Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility

16/04/2025

🚨 Sudan: A Grave Escalation of Violence Against Civilians in Darfur

We are appalled and gravely alarmed by reports of coordinated ground and air attacks on and Abu Shouk displacement camps and El Fasher town in North . These attacks, reportedly carried out by RSF-affiliated forces, have resulted in catastrophic consequences for civilians.

Over 100 people, including at least 20 children, are feared dead. Nine humanitarian workers were killed while operating one of the few remaining health clinics in Zamzam.

This is not an isolated tragedy. It is the latest escalation in a pattern of attacks on displaced communities and humanitarian workers — and a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

As the UK, France, and Germany hosted a high-level conference on Sudan in London yesterday (15 April), we urge governments and international leaders:
🔹 Demand an immediate ceasefire and cessation of hostilities
🔹 Guarantee safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians
🔹 Support accountability of all parties violating international humanitarian law
🔹 Put the protection of people at the centre of every political and diplomatic engagement

Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps are home to over 700,000 internally displaced people, now trapped under siege. They have nowhere safe to go. Those trying to flee must be guaranteed safe passage.

🛑 We urge leaders not to meet atrocity with silence. Sudan needs more than words — it needs action.

10/03/2025

International Women’s Day 2025: No Cause for Celebration for Women Living Through Armed Conflict and Oppression

International Women’s Day is often marked by celebrations—panels highlighting women’s achievements, campaigns showcasing progress, and corporate statements pledging support for gender equality. But for millions of women around the world, this is not a day of celebration. For women living under armed conflict, occupation, and authoritarian rule, their hard-won rights are not advancing; they are being stripped away. Their voices are not being amplified; they are being silenced.

In Palestine, Sudan, as well as other countries in the Arab States region, women are enduring unimaginable suffering, their lives shattered by conflict. Millions have been forced to flee their homes; many are left without the basics to survive: food, water, shelter, and health care. Hundreds of thousands are subjected to gender-based violence, as women’s bodies become collateral damage of wars.

These women do not need symbolic gestures or empty promises. They need action.

Read Arab States Regional GBViE WG Statement here:
https://gbvaor.net/node/2030

14/02/2025

Spanish below
More than 40 experts, inter-agency coordinators, and gender-based violence (GBV) focal points from the Latin America and Caribbean region gathered for the first joint session of the REDLAC Regional GBV Subsector and the R4V Regional GBV Subsector to address the needs, risks, and challenges related to gender-based violence in emergency contexts in the region.

By 2025, more than 9 million internally displaced persons and host communities will be at risk of GBV in the six prioritized countries mostly affected by emergencies due to natural disasters, conflict, and violence. Additionally, more than 2 million migrants and refugees will be exposed to GBV along migration routes, particularly sexual violence perpetrated by transnational organized crime and trafficking for sexual exploitation.

During the meeting, the GBV Subcluster Coordinators from Haiti and Colombia shared an update on the critical situation in these countries, the worsening violence, and the increasing risks and cases of GBV among the affected population.

In addition, an analysis of the current challenges surrounding the decrease and shortage of specialized services for GBV survivors was conducted, as well as a review of the major achievements of 2024 and the most urgent and achievable priorities for 2025.

The REDLAC GBV Subsector is led in the region by the GBV AoR Regional Team (REGA LACRO). The R4V GBV Subsector is led by UNFPA LACRO and co-led by Save the Children and UNHCR. Both spaces actively engage multiple NGOs and UN agencies committed to risk mitigation, prevention and response to GBV.

Spanish version

Más de 40 expertas, coordinadoras interagenciales y puntos focales de violencia basada en género de la región de América Latina y el Caribe se reunieron en la primera sesión conjunta del Subgrupo Regional de VBG de REDLAC y el Subsector Regional de VBG de R4V para abordar las necesidades, riesgos y desafíos en materia de Violencia Basada en Género en contextos de emergencia en la región.

Para 2025, más de 9 millones de personas desplazadas internamente y comunidades de acogida están en riesgo de sufrir VBG en los seis países de la región priorizados por emergencias por desastres de origen natural, conflicto y violencia. A su vez, más de 2 millones de personas migrantes y refugiadas están expuestas a sufrir VBG durante la ruta migratoria, especialmente violencia sexual por el crimen organizado transnacional y la trata con fines de explotación sexual.

