Selected links on Gender Based Violence

In 1993, the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women offered the first official definition of the term “Gender-based Violence” : “Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.» Gender-based violence has become an umbrella term for any harm that is perpetrated against a person’s will, and that results from power inequities that are based on gender roles. Around the world, gender based violence almost always has a greater negative impact on women and girls. For this reason the term "Gender-based Violence" is often used interchangeably with the term "Violence against Women" (VAW). GBV principally affects them across all cultures. GBV can occur throughout a woman's lifecycle, and can include all from early childhood marriage and genital mutilation, to sexual abuse, domestic violence, legal discrimination and exploitation. Here we have collect some useful links about GBV:

This represents a collection of articles, websites etc. You`ll find a wide choice of more general documents - statements and definitions of the WHO or UN, as well as more specific ones addressing f.e. the situation in some countries. Some cover Gender-based Violence allover, here is also included domestic violence against women (occurring all over the globe, also in “peaceful” countries). Some are more specific concerning GBV in the context of war or conflict.

• Definitions of Sexual and Gender-based Violence
  Part of a report-cluster which covers a wide range of aspects on GBV – quite useful. - UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2004
• WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence against Women This study analyses data from 10 countries and sheds new light on the prevalence of violence against women in countries where few data were previously available. It also uncovers the forms and patterns of this violence across different countries and cultures, documenting the consequences of violence for women’s health. No specific focus on GBV in the context of conflict and war. - UN 2000
• UNIFEM – facts and figures on VAW (violence against women)
  General overview on VAW, definitions, terms, facts. - UN 2000
• Violence against Women, its causes and consequences
  Overview over VAW, also in the context of war and conflict zones, and suggestions of topics in need of further attention. - Printable version of a speech by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, 2009.
• Definition of terms, overview over immediate medical care for sexual violence victims
  This booklet includes both an overview over the topic, the necessary procedures concerning the victims/survivors (mostly medical) in the field, as well as explanations by means of presenting the situation in some chosen countries. - Mèdecins Sans Frontieres 2009
• Gender Based Violence – “key messages”, definitions, overview, facts, statistics
  This site covers key facts as well as a wide range of statistics (globally as well as focusing on refugees and IDP`s) and a long list of references and links – very useful to gain an overview. - RHRC 2007
• Gender Based Violence – A Price too high
  Definition of GBV, broad overview, examples. Focus in general on (domestic) GBV, no specific aspects on GBV in the context of war or conflict zones. - UN Population Fund 2005
• What Social Workers should know about Gender Based Violence
  Definitions, background, implications on intervention. - NASW 2001

This represents a collection of manuals and guidelines, which try from different points of view to help field workers to cope with the aftermath of GBV, the traumas and injuries of the survivors. Very often the focus here is aimed at situations during or after war/conflict. Therefore most of these manuals are targeting more practical aspects of field work, as for instance to organize a field camp. Some provide with lots of information about GBV . Some try also to set focus on communication with the survivors, as the topic GBV is a very sensitive one and therefore sometimes difficult to approach in contact with the survivor.

