Measures

At the third session of UNESCAP’s Committee on Emerging Social Issues, 12 to 14 December 2006, the Executive Secretary called attention to the Secretary-General’s in-depth study on all forms of violence against women. Copies of the study were circulated to all Member States and Observers. The Committee considered the document entitled “Emerging issues and challenges related to gender and development” (E/ESCAP/CESI (3)/3) which covered the key findings of and recommendations of the Secretary-General’s study. Hide

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2007, the United Nations system celebrated with a panel presentation and discussion, exhibition, and film screening on the global theme of ‘Ending impunity for violence against women’. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP and Executive Director of UNAIDS called for universal respect for women’s human rights and an end to all forms of violence against women and impunity. Copies of the Secretary-General’s study were widely distributed. Hide

ESCAP disseminates information about prevention of violence against women and trafficking, and encourages stakeholder participation in such efforts. It organizes panel discussions, film festivals and screenings to increase awareness among different stakeholders. For example, ESCAP has facilitated the production and screening of a short film, called Young Men Speak Out. Hide

The IASC Task Force on Gender and Humanitarian Assistance issued a statement of commitment on actions to address gender-based violence, re-emphasizing members’ individual and collective responsibility to undertake concerted action aimed at preventing gender-based violence, ensuring appropriate care and follow-up for victims/survivors of sexual violence and working towards holding perpetrators of sexual violence accountable.In 2005, the IASC Task Force on Gender and Humanitarian Assistance published Guidelines for Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Emergencies: Focusing on Prevention and Response to Sexual Violence. The Guidelines are a tool for actors in the field to establish a multi-sectoral coordinated approach to gender-based violence programming in emergency settings. OCHA’s role has been to provide support for the development and use of the IASC Guidelines. Hide

OCHA’s Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) has produced a number of publications and videos on violence against women in war, and on female genital mutilation. OCHA contributes to awareness-raising and outreach by informing communities about the availability and value of support services for victims of gender-based violence, including sexual violence. It disseminates information on international humanitarian law to arms bearers. Hide

OCHA staff is sensitized on the prevention of gender-based violence, and all partners and staff are informed about applicable codes of conduct. The Office implements confidential complaints mechanisms on gender-based violence, including sexual violence against women and is responsible for managing the sexual exploitation and abuse focal point network. Hide

As the secretariat for the Humanitarian Coordinator at field level, OCHA ensures attention to gender-based violence and facilitates the implementation of appropriate solutions. When appropriate, OCHA acts as co-chair of the coordinating agencies in regard to prevention of and response to gender-based violence. Hide

As follow-up to Security Council resolutions 1308 and 1325 (2000), the UNAIDS Office of Security and Humanitarian Response is providing support to strengthen HIV/AIDS education within international peacekeeping operations. It also assists countries to strengthen their HIV/AIDS responses for national uniformed services, including through the development of a training manual, which includes a section on coercion and sexual violence. Hide

UNAIDS is working with partners to clarify linkages and effective programmes on violence and HIV in emergency affected populations. A number of activities, funded by Department for International Development (UK), were carried out, including:- A review, in collaboration with WHO, of epidemiological evidence of the links between HIV and gender-based violence in emergency settings- Participation in UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, a global initiative on gender-based violence in emergency settings- Support to regional task forces on gender-based violence in emergency settings- Collaboration with WHO in building capacity in the clinical management of sexual violence in emergencies- Collaboration with FAO on building the capacities for addressing underlying causes of transactional sex. Hide

Recent fundraising efforts by UNAIDS and the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS helped establish a window in the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, managed by UNIFEM, to support and document promising interventions on violence against women and AIDS. Private sector donations have contributed towards year two of the HIV window in the Trust Fund.UNAIDS, together with WHO, the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS and other partners, has also formed a technical working group to propose recommendations on how to improve attention to violence within the national AIDS response and how to strengthen the linkages between AIDS programmes and programmes and services focusing on women's rights and violence against women. Hide