Measures

In 2007, UNFPA developed a draft corporate strategy on gender-based violence to identify priority areas of focus for investing its resources strategically at country, regional and global levels, based on its comparative advantages and experience. The draft strategy also lays out the organization’s capacity development initiatives, resources and partnerships for an effective approach to addressing gender-based violence. Hide

UNFPA supports and advocates for the implementation of international agreements and conventions, laws and policies related to gender-based violence, as well as for government accountability. Hide

UNFPA supported in Morocco the development of a comprehensive strategy to address several aspects of gender-based violence, from prevention to shelters for victims. Hide

In 2004, UNFPA supported a campaign on honour killings in Turkey. UNFPA is working jointly with UNICEF on the prevention and treatment of sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Hide

In Kenya, UNFPA advocates for and provides counselling services for rescued girls who escaped from FGM/C or forced marriages to help them to return home without risking their health and well-being. UNFPA is working jointly with UNICEF on the prevention and treatment of sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).UNFPA promotes availability of services to victims of violence, including counselling for affected groups such as young people, pregnant women, the displaced and refugees. This entails strengthening referral networks, infrastructure and local capacity, including shelters, safe houses and legal and psychological services. Hide

OHCHR has the responsibility to provide support and advice to country and thematic special rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council, including the Special Rapporteur on violence against women. In addition to the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, over the past year the following special procedures have addressed issues related to violence against women in their reports, including from field missions, to human rights bodies:- The Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons (trafficking for the purposes of forced labour, particularly in factories and domestic work; forced marriage; and/or for purposes of sexual exploitation including in conditions of slavery and debt bondage);- The Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child pornography and child prostitution (violence against girls pertaining to abduction and rape practices; sale of girls forced to marry; domestic labour or sexual exploitation of girls; and domestic violence);- The Special Rapporteur on the right to education focused his annual report of 2006 on the girl child’s education (the socio-cultural context of gender discrimination under a patriarchal society, underpinning discriminatory behaviour, and domestic work by children as a major cause of exploitation and violence);- The Special Rapporteur on adequate housing has received an explicit mandate by the Commission on Human Rights to specifically study the issue of women, adequate housing and land. From 2002 to 2006 regional consultations were held with grass root women in Eastern Africa; Asia; Latin America and Caribbean; Central-Asia/Eastern Europe; and Euro-Mediterranean. Based on the regional consultations, the Special Rapporteur has regularly drawn the attention to linkages of lack of adequate housing with violence against women (domestic violence; impact on forced evictions accompanied by violence; and vulnerability of homeless women to violence);- The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (so-called “honor killings”; executions of women accused of adultery; and allegations of a pattern of killings affecting women or femicidio);- The Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons (sexual and gender-based violence against internally displaced women and girl-children); Hide

OHCHR continues to cooperate with various agencies such as UNICEF, UNIFEM and WHO on the development of particular tools, such as “Manual on Caring for Survivors of Sexual Violence in Conflict-Affected Areas” (with UNICEF) and “Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Researching, Documenting and Monitoring Sexual Violence in Emergencies”. Hide

OHCHR extends legal assistance to victims of violence and members of their families. In Côte d’Ivoire, OHCHR has initiated a series of high visibility activities on the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights of women as a tool to empower them in their efforts against gender-based violence. Hide

Awareness-raising activities, including on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the International Day for the Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination, addressing violence against women are a key feature of OHCHR strategic management plan. Hide

In February 2007, OHCHR formally joined the UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict. Hide