05 December 2018

Preventing Gender-Based Violence in Urban Settings

Author/Compiled by
Luisa Muenter (cewas)
Sarah Achermann (seecon international gmbh)

Executive Summary

When populations are (forcefully) displaced in face of humanitarian crises, the social networks and family units of the refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs) often get disrupted. This frequently leads to a change in traditional gender norms, which in turn can cause tensions and can put women, girls and vulnerable segments of the population at risk of Gender-Based-Violence (GBV) in areas such as schools, toilet and bathing facilitates or markets. The humanitarian Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector plays a key role in ensuring that the protection principles of safety, respect, confidentiality and non-discrimination are met. This factsheet provides an overview of GBV in humanitarian crises, of different types of GBV, of laws and policy frameworks related to GBV as well as of guiding principles and practical guidance for the prevention of and response to GBV. Explicitly related to WASH, this factsheet provides sector-specific guidance and recommended actions for implementing good practices. It also discusses challenges that WASH practitioners may face with respect to GBV. This factsheet is applicable urban settings.

Advantages
Including GBV prevention and response plans in WASH programming can reduce the risks and vulnerabilities of women, girls and other at-risk groups.
WASH service provision can be more sustainable when gender issues and GBV is addressed.
Proper Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of facilities will be promoted if risks of GBV are tackled.
Programming for GBV can build capacity in the refugee and IDP community, can reduce tensions and can promote strengthening of relationships with host communities and within families.
Disadvantages
Prioritising GBV over other humanitarian interventions (food, water, shelter) in early phase is often difficult.
Increasing expertise in GBV prevention and response in individual sectors of humanitarian intervention presents a challenge for effective action and responsibility (BUSHER 2014).
Addressing the legal and policy framework around GBV can be complicated (BUSHER 2014).
GBV is difficult to quantify and many cases of GBV go unreported.
Advocacy on GBV often does not influence the ground and there is often a disconnect between upper level humanitarian advocacy and action at the field level (THOMPSON, OKMUS and ECLAI 2014).
Refugees and IDP may come from various religious and cultural backgrounds and addressing the various gender norms and dynamics may be highly complex.

Introduction

Factsheet Block Body

Over recent years, international concern has grown over Gender-Based Violence (GBV), also known as Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), and programmes to prevent and respond to GBV have become an integral part of humanitarian crises’ response (HAMILTON 2014).

Although women and girls are often the main targets of GBV, men may also be exposed (SIDA 2015, UNHCR 2012). Other segments of the population vulnerable to GBV include those belonging to minority or indigenous groups, those that are socio-economically disadvantaged, elderly persons or those with disabilities (UNHCR 2008). GBV can be perpetrated by anyone, including individuals from the refugee or Internally Displaced People (IDP) population, individuals from host communities, humanitarian actors or persons in positions of authority (UNHCR 2015).

Types of Gender-Based Violence and their Dynamics in Humanitarian Crises

Factsheet Block Body

GBV can include physical, emotional, psychological and sexual violence (UNHCR 2015). There are several types of GBV, including:

  • Sexual violence: may take the form of rape, sexual exploitation, forced prostitution or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Humanitarian actors have found that incidents of sexual violence are significantly underreported (SGBV SWG 2015). The International Rescue Committee found that IPV was mainly driven by women’s separation from families, forced marriage and re-marriage, as well as poverty and male substance abuse (IRC 2015).
  • Survival sex: involves the trading of sex (especially by women and girls) for benefits used to pay rent or to obtain access to services. This is a harmful coping mechanism that may be adopted to secure limited livelihood opportunities (SGBV SWG 2015).
  • Domestic violence: is physical or psychological violence within the home. The trigger leading to domestic violence appears to often be stress on the part of the perpetrator (most often husbands, uncles or brothers), which is released on the victim (in relevant literature commonly referred to as “survivor”), most commonly women and children (SGBV SWG 2015).
  • Trafficking: is an act to trade or sell persons, most commonly for sexual slavery, forced labour, military recruitment or commercial sexual exploitation using coercion, threats or physical force. It involves procurement of financial or other material benefits for the person handing the trade, which may be done by any person no matter the setting or the relationship to the person (UNODC 2017).
  • Forced/early marriage or forced abortions: Forced or early marriage is marriage forced upon a person, most often a women or girl, by their families because they believe that community members will show more respect for married women and girls and that it will secure a better future and relieve financial burden on families who depend on humanitarian aid. Forced abortion is another form of sexual violence, were women are coerced into abortions (OHCHR 2014).
  • Harmful traditional practices: include practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or forced honour killings. FGM is most prevalent in the Middle East and on the African continent and is related to the nexus of very sensitive issues around patriarchy, gender roles, women’s reproduction and men’s perceptions of women’s sexualities (SIDA 2015). Honour killing is often associated with the Middle East and Northern Africa and, although this is commonly misunderstood, it occurs among Islamic, Christian, Muslim, Kind and other religious and non-religious groups (SIDA 2015).

