This field guide provides a brief overview of gender-based violence (GBV) in emergencies, outlining what Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is, the legal framework which protects individuals from such violence, and guidelines for programming options. It is designed to provide the basis for understanding and analysing situations of gender-based violence, identifying incidents of GBV, and taking steps to respond in appropriate and sensitive ways.
Key findings:
- Throughout history, gender-based violence has been a component of war and conflict. In some cases it has been an intentional strategy of humiliation and violation, while in others it was conducted randomly as “spoils of war.” Today GBV continues to be an element in almost all conflicts, targeting primarily women and girls. Gender-based violence occurs in times of peace as well as during conflict, but the conditions brought about by war and other emergencies exacerbate the tendencies towards violence. During times of conflict, normal social restraints erode. Gender-based violence is a common occurrence in conflict-affected communities because rape, torture and other violent forms of sexual assault are increasingly used as weapons of war. Conflict brings radical changes in gender roles and undermines traditional family roles and areas of authority. Incidents of domestic violence in both refugee and IDP camps increase as the length of residence in camps increases.
- There is a link between poverty and increased vulnerability to gender-based violence. In ongoing crises, children and youth may move into urban centres where both girls and boys face new risks of exploitation and gender-based violence. Female children are particularly vulnerable on the streets because they may be forced into prostitution, early marriages, or trafficked out of the country.
- Gender-based violence may result in physical, psychological and/or social harm. Survivors of gender-based violence may experience deep psychological trauma, depression, terror, guilt, shame and loss of esteem. Some survivors commit suicide rather than bear the burden of societal shame. In many societies, they may become socially marginalized because they are viewed as being unmarriageable or without virtue or honour. Other gender-based violence survivors who witness this social marginalization are unlikely to report the incidents themselves and, therefore, will not receive the support services they need.
- Gender-based violence can be substantially eliminated through appropriate prevention-oriented programming and the enforcement and recognition of international law. It can be prevented by raising awareness within affected communities, providing rights-based programming, and working to prevent physical and psychological abuses associated with war and emergency situations. Despite the existence of relevant international legal instruments, there are no means to prosecute breaches of rights covered by such conventions. Such conventions however, can pave the way to more concrete national actions that can influence local responses. In order to effectively implement gender-based violence programs, agencies need to understand the laws and conventions, and also be mindful of their enforcement mechanisms at the local, national, regional and international levels.
- Program developers should be familiar with the national and international laws that protect human rights before they design gender-based violence response programs. To be effective, assistance programs must educate the people they serve about their rights and assist in their protection.
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