• A practical approach to gender based violence – a programme guide for health care providers & managers
  Manual (74 p.) which tries to provide health care providers with the necessary information about GBV. This manual has some focus on how to approach a difficult topic to talk about, as GBV represents for most of the survivors, in a psychological way. It tries to arouse sensibility and improved interviewing skills. - UN Population Fund 2001
• Gender-based Violence Tools Manual
  This manual (207 p.) tries to cover most of administrative and organizational considerations required to establish help. Lots of form-sheets useful to organize help practically. Form-sheets for structured interviews etc. “For Assessment & Program Design, Monitoring & Evaluation in conflict-affected settings” RHRC 2004
• Facilitator's Guide - Training Manual for Multisectoral and Interagency Prevention and Response to Gender-based Violence
  This manual includes and provides information and (interactive) training to create workshops and seminars, for planning interventions to address GBV in displaced settings around the world. Most focus on administrative and practical issues, some information about mental (psychological) damage after GBV. - RHRC 2004
• Prevention and response to gender based violence
  A “camp management toolkit” which tries to cover most under practical aspects the challenge to focus on GBV, with basic examples including camp design and layout. Nothing specific about mental health. , Norwegian Refugee Council
• Clinical management of rape survivors
  Guidelines how to approach survivors of GBV, clinical management on basic level (“how to examine..”), poorly concerning mental health/psychological impact. - UNHCR 2004
• Guidelines for Gender- based Violence interventions in humanitarian settings
  Guidelines (100 p.) with focus on practical aspects and approach ( f.e. shelter, security, food). Nothing in specific about mental health. - “Prevention of and response to sexual violence in emergencies” UNHCR 2005
• Sexual and Gender-Based Violence against Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons
  Guidelines with an overview over the topic GBV, with some considerations about prevention and response. - UNHCR 2003
• Mental health of refugees
  Manual (96 p.)to help those who work with refugees/displaced persons. Here is the focus on to enable the helpers themselves to cope with the traumas of the survivors, and to raise skills in approaching the mental health problems. 10 units, suitable to set up workshops. Very useful. - UNHCR/WHO 1996
• Checklist for Action - Prevention & Response to Gender-Based Violence in Displaced Settings
  Short checklist approaching mainly practical considerations how to cope with the aftermath of GBV and the survivors. - RHRC 2004
• Communication skills in working with survivors of GBV / workshop
  A 5-day-training in communication/Trainers Workshop (194 p.). Enables participants to emphasize better in communication with survivors, and make them capable to organize a setting that takes care both of the survivor and the field-worker. Can be used to set up a workshop. Lots of form-sheets, info-leaflets, hand-outs, quite useful.
• Data-based course for instructors and participants about gender/peacekeeping
  This course is data-based (e-learning), provides with slides and other information, mainly to raise understanding and sensibility around the topic “gender and conflict/post-conflict”. Information to increase knowledge about GBV
• Sexual and Gender-based Violence - Overview
  A field manual on reproductive health in refugee situations, which provides with considerations and advice concerning prevention, responding, monitoring. - UNFPA, 1999
• Guidelines for medico-legal care for victims of sexual violence
  Solid manual (154 p.) which provides with knowledge about GBV and mostly focuses on necessary settings, but strongly practical (f.e. how to physically examine, about documentation, poorly focus on counseling). - WHO 2003
• Trauma Treatment Manual
  A guide in text-form to raise understanding for the topic GBV and trauma, and improve communication-skills for field workers helping trauma-survivors, communication examples for approach. - Ed Schmookler PhD, 2001

Here we try to present a collection of legal framework already existing. Especially The United Nations agreed on some resolutions which define the topic in a very solid mode, including suggestions to proceed. Implementing these resolutions and agreements in the reality of war-situations and preventing GBV from to happen is the issue that is to be focused on.

• UN-Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security
  Essential and fundamental UN-resolution about that topic – “impact of armed conflict on women and girls”, with proposals how to realize targets. - UN 2000
• UN-resolution 1820 on sexual violence against civilians in conflict
  Essential UN-resolution, with proposals how to monitor and how to realize targets. - UN 2008
• Strengthening the protection of Women from Torture/
  Workshop-report (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 2008). The term “torture” seen in connection with “violence against women”, and some conclusions to be drawn international, with implications on justice, reparation, other (human) rights.
• Indicators on Violence Against Women and State Response
  Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences / Human Rights Council, 2008
• International legal instruments protecting women's rights
  Collection of international resolutions, conventions, declarations (with all links), a great overview over the legal instruments which can be used. - UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs 2004
• Nairobi declaration on women`s and girl`s right to a remedy and reparation
  Conclusion/declaration as a result of an international meeting on “Women’s and Girls’ Right to a Remedy and Reparation”, held in Nairobi from 19 to 21 March 2007. Participants have been women’s rights advocates and activists, as well as survivors of sexual violence in situations of conflict, from Africa, Asia, Europe, Central, North and South America. Here`s the focus on remedy and reparation for the survivors of GBV. - Nairobi 2007
• Combating Gender Based Violence – Millennium Development Goals
  Gender-based violence seen in different contexts, with the goal to present an “advocacy kit” for some of the most important topics: in combination with poverty, reproductive health, HIV, in conflict situations. Issues and challenges with all these topics. - UN Population Fund, 2005
• Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women
  A declaration elaborated as a result after an international meeting on the topic about “violence against women”. An attempt to define women`s rights, duties of the states, etc. - Belèm/Brazil, 1995

