IASC Guidelines for Gender Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Settings

Gender Based Violence is especially problematic in the context of complex emergencies and natural disasters, All humanitarian actors must take action, from the earliest stages of any emergency to prevent sexual violence and provide appropriate assistance North Darfur, Aboushok Camp Market

Gender-Based Violence GBV is a violation of universal human rights, protected by international human rights conventions, including –the right to security of person, –the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, –the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, –the right to life

Definition of GBV No agreed upon definition “GBV” “SGBV” “GBV including SV” ….

Types of GBV Sexual violence –Often common in acute emergencies –underreported –Rape, SEA, sexual slavery Trafficking Domestic Violence –reported in natural disasters and post conflict settings Harmful traditional practices –FGM, forced, early marriages –Can be increased in post-conflict, reconstruction and recovery phases Most reported incidents involve female survivors/victims and male perpetrators, but men and boys are also affected particularly when in detention or subjected to torture

Examples Burundi Sexual Violence survey women surveyed – 19% experienced sexual violence Rwanda: 250,000 to 500,000 survivors of rape and 67% of them became infected with HIV. DRC 5% of the population was HIV positive before the war in In 2002 it was 20% in the East of DRC. After Hurricane Mitch, 27% of female survivors in Nicaragua told surveyors that woman battering had “increased in the wake of the hurricane in the community.”

Measures to Prevent and Respond to GBV New IASC Guidelines, that recommend key interventions for preventing and responding to GBV in humanitarian emergencies

IASC WG November 2003 –Ongoing and increasing concern about SV in humanitarian settings –IASC TF on Gender and Humanitarian Assistance asked to develop guidance –UNFPA took the lead Background to developing the guidelines

Process of developing the Guidelines Initial wide-ranging discussions –Guidance exists but implementation is lacking –Integrate GBV considerations in all humanitarian planning and programming –Only multi-sectoral responsibility with mutual accountability will have an impact Dedicated focal points took off “agency hats” Wide participation of field-based colleagues Financial contributions from TF member agencies

IASC Matrix Sectors and Functions Emergency Preparedness Minimum prevention and response Comprehensive prevention and response 1.Coordination1.1 Action Sheets Assessment and Monitoring Protection Human Resources Water and Sanitation Food security and Nutrition Shelter, site planning, non-food Health, community services Education IEC10.1

Matrix: Protection sector Sectors and Functions Emergency Preparedness Minimum prevention and response Action Sheets Comprehensive prevention and response Protection (legal, social and physical) Review national laws, policies and enforcement realities on protection from GBV Identify priorities and develop strategies for security and prevention of violence Encourage ratification, full compliance and effective implementation of international instruments. Promote Human Rights, international humanitarian law, and good practices Develop mechanism to monitor, report, and seek redress for GBV and other human rights violations Train all staff on international standards 3.1 Assess security and define protection strategy 3.2 Provide security in accordance with needs 3.3 Advocate for implementation of and compliance with international instruments Expand prevention of and response to GBV Provide TA to judicial and criminal justice systems for reforms and effective implementation of laws Strengthen national capacity to monitor, and seek redress for violations of HR / IL Encourage ratification of international instruments Promote HR, IHL and good practices Ensure that GBV is addressed by accountability mechanisms Ensure programs for DRR include women and children, survivors and children born of rape Provide training to security forces, judges, lawyers, health etc…

Action Sheets Written and reviewed by HQ and field subject experts Focus on prevention of and response to SV in emergencies Outline minimum required interventions to avoid morbidity and mortality due to SV Summarise existing "best practices“ Integrate SV considerations into day-to-day sectoral emergency work Do not introduce „new skills“ for which a new catagory of staff have to be trained

Dissemination Guidelines + Matrix poster + CD with resources Translated into French, Spanish, Arabic Available electronically (IASC and agency websites)

Peer review of technical contents Field review of user friendliness Field feedback on implementation and usefulness in practice Step 1 Step 2 –questionnaire Step 3 –Implementation support –Training –Meetings and workshops “ “Final” document Fieldtesting

Exercise THE SITUATION 20,000 people have been displaced by an earthquake and are moved to an improvised camp in a mountainous region. Some 1000 are still arriving each day A few health centres are scattered in the district The nearest town with a hospital is 20 km away. Women fetch water in a river close to the camp Cooking fuel is a problem but there are some woods approx 1 km away There are reports of rapes and abductions. STATISTICS 5,000 women 4,000 children STI often reported THE RESPONSE YOU are part of a team that has come to assist. You are participating in a GBV coordination meeting (the first). What do you do? How could you prevent further GBV cases and help the people that have been affected? Using the matrix, you have 30 minutes to conduct this meeting, playing yourself.

Implementation Accessibility to at risk population Dissemination of and familiarization with tools Accountability for taking action Resources needed Awareness at global level