United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees

In Liberia, UNHCR, the government and other partners, was involved in drafting the Sexual Assault and Abuse Prosecution Handbook for the Criminal Court in Monrovia, which has concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute sexual and gender-based violence cases throughout the country. UNHCR also assisted with the establishment of a Sex Crimes Unit at the Ministry of Justice and sponsored a training for its staff and prosecutors in Liberia. Hide

During reproductive health and HIV field missions to MENA and West African countries, UNHCR health staff advocated with stakeholders for the strengthening of sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response and for the integration of reproductive health, including sexual and gender-based violence, into community-based outreach activities and awareness-raising campaigns.In Liberia, UNHCR and its partners supported the establishment of a new community health department and organized community health committees and volunteers. The volunteers participated in awareness-raising sessions on primary health care, reproductive health, sexual and gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS. Hide

UNHCR published a Guidance Note on Refugee Claims relating to Female Genital Mutilation. The note affirms that Female Genital Mutilation is a form of gender-based persecution and can constitute grounds for asylum according to the 1951 Refugee Convention. The guidance will be used by states and UNHCR to facilitate asylum. Hide