Measures

WHO coordinated the preparation and publication of the interagency statement on the elimination of FGM, signed by 10 UN agencies in 2008. WHO continued to strongly condemn the practice of FGM by medical professionals. UNFPA hosted an internal high-level meeting on sex selection in October 2008 in New York, to initiate the development of the Fund’s strategy on this issue. Hide

At the request of the Government of Pakistan, IOM participated in a national consultation in July 2008, on the draft Domestic Violence Bill. IOM is working with UNIFEM and civil society organizations to review and propose amendments to the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance of 2002 which, at present, does not cover internal trafficking. Hide

FAO encouraged the disaggregation of data by sex and age in the agricultural and rural sectors. Hide

Under the United Nations System-wide Work Programme on Scaling-up HIV/AIDS Services for Populations of Humanitarian Concern (PHC), in 2008 FAO analyzed the results of the research undertaken in 2007 in Kenya on the linkages between HIV/AIDS, gender inequality, and sexual and gender-based violence among populations of humanitarian concern (PHC) and refined the research tools to undertake a similar assessment in two provinces in Northern Uganda. This assessment will concentrate specifically on understanding the impact of sexual and gender-based violence on people's livelihood options, particularly among PHC. Hide

FAO is participating in the implementation of joint programmes in Guatemala and Morocco, under the One-UN initiative. The multisectorial joint Programme in Morocco aims at protecting women and girls against all forms of violence (economic, physical, verbal, psychological, sexual and trafficking) and addresses the linkages with poverty and vulnerability. Hide

UNRWA held workshops on domestic violence, a workshop for health staff on addressing major gender-based violence issues and a workshop on advocacy and campaigning in Lebanon. Protection clusters in North Lebanon were set up to train frontline staff on gender-based violence. Hide

UNRWA has developed guidelines, a referral system and a training course for health staff on handling cases of violence against women and children in UNRWA clinics. The UNRWA West Bank field office produced a draft brochure on domestic violence for health clinics. Hide

In partnership with Women Programme Centers (WPCs), UNRWA launched the “Campaign to Combat Violence Against Women”, throughout the region with events and training sessions on the sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) policy and workshops for field staff. UNRWA held workshops on domestic violence, including for Gaza staff and in the West Bank for regional staff. Protection clusters in North Lebanon were set up to train frontline staff on gender-based violence. Hide

UNRWA held weekly discussion groups for women, men, girls and families on how to deal with domestic violence and awareness sessions at WPCs on human rights and domestic violence for refugee women and volunteers. In Gaza, the Agency held a discussion group for girls, women and families, and a discussion group for men, on domestic violence. In Lebanon, the Agency led awareness sessions in camps. Approximately 5000 refugee women attended awareness-raising sessions on domestic violence by UNHCR. Hide

UNHCR organized training courses using the WHO/UNHCR Clinical Management of Rape Guidelines in East Africa and Asia. Hide