There are lots of articles covering the topic of GBV in a more general meaning, here also including domestic violence (occurring also in “stabile” countries). We are trying here to collect some essays and articles which are highlighting the specific problems concerning GBV in war and conflict zones.

• Our Bodies - Their Battle Ground: Gender-based Violence in Conflict Zones
  “GBV – A silent, vicious epidemic”. An overview about GBV (definitions), with focus on war and conflict-zones. Some examples are given, to illustrate difficulties in approaching the problem and dealing with consequences. - UN Office for the coordination of human affairs, 2004
• Gender based violence in conflict zones - Rape as a tool of war
  Discussion of GBV, with focus on some thoughts about the necessity of prevention, psychosocial support, preventive actions, protection of women etc. - UNFPA 2004
• Crimes against Women in Situations of Armed Conflict
  An essay about VAW, with examples (impact of VAW in several war-zones, with data), included some thoughts about difficulties to reach goals (protection, support etc). - UNIFEM
• Gender based violence in conflicts, the dubious role of peacekeepers
  Listing of basic facts GBV in consideration of the role peace-keeping forces play in war-zones, and how they might interfere and become part of the problem. Useful links, committed web-blog, several authors, 2009
• Ending sexual violence in Darfur: An advocacy agenda
  This booklet gives a great overview over the impact of sexual violence under the conflict in Darfur. With focus on the impact on rape, and emerging issues as protection and health response. - Refugees international 2007
• Sexual Violence and its Consequences among Displaced Persons in Darfur and Chad
  Presenting the situation in Darfur and Chad, with some focus on the social, psychological, medical/clinical consequences of VAW. Short presentation of preferable, necessary standards for response and caretaking. - Human Rights Watch, April 2005
• ”Shattered lives - Sexual Violence during the Rwandan Genocide and its Aftermath”
  Long and solid report about the incidents during the genocide in Rwanda in 1994/95. Background, facts, description of events and crimes, recommendations for response. - Human Rights Watch 1996
• Gender Based Violence and the US war on Iraq
  This report highlights the situation for women in Iraq, and the role the US and the US-military has played in establishing the existing situation. - MADRE 2007
• Gender Based Violence against kosovar albanian women
  Long and solid report/essay describing the situation for women (Kosovo Albanians) ca 1998/99, with lots of detailed examples how GBV impacted to women then and there. - Human Rights Watch
• “After Srebrenica: Finding the will to live”
  Article about the situation of traumatized women in Srebrenica and Tuzla, and programs to help. – DHA News, april/may 1997, no 22, Emma Bonino, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs
• Sexual and Gender Based Violence against refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons
  This is a solid long (168 s.) guideline about GBV. It includes an overview about GBV, guiding principles, considerations on preventing sexual and gender-based violence, as well as thoughts about responding to GBV (health, psychosocial, legal aspects). - UNHCR 2003
• Impunity and Gender Based Violence – the second wound of rape
  Article about the necessity to focus on the legal framework essential to deal with consequences of GBV, which in many countries lacks efficiency (because of many reasons, often founded in culture, religion etc). - IRIN 2004

Female genital mutilation – FGM – represents a serious impact both to the physical and mental health of the affected women and girls. It is part of reality for many women around the world, to consider as quite severe not least because it is furthermore seen as “normal” in many ways of many of the involved persons. So it represents a major challenge to face because of the many background aspects which are to consider.

