Action against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: An Updated Strategy

Executive Summary

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) threatens displaced women and girls, as well as men and boys, in all regions of the world. Creating safe environments and mitigating the risk of SGBV can only be achieved by addressing gender inequality and discrimination. While the scourge of SGBV is receiving much more attention internationally – as illustrated by Security Council Resolutions 1820, 1888 and 1960 – preventing SGBV is a complex challenge. To assist operations in addressing this core protection concern, UNHCR is presenting the Action against Sexual- and Gender-Based Violence: An Updated Strategy.

This strategy provides a structure to assist UNHCR operations in dealing with SGBV on the basis of a multi-sectoral and interagency approach. UNHCR policies and programmes have for many years helped operations to address SGBV in coordination with other actors. 80% of operations in urban settings and 93% in camp settings work with SGBV Standard Operating Procedures which strengthen cooperation between partners. Moreover, support to community-based organisations has given communities a greater sense of ownership in addressing SGBV.

Building on successful SGBV intervention models in various operations, this Action against SGBV provides instructions for UNHCR operations to build their own multi-year, operation-specific SGBV strategies at country level. Developed on the basis of a suggested matrix, these strategies will reflect the needs of different at-risk populations and be adaptable to either stable or emergency contexts, camp or rural/urban settings. The Action against SGBV underscores that the responsibility and accountability for SGBV programme development and implementation rest at the highest levels of management.

Based on an independent evaluation in 2008 which assessed UNHCR’s efforts to prevent and respond to SGBV, the Action against SGBV was elaborated in consultation with UNHCR staff, partners, persons of concern, governments and experts. It includes recommended actions in three institutional focus areas, in order to strengthen UNHCR’s capacity and expertise in addressing SGBV:

1. Data collection and analysis. Improve the quality of programmes by adopting and maintaining appropriate SGBV data collection and analysis tools and working with institutions and partners on researching and documenting SGBV.

2. Knowledge management and capacity-building. Strengthen the management of SGBV programmes by investing in capacity-building and expertise across the organisation.

3. Partnerships and coordination. Working with UN agencies, governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and displaced communities, strengthen SGBV prevention, response and coordination mechanisms for effective service delivery.

The Action against SGBV seeks to enhance the quality of protection delivery by promoting six often overlooked areas and including them, as appropriate, in a comprehensive protection strategy:

1. Protecting children of concern against SGBV. Displaced children are particularly at risk of SGBV. In addition, they face specific forms of SGBV, including harmful traditional practices and sexual exploitation and abuse.

2. Addressing survival sex as a coping mechanism in situations of displacement. Survival sex can be a direct consequence of gaps in assistance or failures of registration systems.

3. Engaging men and boys. SGBV programmes have not sufficiently involved men in prevention activities which weakens the protection environment for women and girls as well as men and boys.

4. Providing safe environments and safe access to domestic energy and natural resources. Many displaced women and girls run the risk that they will be raped, beaten or killed whenever they collect firewood, water or other essential resources.

5. Protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons of concern against SGBV. LGBTI persons of concern can face high levels of discrimination and violence, including SGBV.

6. Protecting persons of concern with disabilities against SGBV. Persons with disabilities are often at risk of SGBV and are frequently unable to access services.

Progress in preventing SGBV requires attitudinal and behavioural change in communities and among UNHCR staff and partners. Using the UNHCR Action to Prevent and Respond to SGBV as a guide, UNHCR operations will improve multisectoral programming for SGBV based on existing field practices, include targeted actions and ensure multi-sectoral prevention and response.