Measures

WHO developed a Handbook for the documentation of interpersonal violence prevention programmes, which provides guidance on how to document violence programmes, as a basis for monitoring and evaluation of interventions to prevent and reduce violence. It also developed Preventing child maltreatment: a guide to taking action and generating evidence to assist countries to design, deliver, and measure the impact of programmes for the prevention of child maltreatment by parents and caregivers; and Preventing injuries and violence: A guide for ministries of health, which provides guidance to ministries of health for a public health approach to violence prevention. It covers policy development, data collection, advocacy work and capacity building. Hide

WHO’s guidelines for medico-legal care for victims of sexual violence have been pilot-tested in Jordan, Nicaragua and the Philippines. Hide

WHO developed in collaboration with UNHCR, UNFPA and the International Committee of the Red Cross “The Clinical management of rape survivors: developing protocols for use with refugees and internally displaced persons (updated, 2005)’. These guidelines provide guidance on setting up rape services in emergency settings. Following an expert consultation in December 2006, WHO is finalizing Safety and ethical recommendations for data collection, monitoring and research on sexual violence in conflict. WHO also developed training programmes for health providers and technical support for the integration of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict settings (Burundi, Congo, Liberia and Sudan). Hide

Follow-up activities to the WHO World report on violence and health, 2002, and the multi-country study, include launches in over 50 countries; national reports on violence and health; the appointment of focal points on violence in ministries of health in almost 100 countries; and the development of policies on violence against women in collaboration with regional and national partners. The Pan-American Health Organization has developed a model of laws and policies on domestic violence against women that has been validated by four countries in the region and will be implemented in 8 countries. WHO is working closely with UNICEF and other partners to follow up on the Secretary-General's study on violence against children. Hide

WHO, with other partners, is developing a framework of interventions for prevention of intimate partner violence and sexual violence that can be integrated into HIV prevention activities. A consultation on addressing violence against women in HIV testing and counselling took place in January 2006 and a meeting report with recommendations and good practices is available.WHO convenes the working group on violence against women of the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS to promote advocacy and communication activities on the intersections of violence against women and HIV/AIDS. WHO has undertaken advocacy and awareness-raising initiatives on violence against women, including sensitization of multidisciplinary groups. Hide

In May 2007 WHO convened an international Expert Meeting on Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence to inform WHO's future work in this area. The purpose of the meeting was to review the effectiveness of current approaches for preventing new occurrences of intimate partner and sexual violence; to identify WHO's role on primary prevention; and to identify potential activities and products for WHO. Participants discussed strategies, implementation in resource-constrained settings, and obstacles and opportunities for scaling up. The group agreed that WHO should issue guidance on how to implement primary prevention strategies and monitor their impact, process and guiding principles. Hide

In 2004, WFP collected data in 28 country offices in the framework of its Enhanced Commitment to Women Baseline Survey Initiative, and qualitative data to complement the surveys in 6 more countries, of which some were conducted in collaboration with UNHCR. The surveys determined the awareness levels of male and female beneficiaries of: the fact that they are not to provide any favour in exchange for receiving food; and the channels available to them to report cases of abuse linked to food distribution. Hide

In Northern Uganda, WFP works in particular with formerly abducted girls, providing support for counselling and facilitating their reintegration in the community of origin. In Côte D’Ivoire, WFP supports young girls raped by military groups and children born out of rape. Hide

WFP has developed a concept paper that examines protection and gender issues related to WFP’s operations in both conflict and post-conflict situations, with particular attention to gender-based violence. Hide

In Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia, WFP has taken an active role in promoting the rights of women and girl victims of FGM/C through awareness-raising campaigns and information sharing at all levels, including regional initiatives. WFP also contributed to the policy dialogue with government counterparts and key stakeholders during the sub-regional conference on FGM/C held in Djibouti. Hide