During times of conflict and increased militarisation, community and household tensions may increase due to fear, trauma and increased vulnerability. This may, in turn, increase the risk of sexual violence, particularly against women (HOLMES AND BHUVANENDRA 2014).

Sexual violence during humanitarian crises can be random or systematically used as a “weapon of war” for ethnic cleansing and to degrade women and render men as “failed protectors” (SIDA 2015, HOLMES AND BHUVANENDRA 2014).

Family raising awareness on the issue of intimate partner violence. Source: IRC (2015).

Family raising awareness on the issue of intimate partner violence. Source: IRC (2015).

Laws and Policy Frameworks for the Prevention of GBV

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There are several international laws and legal mandates that address GBV in humanitarian crises situations (IASC 2015). These include:

  • The International Humanitarian Law provides conventions and protocols to protect men and women from discrimination.
  • The Internal Criminal Law recognises rape and sexual violence against women as war crimes, crimes against humanity and constitutive acts of genocide.
  • The 1993 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women reinforces the right to dignity as it relates to GBV through asserting the right of all people to life, security, health, non-discrimination, the right to equal protection, as well as just and favourable working conditions (IASC 2015). Refugee Laws to protect human rights (such as the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees) also set out rules and procedures, when the convention is properly interpreted, to protect refugees from gender-related violence (IASC 2015). The UN Security Council’s 2009 Resolution 1888 for refugees was adopted as an important action-oriented resolution addressing issues such as coordination, identification of women’s protection advisors, monitoring and reporting of sexual violence, retaining peacekeepers, national forces and participation of women in peace-building and post-conflict processes (GPC 2010).
  • The Sphere Handbook provides indicators and standards to prevent GBV by requiring 1) programming and designs that ensure increased security and dignity for all, 2) communal washing and bathing facilities that are safe and appropriate, and 3) sanitation facilities that are appropriately sited to safeguard women and girls from attacks (THE SPHERE PROJECT 2011).

There are also regional legal instruments related to GBV, which provide more detailed polices and higher standards that are applied if national law cannot do so. They identify regional courts that may be able to investigate acts of GBV. An example of one of these instruments is the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) on the Rights of the Child in Islam (IASC 2015). WASH policies, standards and guidelines as well as national and local policies, too, should incorporate mandates and programmes to prevent and respond GBV (IASC 2015).

Guiding Principles and Approaches for GBV Programming

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Humanitarian interventions are most effective when focused not only on addressing the immediate needs of those affected by the crises, but also on protecting the rights and long-term wellbeing of the most vulnerable (IASC 2015). Breaking the cycle of violence requires recognising and addressing the specific concerns that women, girls, men and boys may face at different times and in different locations (IASC 2015, UNHCR 2015). Through GBV programmes, humanitarian actors can plan for mechanisms for the survivors of GBV to confidentially report incidents, to receive non-discriminatory access to services and to seek judicial remedy if they wish (UNHC 2015). As men and boys can also be victims of GBV, programming should be inclusive and should also provide safe spaces for male GBV survivors and should include men and boy’s aspects into awareness raising (UNHCR 2012).

The guiding principles of GBV programming are safety, respect, confidentiality and non-discrimination. They should be considered in all stages of GBV programmes linked to the humanitarian aid organisations’ responsibility to provide protection and assistance to the affected (and their families). They are embodied through a human-right based, a survivor-centred and a community-based approach (GPC 2010, UNHCR 2015).

