Measures to Address Sexual Violence in Conflict Situations

WHO co-chairs the IASC Sub-working group on gender and humanitarian action and is actively involved, including as members of UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, in responding to sexual and gender-based violence in emergencies. Hide

A consultation was held to develop the WHO ethical and safety recommendations for researching, documenting and monitoring sexual violence in emergencies. This is now available in English and French, and translation into Arabic is under way. Hide

As part of the United Nations system-wide work programme on scaling-up HIV/AIDS services for populations of humanitarian concern, FAO carried out research on HIV AND AIDS, gender inequality, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and equal property rights in Western Kenya (Busia District). Hide

FAO closely collaborated with the IASC Task Force on Gender and Humanitarian Assistance in mainstreaming a gender perspective in humanitarian settings and raising awareness on gender issues of humanitarian officers and policy and decision-makers. In follow-up to Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, FAO integrated gender analysis in emergency and rehabilitation programmes and addressed the specific needs of the socio-economic groups most at risk of violence. Hide

FAO collaborated with the members of the IASC Task Force in the dissemination of "Guidelines for gender-based violence interventions in humanitarian settings: focusing on prevention of and response to sexual violence in emergencies" and the handbook "Women, girls, boys and men: different needs - equal opportunities", which also includes some actions to address gender-based violence. Hide

Through its “Addressing Gender-based Violence in Darfur” project, UNDP undertook a project on gender-based violence from 2006 to 2008. The project established a Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Working Group that served as a forum for coordination and collaboration; provided technical support to the SGBV committees in compiling a national plan on SGBV, in collaboration with other UN entities; established women’s committees/centres that were trained in dealing with SGBV; conducted SGBV and GBV awareness raising sessions and trainings for paralegals, judges, lawyers, the judiciary and local communities; established a partnership with the Chief Justice, the Chief Prosecutor, the Chief Attorney-General in El Fasher, in raising awareness on SGBV and on addressing it; referred several SGBV cases to the UNDP-supported Legal Aid Network. Hide

In December 2007, the Under-Secretary-General of DPA drew the attention of the heads of all DPA field missions to the initiative – UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, and to the Security Council’s Presidential Statement calling on the Secretary-General to include in his reporting to the Council information on violence against women and girls. He noted the Department’s commitment to the principles on which UN Action was based, and requested staff’s compliance with the Security Council’s request. Hide

DPKO Gender Advisers in peacekeeping missions support efforts to address gender-based violence within the work of mission components such as the UN Police (UNPOL), human rights, rule of law and public information, as an important part of their gender mainstreaming strategy. Hide

DPKO Gender Advisers are making efforts to ensure that regular reports of the Secretary- General to the Security Council highlight steps taken to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). In the field, DPKO Gender Advisers are involved in advocacy, in ensuring United Nations leadership on the issue of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) as well in strengthening national and regional efforts towards combating SGBV and they are working with peacekeeping missions’ public information units, particularly radio stations. They have also supported national organizations to spearhead campaigns on SGBV. Hide

Working in partnership with United Nations Country Teams (UNCT), DPKO Gender Advisers are also supporting national partners to develop and adopt national action plans as well as build capacity of national actors to address sexual and gender-based violence. Hide