Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

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

OHCHR supported the convening of the fourth session of the Forum on minority issues, established by Human Rights Council resolution 6/15, which took place on 29 and 30 November 2011 in Geneva and focused on "Guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls.” Over 400 participants attended this fourth session, including persons belonging to minorities from all regions, representatives of non-governmental organizations, academia and experts as well as delegates from United Nations Member States. During the two-day discussions, the multiple discriminations faced by minority women as members of minorities and as women, and other barriers, including violence against women, were highlighted. The outcome document contained practical and concrete measures and recommendations aimed at guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls, including to better protect them and raise their awareness on violence against women and girls. Hide

In October 2010, UNICEF, the OHCHR and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, supported by the Government of Sweden, organized a panel discussion on the promotion of better data and research to inform child-sensitive and effective laws, policies and action, where UNICEF presented the results of its forthcoming report on Child Disciplinary Practices at Home. Hide

The OHCHR Regional Office for Central Africa, in partnership with the UN Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Cental Africa (CNUDHD) contributed to the elaboration of the Cameroon National Gender Policy, which includes activities to combat gender-based violence, by providing technical advice, sharing documentation, and supporting, with other UN system partners, the national validation workshop for the draft national gender policy.The OHCHR Regional Office for Europe provided advocacy and advice on the preparation of an EU strategy on Violence against Women in October 2010. On 24-25 November 2010, OHCHR organized a two-day Expert workshop: The elimination of all forms of violence against women – challenges, good practices and opportunities. Hide

The OHCHR Regional Office for the Pacific, in partnership with the Regional Rights Resource Team and the International Services for Human Rights, held a regional training and consultation workshop for civil society representatives,(6-10 September) presenting, among other issues, a topic on violence against women. The meeting focused on raising human rights issues through local and international mechanisms. Human Rights & Rule of Law Section of UNIOSIL in Sierra Leone organised in October 2010 an interactive forum for Traditional Women Leaders in the northern region and Family Support Units and Local Court officials in Kenema district respectively, addressing human rights, child’s rights and gender-based violence with emphasis on harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation(FGM). Participants resolved to collaborate with human rights institutions to monitor, prevent and prosecute gender-based violence in their communities. Within the joint UN MDG gender programme on gender equality and women’s empowerment in the oPt and in coordination with other specialized organizations, Hide

The OHCHR supported the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences in participating in the 2010 General Assembly, including convening a side event on reparations for women who have been subjected to violence. Hide

The OHCHR Regional Office for Central America continues participation in the inter-agency group on gender by providing input to a regional project by the SG “UNiTE” Campaign, which focuses on strengthening the capacity of States in the region to improve investigation, prosecution and reparation in cases of of gender-based violence. Hide

OHCHR Regional Office for Europe provided a briefing (21 October) on the work of the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women at an International Conference on Violence against Women in Central America which took place in London and was organized by the Central America Women's Network (CAWN). Hide

Following the report of the “Panel on Reparations for Sexual Violence in the democratic Republic of Congo”, in December 2010, the OHCHR undertook a follow-up mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo to discuss the findings and recommendations of the report with all stakeholders. Hide

The OHCHR Regional Office for Central America organized a training of trainers on “Human Mobility and Human Rights”, for UN staff in the region, that included one Module on Gender Analysis of Migration and violence against women throughout the process. Hide