Measures to Address Sexual Violence in Conflict Situations

The OHCHR continued to work closely with the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SVC) to support her mandate through the provision of information and support in connection with country visits; support to staff fielded by the SRSG SVC for specific purposes and joint follow-up to SRSG SVC’s visit. OHCHR also provided secretariat support to Commissions of Inquiry created by the Human Rights Council. UN Women supported these Commissions by seconding a gender advisor to ensure adequate attention and treatment of violence against women, including appropriate collection and storage of evidence and protection of survivors’ confidentiality. Hide

OHCHR, UNFPA and other UN agencies participated in the work of the Standing Committee on Women, Peace and Security of INAGWE and in 2011 was closely involved in the development of the 1325 Strategic Framework and in the technical development of relevant 1325 indicators. Hide

OHCHR supported the organization of a full-day discussion on women’s rights at the 17th session of the Human Rights Council, which focused on the prevention of violence against women and conflict-related violence against women and girls. Hide

In Senegal, OHCHR was part of the national steering committee supporting the Ministry of Gender in the formulation of a national action plan on Security Council Resolution 1325. Hide

In Somalia, UNHCR is working with UNDP on several programmes to improve security and prevent sexual violence. Neighbourhood watch scheme were set up, and cooperation with the police was strengthened to prevent and respond to sexual violence in IDP camps. In Colombia, UNHCR established partnerships with government agencies and civil society organizations to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) at national, regional and local levels, to ensure implementation of prevention and response strategies at all levels. Hide

DPI’s UN Radio produced a variety of programmes in the six UN official languages plus Kiswahili and Portuguese on violence against women, including features on abuses suffered by women in conflict and post-conflict situations. Hide

In Sudan, the Human Rights Section of UNAMID organized workshops addressing sexual gender-based violence in West Darfur; it has developed and install billboards related to sexual gender-based violence around South Darfur; it has produced leaflets on the mandate, role and services of the Family and Child Protection Units; and it has trained State actors on human rights and criminal investigation procedures. Hide

The Joint Human Rights Office of MONUSCO (Democratic Republic of Congo - DRC) issued special reports on sexual violence notably in the DRC. It is also implementing a program to increase access to justice for victims and witnesses, including through technical and financial assistance to local non-governmental organizations to enable them to provide free legal advice to victims of sexual violence, as well as support to prosecutors and judicial investigators. Hide

As a member of the “Gender is my agenda campaign” (GIMAC), the ECA co-hosted the 19th Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting, in partnership with Femmes Afrique Solidarité and The Mary Robinson Foundation–Climate Justice, in January 2012. Participants recognized the need to intensify measures to end violence against women and girls, especially in the areas of sexual violence in conflict. Hide

In September 2011 ECLAC, together with UNFPA, organized a regional dialogue on violence and safety of women in conflict and post-conflict environment in efforts to promote the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1325. This dialogue was launched with a three-day workshop entitled “Experts Workshop for the discussion of a Regional Training Program on Women, Peace and Security in Latin American and the Caribbean”, to provide a space for debate and exchange of experiences on the link between gender violence and physical autonomy on the one side, and situations of insecurity, conflict and post-conflict on the other, including the needs for training in this area in the region. Hide