Protection Gender and Inclusion PGI Brief Sexual and

Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) Brief Sexual and Genderbased Violence (SGBV)

Protection, Gender and Inclusion Brief – Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) What is SGBV? § How it fits within PGI: Part of the Protection (“P”) aspect. § Definition: An umbrella term for any harmful act that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to a person on the basis of their gender. § A result of gender inequality and abuse of power. § Includes but not limited to: sexual violence, domestic violence, trafficking, child marriage, forced prostitution, sexual exploitation and abuse, and denial of resources, opportunities and services.

Protection, Gender and Inclusion Brief – Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) What is the background? § SGBV is an issue faced by communities in all contexts, as it is based on structural gender inequalities and power dynamics. It is not limited to conflicts but happens in all types of humanitarian crises. § SGBV is often life threatening and impacts a survivor’s daily life, dignity, rights, livelihoods, and health. § SGBV is violation of human rights and that some types of SGBV are also violations of international humanitarian law and domestic laws. § Humanitarian operations still tend not to adequately consider the needs of women and girls who have been exposed to SGBV, but often also completely overlook men, boys and sexual minority groups as survivors of SGBV in their needs assessments, discussions with communities, during data collection, and humanitarian response programming.

Protection, Gender and Inclusion Brief – Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) What are common forms of SGBV in emergencies? § § § § Harassment Sexual violence Intimate partner violence Domestic violence Child marriage Sexually exploitation including by emergency responders Trafficking in human beings

Protection, Gender and Inclusion Brief – Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) What are gender, age and disability aspects? § People have different vulnerabilities based on their gender, age and disability status. Women and men might have different cultural expectations and face discrimination and violence based on their gender. This is often the case for women and girls. § Male survivors encounter significant barriers in accessing basic services due to their gender. § Children’s vulnerability to SGBV stems from the fact that they depend on their parents or caregivers for their development, health and wellbeing. § Persons with disabilities and sexual and gender minorities are at significantly higher risk of different forms of SGBV. §

Protection, Gender and Inclusion Brief – Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) What standards apply? § Human rights law, for some types of SGBV international humanitarian law § Sexual and gender-based violence: RC/RC Joint action on prevention and response resolution. § SGBV mitigation is part of the IFRC Minimum Standards for Protection, Gender and Inclusion in Emergencies § UNFPA's “Minimum Standards for Prevention and Response to GBV in Emergencies (GBVi. E)” provide detailed guidance and list basic actions for all humanitarian agencies. These can support the PGI Minimum Standards.

Protection, Gender and Inclusion Brief – Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) What standards apply? § Survivor-centred approach § § § The survivor-centred approach creates a supportive environment in which the survivor’s rights and wishes are respected, their safety is ensured and they are treated with dignity and respect. This approach is defined by four guiding principles: 1) Safety, 2) Confidentiality, 3) Respect, and 4) Non-discrimination Survivors have the right to a range of services (protection, health, psychosocial and legal support) as part of a survivor-centred response, but the Red Cross and Red Crescent may not be able to provide all of them. The Red Cross Red and Red Crescent should always ensure coordination with other organisations and services so that survivors have access to the support they need Only take action with the informed consent of the survivor.

Protection, Gender and Inclusion Brief – Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) What action can be taken? § The guiding principle for all actions to address SGBV must be: Do no harm This means considering carefully: is the action safe, is it dignified, does it meet minimum standards, is it what the survivor wants, etc. § Any concerns about SGBV must be taken seriously and addressed confidentially

Protection, Gender and Inclusion Brief – Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) What action can be taken? § § § Ensure risk of SGBV is mitigated through meeting the minimum standards and integrating SGBV prevention and response in emergency plans of action (EPo. As) Map out and disseminate local referral services and pathways for survivors of SGBV among staff and volunteers. Include messages on SGBV prevention and referrals within community outreach. Provide or help others to deliver essential services (including medical services, psychosocial support, safe space) to survivors of SGBV Include SGBV prevention and response in humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy. Seek partnerships and coordination with UNFPA, International NGOs and local NGO working on SGBV prevention and response.

Protection, Gender and Inclusion Brief – Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) Resources § § § § The RCRC SGBV resolution (2015) http: //rcrcconference. org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/04/32 IC-AR-on-Sexual-and-gender-based-violence_EN. pdf IFRC – RCRC National Societies: SGBV in humanitarian crises appeal 2019 -2022 https: //media. ifrc. org/ifrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/IFRC-NS-appeal_OSLO-SGBVConference. pdf IFRC: Unseen, unheard: Gender-based violence in disasters – Global study (2015) https: //www. ifrc. org/fr/introduction/principles-and-values/gender 1/preventing-and-respondingto-gender-based-violence-gbv-in-disasters/ IFRC: The responsibility to prevent and respond to SGBV in disasters and crises (2017) https: //media. ifrc. org/ifrc/document/responsibility-prevent-respond-sexual-gender-basedviolence-disasters-crises/ IFRC: Global study – Effective law and policy on gender equality and protection from sexual and gender-based violence in disasters (2017) https: //media. ifrc. org/ifrc/document/effective-law-policy-gender-equality-protection-sexualgender-based-violence-disasters-global-case-study/ IFRC: Minimum standards for protection, gender and inclusion in emergencies (2018) https: //media. ifrc. org/ifrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/11/Minimum-standards-forprotection-gender-and-inclusion-in-emergencies-LR. pdf