Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

In Cameroon, OHCHR contributed to the elaboration of the Cameroon National Gender policy, which frames the national effort to combat gender-based violence. Hide

In West Africa, OHCHR’s Regional Office, together with other UN entities and partners, supported the organization of a round-table of the Ministers of Women’s Affairs of the 16 ECOWAS Member States at the end of which a regional action plan was adopted. The plan has three main objectives: to improve participation of women in conflict prevention in the ECOWAS countries; to ensure effective protection of women and girls in pre-conflict, conflict and post-conflict periods; and to ensure fair participation of women and men in peace, security and reconstruction processes in post-conflict situations. Hide

The OHCHR office in Brussels, together with the UN Country Team, actively participated in the elaboration and adoption of the European Union (EU) Directive on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Protecting Its Victims. A commentary on implementing the Directive has been developed and submitted to the EU. This Commentary is aimed at assisting EU countries in interpreting the Directives in a more human rights-based approach. UNICEF also contributed to the Joint UN Commentary on EU Directive.OHCHR continued to promote the Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking through the organization of regional launchings of the Commentary of the Recommended Principles and Guidelines published at the beginning of 2011 with capacity building activities in Moldova (November 2011) and in the United Arab Emirates (December 2011). The Commentary is an in-depth analysis of the legal and policy frameworks on trafficking.The Working Group on Discrimination against Women in Law and Practice of the Human Rights Council was appointed in March 2011 and assumed its functions on 1 May 2011. During the reporting period, the Working Group held two sessions in Geneva, decided its working methods and thematic priorities. These relate to women’s right to equality in participating in public and political life including at times of political transitions (2012) and women’s right to equality in participating in economic and social life including at times of economic crisis (2013).More information can be found at:http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Women/WGWomen/Pages/WGWomenIndex.aspx Hide

The OHCHR continued to work closely with the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SVC) to support her mandate through the provision of information and support in connection with country visits; support to staff fielded by the SRSG SVC for specific purposes and joint follow-up to SRSG SVC’s visit. OHCHR also provided secretariat support to Commissions of Inquiry created by the Human Rights Council. UN Women supported these Commissions by seconding a gender advisor to ensure adequate attention and treatment of violence against women, including appropriate collection and storage of evidence and protection of survivors’ confidentiality. Hide

OHCHR raised awareness among its country offices on Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace and Security and on their relevance for their work. This included the production and dissemination of an information sheet; the organization of two-specific sessions during the annual meeting of heads of field presence and the OHCHR planning week respectively. Hide

OHCHR has undertaken a joint initiative with UNFPA and the University “Centro Americana José Simeón Cañas” in El Salvador to create a certificated training course on “Attention and Investigation of Gender-based Violence” for professionals in the justice, security and health sectors. Hide

In Senegal, OHCHR has been involved in a government training directed at the police and the armed forces on Security Council resolution 1325. OHCHR is also actively involved in the training for women high-level mediators developed by UNOWA. Hide

In Sierra Leone, OHCHR organised a workshop for members of the Parliamentarian Human Rights Committee on the new Sexual Offences Act. Hide

OHCHR continued supporting the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, in its active engagement with civil society organizations, including through participation in regional consultations. In June 2011, the Special Rapporteur participated in consultations held in Brussels with European civil society organizations, including representatives of European observatories on violence against women. Hide

As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign, the Working Group on discrimination against women in law and in practice and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences issued a joint press statement highlighting how political transitions are unique opportunities to ensure that women participate equally in public life and that their rights in legal and social systems, including the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence in law and in practice are addressed. Also in connection with the 16 Days of Activism and the Human Rights Day, OHCHR posted a number of stories on its website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Manuptoendviolenceagainstwomen.aspx Hide