United Nations Development Programme

In Morocco, UNDP is working with UNIFEM and UNICEF to strengthen family sections of civil status courts in the implementation of the new family code which provides for much greater rights for women in marriage, divorce and alimony issues, all of which are necessary steps towards guaranteeing violence-free environment for women. In Kosovo, UNDP supported the establishment of the Anti-Trafficking Secretariat in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. UNDP and MINUSTAH are supporting the Haitian National Police to set up special police groups for increasing surveillance in the camps. Hide

A UNDP global programme to support country level work is being developed to implement priority action areas including: work with local government and with traditional entities; multi-sectoral projects, especially comprehensive poverty reduction and governance projects; research on impacts, methods and baseline data; dissemination of research; support to the Secretary General’s Campaign to End Violence Against women; and work with NGOs and local campaigns to develop capacity, end recidivism and provide counseling for survivors. 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

At the global level, UNDP is working with the Social Science Research Council and other research institutions around the world to establish the Global Center for Research on Gender and Crisis Prevention and Recovery (G-CPR). This initiative will strengthen research and capacity in the field of gender and security, including through the provision of grants to southern research institutions, with a view to informing policy and programming. 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