In order to effectively reduce risks and to provide support and services to survivors, GBV programmes should be established in the first phase of an emergency (POTTS AND ZUCO 2014). GBV programmes should be implemented across different sectors of humanitarian response and across the displaced and the host communities (IASC 2015). Two main models for GBV include the Multi-sectoral and Multi-Level Model and the Participatory and Community-Based Models. Further details of GBV program planning are available in Inter-Agency Standing Committee Guidelines Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action (IASC 2015).

The Humanitarian Practices Network presents ten principles related to the prevention and response to GBV specifically for WASH programming (see figure below).  

Key Principles for reducing vulnerability to violence links to WASH. Source: HOUSE ET AL (2014).

Key Principles for reducing vulnerability to violence links to WASH. Source: HOUSE ET AL (2014).  

Important cornerstone guidelines, toolkits and manuals relating to GBV can be found in the further readings’ section of this factsheet.

GBV Programming, Prevention and Response for WASH in Humanitarian Crises

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Humanitarian crises can significantly alter or affect a populations’ traditional WASH practices and can exacerbate the gender inequalities around WASH and the vulnerabilities of women to violence (HOUSE ET AL 2014). Water, particularly if scarce, can increase tensions, which in turn may increase the risk of IPV or conflicts at water points. Therefore, WASH programmes play an important role in preventing GBV and in keeping the affected people safe from violence (IASC 2015). In Urban Settings, girls and women regularly face harassment when on public transport, using sanitary facilities or when out at night (HOUSE ET AL 2014). They may prefer to use the toilets and bathing units at night, which can put them at even higher risk of violence.

If gender issues are not considered in humanitarian WASH interventions, this can put women and girls further at risk (EUROPEAN COMMISSION 2014).

Collaboration between GBV specialists, protection staff and WASH specialists on GBV aspects of humanitarian interventions, especially related to carrying out WASH assessment and training, is crucial. GBV incidents often remain unreported, as survivors may be ashamed or stigmatised, they may blame themselves, may not trust authorities, or may fear reprisals (UNHCR 2015). For this reason, collaboration and careful planning is also necessary for establishing reporting mechanisms for GBV incidents and setting up systems that ensure that survivors of GBV can receive safe confidential assistance (IASC 2015).

Recommended WASH Actions and Good Practices for Preventing and Responding to GBV

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Recommended good practices for preventing and responding to GBV include awareness raising initiatives aimed at changing attitudes and behaviour around GBV, improving access to GBV response services (e.g. health services, psychosocial care, and legal) as well as improving the legal and security environment for refugees, IDP and for host communities. Recommended actions and good practices include:

Training and Assessment Actions

  • Provide training and coaching to WASH personnel on gender issues and how to make use of women’s knowledge within the community. Often WASH professionals and staff that work with refugees and IDPs may find people confiding in them about sexual violence although they are not GBV-specialists. As such, they should be trained and aware of their responsibilities and actions they can take. In addition, it is critical they try to understand the power dynamics within the population and how this can contribute to GBV (HOUSE ET AL 2014). In addition, WASH professionals may have concerns about how to engage in discussion about GBV due to the sensitivity of the subject and over the community’s reaction (IASC 2015). Humanitarian personnel should be fully trained on the relation between gender and violence. This is crucial partially because women, girls and other at-risks groups may face exploitation at the hands of WASH staff in return for soap, sanitarian materials, water and other WASH supplies (IASC 2015; IOM, NRC AND UNHCR 2015).
  • Ensure women are equally consulted as men to assess their needs (UN WOMEN 2016).
  • Engage and educate people in positions of authority (employers, landlords and teachers) in the risks and consequences of GBV. Also, ensure that law practitioners and local authorities address needs of refugees and IDPs in terms of access to judicial and incident reporting mechanisms and services (UNHCR 2015).
  • Engage host communities and affected populations about water-resource usage. This is vital to preventing GBV given that - if there is insufficient water - women and girls may be punished for returning home empty-handed (IASC 2015). 

