Measures to Address Sexual Violence in Conflict Situations

UNIFEM, now part of UN Women, released Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice, developed with DPKO as part of UN Action and supported emergency efforts in Kyrgyzstan related to gender-based violence. Hide

UNFPA is a key partner, along with the Centre for Diseases Control, the Clinton Global Initiative and UNICEF, in a research programme on ending sexual violence against girls, that has been rolled out in 4 countries. Hide

UNFPA organized the panel of the Commission on the Status of Women on “Women, Peace and Security”. Hide

OHCHR, along with the Office of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, DPKO and UNDP, worked on the operationalization of the team of experts to be deployed to situations of particular concern with respect to sexual violence in armed conflict, in order to assist national authorities to strengthen the rule of law, as called for under Security Council Resolution 1888. At the headquarters level, UNDP and other UN entities have developed a joint programme document and secured seed funding from the UN Action Against Sexual Violence Multi-donor Trust Fund (MDTF) for an initial six month period to recruit and put in place the team of experts. Hide

In DRC,in order to strengthen assistance and support to victims of sexual violence, OHCHR has assembled a high-level panel of experts that will convene in the end of September 2010. The panel, led by the Deputy High Commissioner, will hold a series of hearings in various parts of the DRC with survivors of sexual violence as well as other actors. It will examine how victims perceive and evaluate institutional responses to the crimes committed against them. Ultimately, this project will provide a much needed advocacy tool not only for developing a reparations mechanism for all victims of sexual violence, but also for addressing the many weaknesses in the judicial system that affect prosecution of this crime in the DRC. Hide

The OHCHR/Human Rights and Transitional Justice Section in the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste worked on the Draft Laws on Reparations, through an OHCHR-funded consultant, tasked with producing the original draft laws, and the follow-up institution for the truth commissions, such as the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) and the Commission for Truth and Friendship (CTF), advocating for the inclusion of victims of sexual violence. Hide

UNHCR and the U.S.Center for Disease Control (CDC) continue to work together on a population based survey on the magnitude of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and the barriers to protection and other services among refugee populations. A feasibility mission was carried out in one refugee settlement and one urban site in Uganda. Hide

During its Standing Committee in June, UNHCR introduced the outline of its strategy for the next five years to address sexual and gender-based violence. Hide

UNHCR continues work through the newly established Stabilization and Recovery (STAREC) funding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. UNHCR received support for its consolidated program in South Kivu and Ituri provinces in the east. The main activities will be developing standard sensitization tools, training of military personnel and National Police, bolstering the capacity of community networks and targeted groups to better prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence, and facilitation of the establishment of community networks and mediation committees. Hide

In Southern Sudan, women’s security and their access to justice is a top priority for UNDP. Four Special Protection Units (SPUs) were established to provide a secure environment for women to report cases of gender-based violence. UNDP’s law enforcement project supports the SPUs. Through the SPUs, UNDP in close colalboaration with the Southern Sudan Police Service, and other UN actors, including UNIFEM, UNFPA, UNMIS and UNHCR, helps women secure services in protected and confidential environments. The SPUs, along with the training of 120 police officers is expected to increase the number of reported cases of GBV in addition to a number of cases being concluded; to increase cases of gender-based violence that are investigated and prosecuted; to reduce incidents of gender-based violence; to enhance the police responsiveness to community concerns. Hide