Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

OHCHR
Address/Websites

Palais Wilson. 52 rue des Pâquis. CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/Home.aspx

About Measure

Background

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), guided by the mandate provided by General Assembly resolution 48/141, OHCHR represents the world’s commitment to the promotion, protection and realization of the full range of rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

OHCHR has a central role in safeguarding the integrity of the three pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights and development. For 2024-2027, the Office has maintained its six thematic pillars on which its work stands, which are (1) Support to the United Nations human rights system; (2) Mainstreaming human rights within the United Nations other pillars, namely development and (3) peace and security; (4) Advancing the core human rights principles of non-discrimination, (5) accountability, (6) participation. OHCHR has identified six strategic directions, namely: 

  • Rebuilding trust and reinvigorating a global movement for human rights. 
  • Fostering inclusion and equality through a diversity approach. 
  • Enhancing early warning and advancing the global protection agenda. 
  • Promoting a human rights economy to realize rights and address inequalities. 
  • Promoting rights-based climate and environmental action. 
  • Using digital technologies and data to advance human rights. 

All areas have a strong focus on women’s human rights and gender issues, including in line with OHCHR internal policies on gender equality and the Secretary General System Wide Strategy on Gender Parity. 

 
Institutionally, OHCHR is committed to strengthening the United Nations human rights programme and to providing it with the highest quality support, by working closely with its United Nations partners to ensure that human rights are at the center of the work of the United Nations. 

Policy framework

See gender-related resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly, Security Council and Human Rights Council, and relevant subsidiary bodies. 

Areas of Focus

The mission of OHCHR is to work for the protection and promotion of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to realize their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. The Office carries out its mission with respect to gender-based violence within the overarching strategies to ensure country engagement, leadership, partnership, and support and strengthening of the Office and the human rights machinery. 

OHCHR’s unique added value in addressing gender-based violence as a UN entity lies in its monitoring mandate, enabling it to identify trends, structural causes, and consequences through case investigations and public reporting. It plays a central role in the international human rights system by supporting UN human rights mechanisms (Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures, and Universal Periodic Review) in developing recommendations and advocating for justice. With its human rights-based and survivor-centred approach, OHCHR promotes a holistic protection framework, ensuring victims’ access to services, gender-responsive accountability, and strengthened states’ capacities. OHCHR situates gender-based violence within broader gender inequalities and systemic discrimination, emphasizing the intersectionality of multiple forms of oppression that exacerbate violence and hinder access to justice. Its convening power facilitates global, regional, and national dialogues, fostering survivor participation and advancing substantive equality, prevention, and gender-transformative measures, including reparations. 

OHCHR supports the Human Rights Council, UN investigative bodies, special procedures, and human rights treaty bodies, including the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. 

Resources

For recent resources, visit: https://www.ohchr.org/en/women/gender-based-violence-against-women-and-girls  

