EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SGBV is a growing concern for thousands of women, girls, men and boys affected by the Syria and Iraq crises. Women and girls as well as men and boys face increased risks and multiple forms of violence as a result of the conflict and displacement, including forced and early marriage, sexual violence, including sexual abuse and exploitation and domestic violence. The situation of refugees in both camp and non-camp settings and the growing phenomena of mixed migration situations throughout the Middle East and North Africa require the adoption of different assistance strategies and methods on the part of the humanitarian community.1 Thus, SGBV continues to be a key concern for people affected by the crisis in the MENA region and the prevention and response to SGBV a key area of engagement for UNHCR.
In support for multi-sectorial and coordinated SGBV prevention and response, this report outlines strategies, in line with international standards, that UNHCR uses in coordination with national authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other partners across the region, to bring tangible results in preventing and responding to SGBV in refugee situations, as well as in the inter-agency response in situations of internal displacement.2 Despite the variations in context seen throughout the region, many of the good practices highlighted in this report can be replicated and scaled up to achieve a greater, longer-term prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence. The collective action of countries, together with international and national actors and communities, in SGBV prevention and response is a vital investment in the future of the MENA as a region free from violence.
UNHCR Programming to Address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence :
UNHCR’s global SGBV strategy, entitled Action Against SGBV, focuses on improving the quality, effectiveness and coherence of SGBV programming, while tackling the root causes of SGBV by empowering women and girls, working constructively with men and boys, and promoting nondiscrimination.
UNHCR supports multi-sectorial SGBV prevention and response programming in four key areas of intervention (health, psycho-social services, protection, and legal aid) at structural, systemic and operative levels, adhering to the established guiding principles in UNHCR Regional Strategic Approach to SGBV Prevention and Response.
A Rights Based Approach to Preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence :
Recognizing that the needs and capacities of refugees may differ considerably on the basis of age, gender, disability and other factors, UNHCR supports regular participatory assessments to understand the needs and concerns of women, men, girls and boys and tailor SGBV programmes, accordingly, in keeping with an age, gender and diversity (AGD) approach.3 The AGD approach emphasizes the importance of analysing the diversity of the refugee population to better understand the multifaceted protection risks and capacities of individuals and communities, and to address and support these more effectively to promote the full enjoyment of human rights, including rights to be protected against SGBV.
Investing in National Systems and Capacity :
In order to achieve sustainable SGBV prevention and response UNHCR provides governments with technical advice and financial support to address protection gaps in national legal framework related to SGBV in line with the international standards. This includes mapping the legal frameworks and services in place to address SGBV, in countries across the MENA region, to identify the gaps and to design and implement strategies to address these gaps.
Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence :
UNHCR’s prevention efforts aim at identifying and addressing the root causes and contributing factors of SGBV, and designing strategies to improve protection for all refugee community members. UNHCR aims to make positive changes in gender relations and power dynamics within the community towards the prevention of SGBV through strengthening the community-based protection approach, raising awareness on SGBV, empowering women and girls, and engaging men and boys in SGBV prevention and response.
Addressing Specific Areas of Concern for SGBV Prevention and Response :
UNHCR has put a range of services in place in both camp and urban settings to prevent and respond to SGBV by targeting the certain refugee populations who are still often overlooked in SGBV programming, including children, refugees with disabilities, older people, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons of concern. UNHCR works with NGOs, government actors and service providers to tailor programmes to also target specific areas of concern for SGBV prevention and response that may not receive sufficient attention from SGBV programmes, including early marriage, survival sex, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Specialized Services for SGBV Survivors :
In 2014, some 84,566 refugees, who survived or were at risk of SGBV received specialized support through interagency efforts in the countries involved in the Syrian refugee response.
UNHCR works with government and non-government partners to establish safe and confidential reporting, SGBV referral and follow up mechanisms, and to raise community awareness of these mechanisms and available services. In line with its guiding principles as outlined in the Regional Strategic Approach to SGBV Prevention and Response, UNHCR focuses on ensuring SGBV survivors have access to culturally appropriate services including psycho-social support, health, protection and legal aid that are accessible, free or affordable.
Strengthening Advocacy and Partnership :
UNHCR seeks sustainable partnerships with key government actors as primary partners in SGBV prevention and response throughout the MENA region. UNHCR also collaborates and coordinates with other key stakeholders including sister UN agencies, NGOs as well as communities and refugees themselves to maximise the effectiveness and efficiency of SGBV prevention and response through complementary interventions, standards and tools, joint programming, and common advocacy interventions
Improving Data Collection and Analysis :
Data collection and analysis are the backbone of results-based SGBV programming. It is critical to the effectiveness of targeted service delivery, advocacy, policy development, and accountability and monitoring. UNHCR has supported the rollout of the Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) to ensure the safe, ethical, and confidential collection, management and sharing of SGBV data in various operations.
Advancing Global Initiatives :
UNHCR is committed to advancing the global initiatives “Safe from Start” and “Call to Action” to reinforce SGBV prevention and response programming in its operations across the world. “Safe from the Start” is an initiative supported by the United States of America (US) Department of State to ensure quality services are available for SGBV survivors at the onset of an emergency through timely and effective humanitarian action. The “Call to Action on Protecting Girls and Women in Emergencies (Call to Action)” initiative was launched by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) to mobilize donors, UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders in better protecting women and girls in humanitarian emergencies.