Participatory Planning and Infrastructure Siting and Design

  • Involve women and other at-risk groups addressing the appropriateness of WASH facilities in urban settings (IASC 2015.)
  • Conduct community consultation (GWC 2009) and ensure women and adolescent groups are actively involved in community-based WASH committees and management groups, while still being aware of potential tensions. Employ persons from at-risk groups in WASH staff, leaderships and training positions (50% women representation is a good goal) (IASC 2015). 
  • For Urban Settings, promote security for women and girls by establishing reception centres for asylum seekers and providing separate well-lit accommodation for women (IASC 2015). Risk of GBV can be high at markets, in workplaces, on the way to and from schools, while using public transport and at home. Measures to ensure safety for refugees and IDPs should address risks in these locations (UNHCR 2015). Ensuring access to services for the right people may be hindered by the fact it is often difficult to identify survivors or those at risk in this setting. GBV should be addressed in collaboration with local host communities and host governments as well as with humanitarian actors providing shelters and organising housing arrangements (UNHCR 2015).

Planning Hygiene Item Selection and Distribution

  • At times where water is rationed, work with affected refugees and IDPs to schedule time of water availability when it is safe for women and girls (see Selecting and Distributing Hygiene Items factsheet, IASC 2015).
  • Ensure distribution of hygiene items occurs in a manner so that people can reach home safely (OCHA 2012).
  • Facilitate distribution and sanitary supplies to women and girls of reproductive age and plan systems for washing and/or disposal of sanitary supplies that are consistent with the rights and expressed needs of women and girls (see Menstrual Hygiene Management and Selecting and Distributing Hygiene Items and [689-] factsheets, IASC 2015).

WASH and GBV Programme Components for Refugees and IPDs

  • Provide training for vocational skills and livelihood programmes as this can contribute to preventing GBV and empowering women (UNHCR 2015).
  • Raise awareness and assist with incorporating GBV programming and gender equality promotion into hygiene promotion activities among refugees or IDPs, particularly in schools. This intervention should strive for maximum involvement of women and should put emphasis on integrating GBV messages beyond basic messages throughout the programme (e.g. prevention, reporting and access to care (see Hygiene Promotion Campaigning in Urban Settings and Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) factsheets). Awareness raising on GBV is most effective when targeting not only women but at men as well. This can reduce acceptance of violence, improve empathy for survivors and increase knowledge of gender relations and women’s rights (BHUVANENDRA AND HOLMES 2014).

Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Proper assessment of GBV risks is essential in areas such as participation and leadership, cultural and community norms and infrastructure (IASC 2015, see page 306 of guidance document for further detail). One checklist to aid in risk assessment is the Global Wash’s Clusters List Gender Checklist (GWC 2009).
  • Support monitoring efforts of WASH sites and ensure that monitoring addresses safety, as well gender inequality and GBV. Add safety concerns into transect walks or when conducting audits or planning WASH projects (IASC 2015).

A summary of IASC recommended actions for WASH programming and their appropriate emergency stage (Pre-Emergency, Emergency, Stabilised Stage, Recovery to Development) is provided in this link.

Applicability

Factsheet Block Body

This factsheet provides a guidance for Urban Settings on the issues of Gender-Based Violence in humanitarian crises situations and measures to prevent and respond to it. The programming guidance and good practices are focused on practices for the WASH sector. The further reading resources provide general documents related to preventing GBV. For guidance related to rural or camp / prolonged encampment settings of humanitarian intervention, see the factsheets on Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based-Violence in Rural and Camp and Prolonged Encampment Settings.

Library References

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. Meeting the challenge of rapidly increasing humanitarian needs in WASH. DG ECHO Thematic Policy No.2

This thematic policy document provides information on meeting the challenges of rapidly increasing humanitarian needs. It provides information on basic principles of humanitarian response, emergency response and preparedness and response in acute, post-acute, protracted, and chronic crises, key determinants for interactions, guidance on coordination, advocacy, decision trees, and technical guidelines. It provides various insights on operations and maintenance planning for humanitarian crisis needs. The EC humanitarian WASH assistance follows the following objectives: 1) To ensure timely and dignified access to sufficient and safe WASH services for populations threatened by on-going, imminent or future humanitarian crises, and to increase their resilience to withstand water stress and shocks. 2) To implement measures to prevent the spread of WASH related diseases in populations threatened by on-going, imminent or future humanitarian crises. 3) To enhance the impact, relevance, efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of WASH assistance by strengthening the capacities of the humanitarian aid system, including its coordination mechanism.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION (2014): Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. Meeting the challenge of rapidly increasing humanitarian needs in WASH. DG ECHO Thematic Policy No.2. Brussels: European Commission URL [Accessed: 31.10.2016]

Handbook for Coordinating Gender-Based Interventions in Humanitarian Settings

This is a quick reference tool to provide practical guidance on key responsibilities and leadership roles when establishing and maintaining GBV coordination in an emergency. It is based on the IASC guidelines and provides additional lessons learnt, good practices, and emerging resources. The guidebook targets all those individuals and agencies involved in coordinating GBV activities from the community level to the national and internal levels.

