United Nations Development Programme

A joint mission by UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre/Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery made recommendations to the Justice and Human Rights project in Afghanistan to enhance the involvement of women in shuras/jirgas, to raise awareness on rights and entitlements under the law, and to continue engagement with religious leaders on issues related to women in Islam. Hide

The UNDP project “Access to Justice” in Nepal supports training and the establishment of community-based paralegals to provide information, awareness, and support for women seeking redress in cases of gender-based violence. Hide

In Papua New Guinea, UNDP continued to work with faith-based organizations to strengthen the protection and support services for survivors of gender-based violence. UNDP supported the National Council of Women to maintain their protection and support services for survivors at the local level. Hide

UNDP Argentina, with UNICEF and UNIFEM, continues to support the work of a Domestic Violence Office at the National Supreme Court of Justice, which has provided assistance to 13,000 victims of domestic violence the last two years (80% women and 20% men, mainly boys). The office has collected and disseminated statistics on the issue of violence against women for the first time in the history of Argentina’s justice system. Three more similar offices opened in the provinces of Tucumán, Santiago del Estero, and Salta. Hide

In Albania, UNDP supported the establishment of a community centre in Durrës to assist victims of domestic violence which provides free legal services, and a telephone hotline. A new programme entitled “Economic Empowerment of Women Victims of Domestic Violence” was launched in FYR Macedonia in March 2010. Under this programme, UNDP will assist victims by providing opportunities for self-employment and training for skills in demand in the job market. The project is part of the Joint UN programme “Strengthening National Capacities to Prevent Domestic Violence”, supported by the Government of the Netherlands and the UN Trust Fund for Elimination of Violence Against Women. Hide

With the support of UNDP Kosovo, five Legal Aid offices, became fully operational in Gjakove, Dragash, Ferizai, North Mitrovica, and Gracanica, providing legal aid services to residents. Hide

In Somalia, UNDP continued to support the project “Access to Justice Project in Somalia” and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Hargeisa, Somaliland, now operates as a ‘one-stop’ location, where victims of GBV can receive medical care and counselling. In Democratic Republic of Congo, the project “Support Community Development for Women Associated with and Affected by Armed Conflicts” supports leadership development and economic empowerment of women associated with or affected by armed conflict. In Croatia, the project “Assistance in the Development of a Witness and Victim Support System” supports services for victims and witnesses of major criminal offences, including rape. Hide

UNDP supports the provision of free legal service, counselling, mediation and rehabilitation, as well as micro-enterprise activities. Hide