Measures

UNHCR continued to work on the development of an Information Management System to improve data collection and information sharing on sexual and gender-based violence (GBVIMS). UNHCR and UNFPA jointly conducted technical support missions to Uganda and Kenya. Hide

In October 2008, UNHCR finalized a three-year Strategic Plan to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence. Hide

UNHCR has developed a Strategic Plan for Reproductive Health (2008-2012), including key sexual and gender-based violence strategies on the establishment of policies, guidelines and programmes to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence; clinical management and protocols for rape survivors; access to early diagnosis; and care and treatment for rape survivors. Hide

During 2008, all UNHCR offices were required to view and discuss the film “To Serve with Pride”, produced by the ECHA/ECPS UN/NGO Task Force on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. UNHCR has also taken the lead in developing guidance for field offices in setting up community-based complaints mechanisms for sexual exploitation and abuse. Hide

In November 2008, UNESCO Addis Ababa organized a workshop for film-makers, development workers and media professionals during the 3rd Ethiopian International Film Festival in order to identify strategies for promoting greater awareness and positive behavioural change on HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence/discrimination and climate change through the medium of popular films. Several UNESCO Offices, including those in Montevideo, Brasilia and Almaty, included violence against women as a focus in their activities. Hide

Within the framework of the commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UNESCO Doha Office with the collaboration of the Qatar Foundation for Child & Woman Protection organized a workshop on “The International Conventions for the Eradication of Violence and Discrimination against Women & their Reflection on the Qatari Legislations”. Hide

In November 2008, ESCWA held the second regional workshop on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against women for Judges and Parliamentarians, with a special focus on the role of judges and parliamentarians in preventing and responding to violence against women. Hide

ESCWA participated in a meeting entitled “The effect of violence on women and family“, organized by the Doha International Institute on Family Studies and Development, in November 2008. Hide

Throughout 2008, UNDP-supported community conversation sessions were organized by village facilitators in Cambodia, in order to promote the communities’ understanding of social and legal issues related to domestic violence. Hide

In 2008, UNDP supported multi-media national and local campaigns, including during the “16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence”, in Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Zimbabwe, Niger and Myanmar. Hide