GPC (2010): Handbook for Coordinating Gender-Based Interventions in Humanitarian Settings. Geneva: Global Protection Cluster URL [Accessed: 03.01.2017]

Introduction to Hygiene Promotion: Tools and Approaches

This is a manual with training material and handouts for facilitators to prepare training for hygiene promotion at different levels. The manual provides hygiene promotion training materials including tools and approaches for training including human resources planning, recruitment, and management, WASH generic job description for hygiene Promotion staff and volunteers, and a list of essential hygiene promotion equipment for communication.

GWC (2009): Introduction to Hygiene Promotion: Tools and Approaches. Geneva: Global WASH Cluster URL [Accessed: 08.11.2016]

Violence, Gender and WASH: A practitioner’s toolkit – Making water, sanitation and hygiene safer through improved programming and services

HOUSE, S. ; CAVILL, S. ; FERRON, S. ; SOMMER, M. (2014): Violence, Gender and WASH: A practitioner’s toolkit – Making water, sanitation and hygiene safer through improved programming and services. Special Feature, Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies. In: Humanitarian Exchange: Volume 60 , 27-30. URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action: Reducing risk, promoting resilience and aiding recovery

This comprehensive 366-page document provides humanitarian organisations, coordinators, country teams, clusters, and donors with guidance on programming to prevent GBV and support for survivors through providing clear steps humanitarian agencies. The document introduces the topic of GBV, obligations to address it in humanitarian work and the responsibility of key actors. It provides thematic area guidance for sectors including water, sanitation, and hygiene.

IASC (2015): Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action: Reducing risk, promoting resilience and aiding recovery. Geneva: Inter-Agency Standing Committee URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Camp Management Toolkit

International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)`s Camp Management Toolkit provide tools and approaches to provide concrete guidance on facilitating hygiene improvement in an acute, early stage of an emergency relevant to camps. This toolkit is applicable to both IDPs and refugees living in communal settings.

IOM NHCR UNHCR (2015): Camp Management Toolkit. Genva: International Organization For Migration URL [Accessed: 25.08.2016]

Private Violence, Public Concern. Intimate partner Violence in Humanitarian Settings Practice Brief

In Iraq, the IRC stepped outside of its general roles to support families in solving created tensions at home. While some men adapted to the shifting dynamics, others exerted violence to reassert their power and control over their partner, through acts like beating. Beating is sometimes used to “correct” or “teach” women to respect men. In other cases, husbands deprived women of money they earned and then spent it, oftentimes not in the best interested of the household. Women often do not want to report problems because it leads to shame.

IRC (2015): Private Violence, Public Concern. Intimate partner Violence in Humanitarian Settings Practice Brief. New York: International Rescue Committee: 02.01.2017 URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

OCHA Gender Toolkit

OCHA (2012): OCHA Gender Toolkit. Toolkit to help OCHA address gender equality. Geneva: United Nations Organisation for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

If GBV programming is essential in emergencies, how do we do it? Developing a model to operationalise existing guidance

POTTS, A. ; ZUCO, V. (2014): If GBV programming is essential in emergencies, how do we do it? Developing a model to operationalise existing guidance . Special Feature, Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies. In: Humanitarian Exchange: Volume 60 , 10-12. URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

The Sphere Handbook

This appendix of SPHERE handbook is a water supply and sanitation initial needs assessment checklist. This list of questions is primarily for use to assess needs, identify indigenous resources and describe local conditions. It does not include questions to determine external resources needed in addition to those immediately and locally available.

THE SPHERE PROJECT (2011): The Sphere Handbook. Rugby: Practical Action Publishing URL [Accessed: 19.10.2016]

Working with Men and Boy Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Forced Displacement

This guidance looks at the issues of men and boys as survivors of GBV during forced displacement. After giving an overview of the situation for men and boys, it provides key messages for staff, partners, survivors, and affected communities, as well as considerations and actions for inclusive GBV programming. This publication also contains additional resources.

