations across regions. The organization also promotes intersectional approaches that address emerging forms of violence, such as technology-facilitated GBV and coercive control, ensuring comprehensive strategies for all forms of violence. 

By embedding VAW prevention and response across its policies, programs, and staff competencies, UNFPA enhances its ability to drive inter-agency coordination, support national systems, and advance global efforts to eliminate violence against women. 

Key Capacity-Building Efforts in 2024 

• WCARO Regional Capacity-Building: In 2024, UNFPA WCARO provided targeted capacity-building support to Country Offices on social norms and harmful practices. This included in-person and virtual training, as well as a regional workshop with SWEDD, where participants from 14 countries were equipped with essential knowledge on social norms, programming, and GBV response. 
• Global Training on Technology-Facilitated GBV: In 2024, UNFPA facilitated global in-person training on Technology-Facilitated GBV (TFGBV), strengthening global capacity to address this emerging issue and ensure the implementation of evidence-based programming. 

UNFPA plays a pivotal role in data collection, analysis, and research to enhance understanding and response to VAW. 

One of its flagship initiatives, kNOwVAWdata, provides technical support and capacity-building for ethical and robust VAW prevalence studies. Launched in 2016 in Asia-Pacific, it has since expanded to Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The initiative helps countries collect and use data to inform programming and monitor SDG 5 on gender equality. 

In humanitarian settings, UNFPA leads GBV administrative data collection through the Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS), ensuring ethical handling of sensitive data to improve response efforts. In 2024, the UNFPA Humanitarian Response Division conducted an external review of GBVIMS, assessing progress and UNFPA’s role as a lead agency. 

Regional Data and Research Efforts 

• West & East Africa: In partnership with UNICEF and the Innocenti Center, UNFPA launched an operational study in 2024 to develop technical guidance for FGM and child marriage programming in humanitarian settings. 
• Arab States: Published "Voices from Syria" and "Voices from Sudan," providing qualitative insights into GBV in crisis settings. 
• Asia-Pacific: Supports VAW prevalence studies, ensuring ethical and robust methodologies. From 2021-2024, APRO supported national surveys in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, and Vanuatu—with 32 out of 36 countries having conducted at least one study, and 12 with comparable data to track changes over time. In 2024, APRO and the University of Melbourne published research on technology-facilitated GBV in Asia, including in-depth studies in three countries. UNFPA also ran GBV data learning sessions in four countries in the Pacific under the Spotlight Initiative, hosted a GBV data course in Fiji, and developed the GBV Administrative Data Toolkit for the Pacific. 
• Latin America & Caribbean: Conducted the first regional qualitative research on child marriage and early unions (CMEU) in eight countries, in collaboration with Plan International, making the issue more visible. Based on this research, UNFPA and UNICEF launched an inter-agency strategy to eliminate CMEU, including the Allies for Children and Adolescents Free of Harmful Practices regional platform. 

Through these initiatives, UNFPA strengthens evidence-based policies and interventions, ensuring accountability in the global fight against GBV and harmful practices.