UNSD has supported the development of methodological work, including the Guidelines for Producing Statistics on Violence against Women—Statistical Surveys (2014) and the Manual on Integrating a Gender Perspective into Statistics (2016).
The United Nations Statistics Division continues to serve as the Secretariat of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Gender Statistics (IAEG-GS). Since 2006, the group has met annually to assess progress and explore strategies to enhance gender statistics, including data on violence against women, at national and global levels. Each meeting reviews achievements, identifies challenges and gaps, and provides guidance on future efforts to advance gender statistics.
In July 2024, OHCHR published a report on the solutions to promote digital education for young people and to ensure their protection from online threats (A/HRC/57/28) promoting a gender-responsive response in view of the gender digital divide and the gendered dimensions of online attacks.
OHCHR offers technical assistance to strengthen national legal and policy frameworks by aligning them with international human rights standards. Support includes guidance on translating human rights mechanisms’ recommendations in concrete laws and policies, in building institutional capacities and ensuring multidisciplinary systems are in place to address the root causes and risk factors for femicide, including domestic violence.
Through a partnership with UN Women and Justice Rapid Response, OHCHR has deployed gender experts to United Nations investigation bodies and mechanisms such as Commissions of Inquiry (COI) and Fact-Finding Missions (FFM).
Effective monitoring and reporting of cases of gender-based violence contributes to increased accountability and reduced impunity in order to better prevent such violence in all contexts where OHCHR operates. OHCHR has developed a blended training on monitoring/investigating and reporting on gender-based violence for human rights officers, including from field presences, peace mission, investigative bodies and HQ sections, adopting a human rights- and evidence-based approach.
We have presented in-depth thematic reports on harmful practices, in particular witchcraft, female genital mutilation, and child, early and forced marriage at the Human Rights Council and used their recommendations in our advocacy with States. All reports emphasized that harmful practices are deeply rooted in gender inequality and patriarchal norms, violate women and girls’ human rights, and require stronger legal, policy, and coordinated efforts to be eradicated.
With the support of a psychologist, OHCHR prepared training material on trauma informed interviewing, with a specific focus on survivors of sexual violence, to respond to a growing demand from field colleagues.
OHCHR has been taking part in the UNiTE Campaign/16 Days of Activism every year with various activities and communications, providing support to field presences through the preparation of key messages and with the organization of joint events with partners. Every year, OHCHR commemorates the International Day for Women Human Rights Defenders as part of the UNiTE/16 Days campaign, highlighting the violence they face and the historical and present role they play in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights, OHCHR launched a campaign to encourage meaningful actions by Member States, with the dedicated aim to show commitment towards improving communities, nations, everyone’s human rights. As a result, 56 States have pledged on women’s rights and gender equality, with a strong focus on the elimination of gender-based violence.