UNHCR (2012): Working with Men and Boy Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Forced Displacement. Geneva: United Nations High Commission for Refugees URL [Accessed: 03.01.2017]

Emergency Response

UN Women established a Women and Girls Oasis Centre at the Za’atari Camp in Jordan for Syrian Refugees to provide protection and gender-based violence services (e.g. psychosocial support, education, and recreation activities). They also provide training in trade and cash for work programmes to support women economic independence. In Palestine, UN Women support women’s organisations through workshops and dialogues to support humanitarian coordination and planning.

UN WOMEN (2016): Emergency Response. Humanitarian Action. New York: UN Women URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]
Further Readings

Handbook for Coordinating Gender-Based Interventions in Humanitarian Settings

This is a quick reference tool to provide practical guidance on key responsibilities and leadership roles when establishing and maintaining GBV coordination in an emergency. It is based on the IASC guidelines and provides additional lessons learnt, good practices, and emerging resources. The guidebook targets all those individuals and agencies involved in coordinating GBV activities from the community level to the national and internal levels.

GPC (2010): Handbook for Coordinating Gender-Based Interventions in Humanitarian Settings. Geneva: Global Protection Cluster URL [Accessed: 03.01.2017]

Special Feature, Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies

This special issue featured on the Human Practices Network journal focuses on gender-based violence (GBV) in humanitarian crises settings. The issue presents findings of a literature review of recent publications on GBV in humanitarian contexts. It also presents an evaluation discussing conflicting perspectives on the GBV issue. An additional analysis discusses the International Rescue Committees (IRC's) experience operationalising GBV. Yet another feature looks at programming choices agencies can make to help prevent and reduce GBV and ways of using service-based data in programming. There are also various examples of campaigns and efforts to address GBV in West Africa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Darfur, and by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), by the World Food Programme, as well as by Plan International.

HPN (2014): Special Feature, Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies. February 2014. In: Humanitarian Exchange: Volume 60 URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action: Reducing risk, promoting resilience and aiding recovery

This comprehensive 366-page document provides humanitarian organisations, coordinators, country teams, clusters, and donors with guidance on programming to prevent GBV and support for survivors through providing clear steps humanitarian agencies. The document introduces the topic of GBV, obligations to address it in humanitarian work and the responsibility of key actors. It provides thematic area guidance for sectors including water, sanitation, and hygiene.

IASC (2015): Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action: Reducing risk, promoting resilience and aiding recovery. Geneva: Inter-Agency Standing Committee URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Inter-Agency Emergency Standard Operating Procedures for Prevention of and Response to Gender-Based Violence and Child Protection in Jordan

The IASC standard operating procedures (SOPs) describe principles, procedures, roles, and responsibilities for providing GBV and child protection for everyone in Jordan who are affected by the Syrian crisis. The SOPs focus on the Syrian refugees but also include information for host populations. The document details minimum procedures for child protection and indicates which organisations or institutions are responsible for the actions in the four main response sectors of heath, psychological, law/justice, and security.

IASC (2013): Inter-Agency Emergency Standard Operating Procedures for Prevention of and Response to Gender-Based Violence and Child Protection in Jordan. Geneva: Intern-Agency Standing Committee URL [Accessed: 02.01.2016]

Women, Girls, Boys and Men

A handbook for real and practical programming guidance on identifying and addressing the differing needs and situations of women, girls, boys and men in humanitarian crises. The IASC 2015 guidance document is a revision of this handbook.

IASC (2006): Women, Girls, Boys and Men. Different Needs – Equal Opportunities. (= Gender Handbook in Humanitarian Action ). Geneva: Intern-Agency Standing Committee URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Privat Violence, Public Concern. Intimate partner violence in humanitarian settings practice brief

This practise brief discusses the drivers and nature of intimate partner violence (IPV), how displaced women experience partner violence, and women’s suggestions for presenting IPV. It presents the results based on the International Rescue Committees 2014 study in the Domiz camp in Iraq, the Dadaab camp in Kenya, and the Ajuong Thok settlement in South Sudan. It also draws on the IRC research on IPV in Africa and Syria.

