United Nations Children’s Fund

As a follow up to the Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children, in December 2007, UNICEF supported the development of a new publication on violence against girls, entitled ” From Invisible to Indivisible” highlighting the recommendations of the Secretary-General’s study on violence against children and the study on violence against women. Hide

At the global level, UNICEF contributed extensively to the work of the General Assembly on a comprehensive policy and strategy for victims of abuse and exploitation by United Nations staff and partners. The policy, which was adopted by the General Assembly in resolution A/RES/62/214 in December 2007, explicitly notes the vulnerabilities of women and girls and seeks remedy for harm done to them. Hide

UNICEF has played a major role in the new initiative UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, as co-chair of the advocacy working group. UNICEF also supports the provision of care and support for survivors of rape, especially in conflict situations. UNIFEM and UNFPA jointly hosted an expert meeting on sexual violence in humanitarian situations to strengthen inter-agency collaborative action to combat sexual violence in crisis. UNFPA also supports the Global Call to Action to End Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict. Hide

In October 2006, together with OHCHR and WHO, UNICEF launched the UN Secretary-General’s study on violence against children. The study examined violence against children in a range of settings including: home and family, schools, workplace, institutions, and in the community. The study identifies violence against girls as a priority issue and acknowledges that girls face greater risks of neglect and sexual violence than boys. Hide

UNICEF’s current round of Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys provides data on child marriage, on attitudes towards domestic violence, and on FGM/C. The Secretary-General’s study on violence against children includes as one of its principal recommendations that States develop and implement systematic national data collection and research, calling for the disaggregating of data by sex and emphasising this as a factor in strengthening child protection. Hide

UNICEF hosted a region-wide workshop on best practices to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in South Africa which brought together representatives from more than 20 UNICEF offices in Africa, along with government partners to learn from the South African experience of addressing gender-based violence and share experiences to prevent and respond to it. Hide

Much of UNICEF’s work on gender-based violence focuses on capacity-building, with all regions increasingly prioritizing this aspect, as well as the development of a protective environment. Emphasis is placed on training of the police, the judiciary, and teachers. For example, both the West and Central Africa region and the East and Southern Africa region have developed strategies on gender-based violence and are working on capacity-building of UNICEF staff, partners and other actors to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Training materials have been developed for UNICEF staff and partners on gender-based violence. Hide

Many UNICEF country offices support the development of legislation on violence against women, including trafficking, domestic violence and sexual offences. UNICEF also works with the Inter-Parliamentary Union to strengthen legislative responses to violence against women and children. UNICEF recently published a guide for Members of Parliament on addressing violence against children. Hide

At the global level, UNICEF is actively involved in efforts to develop policies aimed at the protection of women and girls from sexual abuse and exploitation by United Nations staff and related personnel. Hide

A network of gender focal points in regional and country offices work with UNICEF’s Gender Equality and Human Rights Unit in promoting gender issues and awareness, including on violence against women and girls, through television and radio campaigns. In line with the Secretary-General’s study on violence against children, several country offices have led campaigns on violence against children, with an emphasis on violence against girls. Hide