CRSV: During the reporting period, the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support (DPKO-DFS) rolled-out the Integrated Training Materials on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (ITM-CRSV) for newly deployed Military, Police and Civilian Focal Points who are responsible for CRSV mainstreaming and mandate implementation.
Mandated by a UN Security Council resolution, UNODC has developed a “Thematic paper on countering trafficking in persons in conflict situations” (to be published in the first half of 2018). In this context, it organized an expert group meeting at its headquarters in Vienna on 20 and 21 September 2017.
UNHCR has issued a Technical Note on UNHCR's Engagement in the Implementation of the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism for grave violations against children in armed conflict, as well as on Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence. http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/5a6edf734.pdf
In 2015, as a follow-up to OCHA’s “Keep Her Safe” commitments, the CERF secretariat incorporated a dedicated self-assessment indicator on whether sexual and gender-based violence has been considered and/or mainstreamed in project design. This data is recorded in the CERF’s Grant Management System Database for tracking and analysis purpose. This marker helps CERF determine the amount of money that goes to GBV-related issues.
In 2016 and 2017 FAO continued its work on energy access and environment with an emphasis on protracted displacement. For example, in Syria, thanks to an EU-funded FAO project on strengthening the resilience to food insecurity, crisis-affected households can now benefit from the installation of biogas digesters. These digesters provide vulnerable household with an affordable and eco-friendly fuel source and help improve women's livelihoods by relieving them of the chore of collecting fuelwood.
ESCWA, in partnership with UNFPA, UNHCR, OCHA, and the International Committee for the Red Cross, participated in a Consultation Meeting for the Committee on Protection of Arab Women during Armed Conflicts organized by the League of Arab States and UN Women. During the meeting, participants agreed on establishing an Arab Emergency Committee. ESCWA discussed the role of institutions working for women’s rights in times of stability and conflict and advocated for a wider adoption of a National Action Plan on women, peace and security in the Arab region.
UNV supports the deployment of UN Volunteers in conflict and post-conflict contexts, including peacekeeping missions. There, the UN Volunteers support the UN mandate implementation on the ground, including addressing sexual violence.
In all three Peacebuilding Fund’s Gender Promotion Initiatives, the UN Peacebuilding Support Office, UN-Women, and UN Volunteers have supported gender-responsive peacebuilding programming.
In Somalia, UNODC is implementing a project funded by UN ACTION to pilot the UNODC/WHO tool on strengthening the medico-legal response to sexual violence. Police officers were trained on criminal justice response to gender-based violence in conflict.
UNHCR's Guidelines on International Protection No. 12 on Claims for Refugee Status Related to Situations of Armed Conflicts and Violence, issued in December 2016, provide substantive guidance for assessing claims to refugee status related to situations of armed conflict and violence in accordance with the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol as well as the broader regional refugee criteria. Specific reference is made to refugee protection from sexual and gender-based violence as this common is a form of persecution in many situations of armed conflict and violence.
UNHCR deploys Senior Protection Officers (SPOs) with expertise in SGBV to UNHCR operations around the world. These UNHCR staff work for an average of six months per deployment to prioritize SGBV prevention and response at the onset of emergencies. To evaluate the deployment scheme, UNHCR developed a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework around a set of 47 essential actions across sectors that – when fully implemented – are deemed most effective at preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) during humanitarian emergencies.