ABOUT 177 RESULTS
Mar 2012 - Feb 2013
International Law and Policy
OHCHR, as a member of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) and United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UNGIFT) ensured a human rights based approach was mainstreamed throughout all the policy papers developed by ICAT including the joint paper View More
OHCHR, as a member of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) and United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UNGIFT) ensured a human rights based approach was mainstreamed throughout all the policy papers developed by ICAT including the joint paper on the intersection between legal regimes to combat trafficking was produced. OHCHR also continues to promote the application of the Recommended Principles and Guideline on Human Rights and Human Trafficking through the organisation of regional and sub-regional launchings of the Commentary (an in depth analysis of the legal and policy frameworks on trafficking) in parallel with capacity building workshops.OHCHR provided support to the CEDAW Committee in its regional consultations on the drafting of a general recommendation on the realization of women’s rights in conflict and post-conflict, also providing financial support for two regional women’s NGO groups to participate in the consultation in Africa. Hide
Mar 2012 - Feb 2013
Sexual Violence in Conflict
OHCHR developed a two-day specialised course on monitoring and investigating conflict related sexual violence; briefed the C.34 on its work on sexual violence, together with DPKO and the Office of the SRSG SVC; supported research to understand patterns and consequences of sexual violence during the View More
OHCHR developed a two-day specialised course on monitoring and investigating conflict related sexual violence; briefed the C.34 on its work on sexual violence, together with DPKO and the Office of the SRSG SVC; supported research to understand patterns and consequences of sexual violence during the 1999 conflict in Kosovo, including gaps in access to justice, institutional capacity needs, and perspectives of survivors with regard to reparations; and together with UN Women is finalizing a draft guidance note concerning reparations for victims of conflict-related sexual violence. Hide
Mar 2012 - Feb 2013
UN ACTION
OHCHR continued to work closely with the Standing Committee on Women, Peace and Security on implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 and within UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict and, through this network and in cooperation with all relevant UN entities, has been closely involve View More
OHCHR continued to work closely with the Standing Committee on Women, Peace and Security on implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 and within UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict and, through this network and in cooperation with all relevant UN entities, has been closely involved in the development of guidance for the operationalization of SC resolutions on conflict-related sexual violence. Hide
Mar 2012 - Feb 2013
Responses and Services
In Guinea Bissau, OHCHR supported and provided technical assistance to national NGO Djinopi in the organisation of the Islamic Conference on combatting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), where a Declaration by the Imams of Guinea Bissau on the Abandonment of FGM was adopted. View More
In Guinea Bissau, OHCHR supported and provided technical assistance to national NGO Djinopi in the organisation of the Islamic Conference on combatting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), where a Declaration by the Imams of Guinea Bissau on the Abandonment of FGM was adopted. Support to Djinop also resulted in the publishing of a “Golden Booklet” in English, French, Portuguese and Arabic containing short Islamic studies and statements against FGM. Hide
Mar 2012 - Feb 2013
International Law and Policy
OHCHR submitted two papers on the application of a human rights approach to prevention of violence against women and human rights based approach to multi-sectoral responses as part of the preparation of the SG’s reports for the 57th CSW session. View More
OHCHR submitted two papers on the application of a human rights approach to prevention of violence against women and human rights based approach to multi-sectoral responses as part of the preparation of the SG’s reports for the 57th CSW session. Hide
Mar 2012 - Feb 2013
Responses and Services
In Togo and Chad, OHCHR supported activities on the implementation of UPR and CEDAW recommendations on violence against women. View More
In Togo and Chad, OHCHR supported activities on the implementation of UPR and CEDAW recommendations on violence against women. Hide
Mar 2012 - Feb 2013
Prevention and Advocacy
OHCHR raised awareness amongst women human rights defenders In North Africa and the Middle East (Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria and Yemen) on the UN framework on the protection of human rights defenders, including gender dimensions. View More
OHCHR raised awareness amongst women human rights defenders In North Africa and the Middle East (Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria and Yemen) on the UN framework on the protection of human rights defenders, including gender dimensions. OHCHR also organised a workshop in Beirut on the role of the UN in supporting the work of women human rights defenders in the Middle East and North Africa region. Hide
Mar 2012 - Feb 2013
IANWGE
OHCHR undertook a project on mapping of women’s access to justice in non-conflict and conflict contexts by members of the Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE) taskforce. View More
OHCHR undertook a project on mapping of women’s access to justice in non-conflict and conflict contexts by members of the Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE) taskforce. Hide
Mar 2012 - Feb 2013
National Policies
In Latin America, OHCHR and UN Women, together with the Spanish Federation of Human Rights Organizations and the Carlos IIII University of Madrid supported the formulation of a regional Protocol for the investigation of Femicide. View More
In Latin America, OHCHR and UN Women, together with the Spanish Federation of Human Rights Organizations and the Carlos IIII University of Madrid supported the formulation of a regional Protocol for the investigation of Femicide. The protocol will assist in strengthening national capacities to investigate, prosecute, punish and redress femicide. The Protocol will be promoted through, inter alia, regional and international human rights mechanisms. In Kosovo, OHCHR supported the development of a national action plan on Security Council resolution 1325. Hide
Mar 2012 - Feb 2013
Sexual Violence in Conflict
OHCHR also supported field office work, including: activities to increase access to justice (mobile courts, legal clinics, training of judges); support on holding investigations; and support to the judicial data project. View More
OHCHR also supported field office work, including: activities to increase access to justice (mobile courts, legal clinics, training of judges); support on holding investigations; and support to the judicial data project. In the DRC, a five pilot initiative to provide support to over 1000 survivors of sexual violence in the areas of Bukavu and Shabunda was implemented. Hide