IRC (2015): Privat Violence, Public Concern. Intimate partner violence in humanitarian settings practice brief. New York: International Rescue Committee URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Current State of GBV Response Capacity in Humanitarian Settings. A Synthesis of information, resources, and opportunities

The desk review of existing documents related to Gender-Based Violence Response Capacity in Humanitarian Settings gathers information on the current state of available learning opportunities and actors that support capacity development in GBV response and prevention.

MARTIN, S. (2015): Current State of GBV Response Capacity in Humanitarian Settings. A Synthesis of information, resources, and opportunities. Gender-based Violence Area of Responsibility. (= Learning Task Team ). New York: Global Protection Cluster URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Ideas That Work: Preventing violence against women through water and sanitation interventions in early emergency response

Ideas that Work demonstrates how water, sanitation and hygiene needs of women survivors of disasters can be addressed as to reduce to the risk of violence. It provides practical experience related to the provision of WASH in early emergency phases. The document addresses engineering considerations and social renegotiation.

OXFAM (2010): Ideas That Work: Preventing violence against women through water and sanitation interventions in early emergency response. Oxford: Oxfam URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Minimum Standards for Prevention and Response to Gender/Based Violence in Emergencies

This document sets out the United Nations Population Fund standards for preventing and responding to GBV, comprising of 18 inter/connected standards on best practice. The standards are tailored to meet the objective of scaling up the humanitarian response and enhancing effort to prevent and respond to GBV. The standards address coordinating GBV services and ways to support local authorities and partners.

UNFPA (2015): Minimum Standards for Prevention and Response to Gender/Based Violence in Emergencies. New York: United Nations Population Fund URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Working with Men and Boy Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Forced Displacement

This guidance looks at the issues of men and boys as survivors of GBV during forced displacement. After giving an overview of the situation for men and boys, it provides key messages for staff, partners, survivors, and affected communities, as well as considerations and actions for inclusive GBV programming. This publication also contains additional resources.

UNHCR (2012): Working with Men and Boy Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Forced Displacement. Geneva: United Nations High Commission for Refugees URL [Accessed: 03.01.2017]

Action Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

This UNHCR strategy documents provides a structure for the UNHCR to deal with GBV using a multi-sectoral and interagency approach. It provides instructions for the UNHCR to build GBV strategies at the country level that reflect the needs of difference at risk groups and how to adapt to either stable or emergency contexts in camp, urban, or rural settings. The document details guidance on building a strategy, and six areas of actions, namely 1. protecting children, 2. addressing sexual violence as a coping mechanism for displacement, 3. engaging men and boys, 4. providing safe environment and safe access to energy and natural resources, 5. protecting LGBTI persons, and 6. Protection of persons of concern with disabilities.

UNHCR (2011): Action Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. An Updated Strategy. Geneva: United Nations High Commission for Refugees URL [Accessed: 04.01.2017]

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence against Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Guidelines for Prevention and Response

Practical advice of designing strategies and carry out activities aimed at prevent and responding to sexual and GBV. The guidance document contains information on health, legal, security, and human rights dimension for the strategies and activities.

UNHCR (2003): Sexual and Gender-Based Violence against Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Guidelines for Prevention and Response. Geneva: United Nations High Commission for Refugees URL [Accessed: 03.01.2017]
Case Studies

Urban WASH in Emergencies

In 2014, REDR conducted a pilot course for WASH in emergencies and addressed gender issues. The key lessons, key messages, and experiences were compiled. Facilitators and participants found that in urban settings it was particularly hard to separate WASH from any other sector and issues around gender were very interconnected with land tenancy issues, environmental factors, livelihoods, individual vulnerabilities, ethnic factors and economic inequality. They also found that there were large cross-cutting areas for gender issues when considering WASH aspects, such as social and institutional aspects of hygiene promotion, water, sanitation, drainage and vector control, amongst other sectors.

BRYANT, J. CAMPBELL, L. (2014): Urban WASH in Emergencies. London: ALNAP URL [Accessed: 08.12.2016]

Private Violence, Public Concern. Intimate partner Violence in Humanitarian Settings Practice Brief

In Iraq, the IRC stepped outside of its general roles to support families in solving created tensions at home. While some men adapted to the shifting dynamics, others exerted violence to reassert their power and control over their partner, through acts like beating. Beating is sometimes used to “correct” or “teach” women to respect men. In other cases, husbands deprived women of money they earned and then spent it, oftentimes not in the best interested of the household. Women often do not want to report problems because it leads to shame.

