United Nations Population Fund

In December 2007, UNFPA published A Holistic Approach to the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. This document describes the holistic approach utilized by UNFPA - such legal and policy reform, national capacity building and working at the community level – in its FGM/C abandonment programmes, and gives a brief sampling of the organization's country level experiences. Hide

UNFPA is working in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders to address gender-based violence, including training of uniformed personnel, health workers and law enforcement. Hide

UNFPA is working in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders to address gender-based violence, including outreach work with men on prevention and sensitization of populations at large. Hide

UNFPA is working in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders to address gender-based violence, including legal reforms. Hide

In December 2007, UNFPA co-hosted the Africa Regional Forum on strengthening partnerships with faith-based organizations (FBOs) for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and violence against women, with the World Conference of the Religions for Peace, in Durban, South Africa. Hide

UNFPA organized a meeting in Addis Ababa on addressing female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in August 2007, involving a wide range of stakeholders. Hide

In Kenya, UNFPA advocates for and provides counselling services for rescued girls who escaped from FGM/C or forced marriages to help them to return home without risking their health and well-being. UNFPA is working jointly with UNICEF on the prevention and treatment of sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).UNFPA promotes availability of services to victims of violence, including counselling for affected groups such as young people, pregnant women, the displaced and refugees. This entails strengthening referral networks, infrastructure and local capacity, including shelters, safe houses and legal and psychological services. Hide

UNFPA supported in Morocco the development of a comprehensive strategy to address several aspects of gender-based violence, from prevention to shelters for victims. Hide

UNFPA undertakes research and studies, for example on the socio-cultural context of violence against women, on masculinity, fatherhood, men as offenders and as protectors including religious leaders and military personnel. Hide

UNFPA employs a wide range of operational strategies to address violence against women, including the development of guidelines and tools, capacity-building and training. As such, UNFPA has supported sensitivity training of medical professionals to meet the health needs of women affected by violence. Pilot interventions have been tested in 10 countries—Cape Verde, Ecuador, Guatemala, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mozambique, Nepal, Romania, Russia and Sri Lanka. It has also supported an international consultation on programming to address gender-based violence. Hide