• Eliminating female genital mutilation, an interagency statement.
  Statement of the WHO about that topic, definitions, consequences and needed actions. – WHO 2008
• What strategies work to stop female genital mutilation/cutting?
• Female genital mutilation: a handbook for frontline workers
  Booklet with examples (f.e. Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda), impacts on women`s health an situation, possible prevention programs. – WHO 2000
• A statistical exploration on female genital mutilation.
  Solid long collection of data, facts and statistics. Socio-economic and demographic facts, underlying causes and attitudes, conclusions and recommendations. – UNICEF 2005
• Combating Female Genital Mutilation in Europe
  Comparative analysis of legislative and preventive tools in combating female genital mutilation (FGM) in Europe. The paper discusses the possibilities to combat the problem in Europe, where it becomes a concern too, due to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. – 2005/06
• The impact of harmful traditional practices on the girl child
  Article about the ompact of FGM on girl children. Focus on background, statistics and facts, as well as on religion, beliefs etc. Discussion of possible interactions. – UNICEF 2006

“Human trafficking” is called the practice of people being tricked, lured, coerced or otherwise removed from their home or country, then forced to work with no or low payment, or on terms which are highly exploitative. The practice is considered to be the trade or commerce of people, which has many features of slavery, and which is illegal in most countries. The victims of human trafficking are used in a variety of situations, including prostitution and forced labor and other forms of involuntary servitude. The sale of babies and children for adoption or other purposes is also considered to be trafficking in those children. A wide variety of crimes and human rights abuses are associated with trafficking. We have focused here on human trafficking concerning women and girls, as this represents a part of Gender-based Violence.

• The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols
  This is considered as the main international instrument in the fight against transnational organized crime. – UN 2000
• ”Toolkit” to Combat Trafficking in Persons
  “electronic toolkit”, with a solid collection of assessments and links, intended to provide guidance, recommend resources, facilitate the sharing of knowledge. Legal and legislative framework, law enforcement and prosecution, victim assistance and prevention, etc. – UNODOC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 2010
• Trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation in the Americas
  Overview over the topic, seen in context with human rights, health, legal framework etc. – PAHO Pan-american health organization
• Poverty, gender and human trafficking in Sub-Sahara
  “Re-thinking best practices in migration management”, solid article (141 p.) which tries to unpack the interconnectedness between human trafficking and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, based on a critical analysis of migration processes in relation to human rights abuse. – Thanh-Dam Truong, UNESCO 2006
• Revisiting the Human trafficking paradigm: the Bangladesh experience
  Definition, difficulties, possibilities. Many flowcharts. – “Trafficking thematic group” 2004
• This publication highlights the importance of considering the psychosocial approach.
• Trafficking of women
  Some articles (online links) collecting considerations about trafficking. - WomenWatch – UN 2004

Some useful links to organizations distributing information and working with survivors of GBV.

• United Nations
• World Health Organization
• Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence against Women UNIFEM - United Nations Development Fund for Women in collaboration with experts in the field
• UNHCR The United Nations Refugee Agency
• UNiTE to End Violence against Women United Nations Secretary-General´s Campaigne
• WomenWatch United Nations Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality - IANWGE
• UNFPA United Nations Population Fund- Gender - GBV
• Oneresponse Global Clusters - Protection - GBV A collaborative inter-agency website designed to enhance humanitarian coordination
• Network about Gender-based Violence
• Women`s international league for Peace and freedom
• Network about preventing GBV in Africa
• RHRC The Reproductive Health Response In Conflict Consortium
• Coalition for Women`s Human Rights in Conflict Situations
• Network about Rights&Democracy Network of Several Canadian Universities
• Women Peace Security A NGO working group on Women, Peace and Security
• About human trafficking and migrant smugglingUNODC
• Center for Health and Gender Equity
• Women won`t wait – end HIV and violence against women
• Perm Center for Assistance to Persons Suffered from Violence and Human Trafficking
• Womenaid International Caucasus
• Interagency Gender Working Group
• IRIN Humanitarian News and Analysis ServiceUN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

 

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