IRC (2015): Private Violence, Public Concern. Intimate partner Violence in Humanitarian Settings Practice Brief. New York: International Rescue Committee: 02.01.2017 URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]
Training Material

Core Competencies for GBV Programme Managers and Coordinators in Humanitarian Settings

A paper with a set of core competences (skills, knowledge, and abilities) required for effective response and prevention for inter-agency coordination in humanitarian response context.

GPC (2014): Core Competencies for GBV Programme Managers and Coordinators in Humanitarian Settings. Gender-based Violence Area of Responsibility (GBV AoR) Working Group. Geneva: Global Protection Cluster, Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Introduction to Hygiene Promotion: Tools and Approaches

This is a manual with training material and handouts for facilitators to prepare training for hygiene promotion at different levels. The manual provides hygiene promotion training materials including tools and approaches for training including human resources planning, recruitment, and management, WASH generic job description for hygiene Promotion staff and volunteers, and a list of essential hygiene promotion equipment for communication.

GWC (2009): Introduction to Hygiene Promotion: Tools and Approaches. Geneva: Global WASH Cluster URL [Accessed: 08.11.2016]

E-learning: Different Needs - Equal Opportunities: Increasing Effectiveness of Humanitarian Action for Women, Girls, Boys and Men

A self-directed eLearning course that provides steps for a humanitarian worker to ensure gender equality exists in programming. The course focuses on core issues of gender and how it relates to different aspects of humanitarian response, including water and sanitation.

IASC (2016): E-learning: Different Needs - Equal Opportunities: Increasing Effectiveness of Humanitarian Action for Women, Girls, Boys and Men. Geneva: Inter-Agency Standing Committee URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

GBV Emergency Response and Preparedness

The Internal Rescue Committee’s GBV Emergency Response and Participant Handbook is a training curriculum resource on practical steps for planning by 1) establishes a common understanding of GBV, 2) builds on a foundation of understanding emergency context and how this impacts the needs of women and hires on the ground, 3) examines assessments in emergency content and how to ensure the intervention response to women and girls in emergencies, 4) introduces program models, and 5) and provides guidance on advocacy and handling media relations in emergencies, and 6) how to transition emergency interventions to more comprehensive GBV programs.

IRC (2011): GBV Emergency Response and Preparedness. Participants Handbook. New York: International Rescue Committee URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Violence, Gender and WASH: A practitioner’s toolkit – Making water, sanitation and hygiene safer through improved programming and services

This toolkit from the Government of the United Kingdom has been developed for WASH practitioners primarily but also for Gender, Violence, Protection, Health, and Education specialists. It is relevant to the humanitarian as well as the development context and provides good practice approaches to reduce vulnerabilities to violence. The toolkit documents are four briefing notes with case studies, checklist, videos, and training scenarios.

WEDC (2014): Violence, Gender and WASH: A practitioner’s toolkit – Making water, sanitation and hygiene safer through improved programming and services. Loughborough: Loughborough University URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]
Awareness Raising Material

Women, Girls, Boys and Men

A handbook for real and practical programming guidance on identifying and addressing the differing needs and situations of women, girls, boys and men in humanitarian crises. The IASC 2015 guidance document is a revision of this handbook.

IASC (2006): Women, Girls, Boys and Men. Different Needs – Equal Opportunities. (= Gender Handbook in Humanitarian Action ). Geneva: Intern-Agency Standing Committee URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

A Manual for Empowering young people in preventing gender-based violence through peer education

A manual coordinated by the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies on preventing gender-based violence among adolescents. The manual was created for a programme aimed awareness-raising, training and peer education. Though not focused on emergency and conflict context, the information is valuable to shed light on the gender-based violence among adolescents and the material is useable for raising awareness to their specific challenge and dynamics.

PANA, A. STA, S. (2012): A Manual for Empowering young people in preventing gender-based violence through peer education. Cyprus: Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies URL [Accessed: 02.01.2017]

Alternative Versions to