Durante la reunión, las Coordinadoras de los Subclusters de VBG de Haití y Colombia, compartieron una actualización de la critica situación en los países, el recrudecimiento de la violencia, y el aumento de riesgos y casos de VBG en la población afectada.

Además, realizamos un análisis de los desafíos actuales en torno a la disminución y escasez de servicios especializados para sobrevivientes de VBG, así como un repaso por los mayores logros del 2024, y las prioridades más urgentes para 2025.

El Subsector de VBG de REDLAC es liderado en la región por el equipo regional del GBV AoR (REGA LACRO). El Subsector de VBG del R4V es liderado por UNFPA LACRO y co-liderado por Save the Children y ACNUR. Ambos espacios cuentan con la activa participación de múltiples ONGs y agencias de Naciones Unidas comprometidas con la mitigación de riesgos, la prevención y la respuesta a la VBG.

10/12/2024

On the final day of , we would like to share the story of NADA, a women-led organisation in Sudan. Discover their journey and history of advocating for a more equal country for women and girls💜✊🏾
🔗http://nadaelazhar.org

10/12/2024

On the last day of , we invite you to hear the inspiring stories of multiple adolescent girls who are human rights defenders in the East and Southern Africa Region. Hear their voices and amplify them ✊🏾💜
🔗https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy8YaqkQdNhfp4UFhh7lyceW4zmMrm8Ec

09/12/2024

Gender-based violence affects women and girls everywhere in the world. Technological developments have both facilitated and been used to prevent and respond to acts of GBV, with the role of technology dramatically altering the landscape for humanitarian actors working to address GBV in situations of conflict and crisis. The GBV AoR Helpdesk has published several resources highlighting this issue, including the Learning Series on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence, and a Guidance Note on Harnessing Technology to Prevent, Mitigate, and Respond to GBViE.

🤖Artificial Intelligence represents the next chapter in technology and so the GBV AoR Helpdesk has published a learning brief providing an initial introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its links to Gender-Based Violence. It begins with an overview of key terms associated with AI relevant to GBV actors and summarizes current learning around how AI can exacerbate GBV in humanitarian settings. It then considers the ways in which AI may be used to address GBV, as well as the risks associated with the use of AI in GBV prevention and response. It concludes with several key takeaways for humanitarian actors working in and around GBV and AI and notes key areas for further learning and research.

🔗Learn more for yourself by accessing the full resource here: https://gbvaor.net/node/1903

For specialized technical support on GBV response, coordination, and programming, reach out to the GBV AoR Helpdesk at [email protected]. No question is too big or too small to ask, our services are free of charge.

Tools and Resources Gender-Based Violence and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Opportunities and Risks for Women and Girls in Humanitarian Settings - GBV AoR Helpdesk 2023 Gender-Based Violence and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Opportunities and Risks for Women and Girls in Humanitarian Settings - GBV....

09/12/2024

✨ Voices of Power, Forces for Change: Women leading the fight against GBV✨Meet NADA, a Women Led-Organization in Sudan. Listen to Shaza discussing the importance of advocating for the needs of women and girls in humanitarian settings.

📽️

06/12/2024

How development actors can support safe and effective response to Gender-Based Violence when emergencies occur

GBV remains a significant challenge globally, impacting the health, well-being, and opportunities of women and girls, particularly in emergencies. When working on GBV, many of the interventions to mitigate it and support survivors, families, and communities are the same in development and conflict settings. Nevertheless, there are crucial actions that development actors can undertake, even from the preparedness stage of an emergency, to support more effective GBV prevention and response after the emergency strikes.

Guidance from the GBV AoR Helpdesk delves into the nexus approach for tackling GBV, essential for development actors navigating humanitarian emergencies. It highlights the shared interventions between development and conflict settings, emphasizing the need for a unified strategy.

Key points covered:
🔍 Understanding GBV risks in crises
🤝 Embracing the nexus approach
🌱 Integrating GBV prevention into emergency preparedness
📚 Recommendations for effective integration into development planning, policies, and programming

Check out the full briefing note here: https://www.gbvaor.net/node/1960

For specialized technical support on GBV response, coordination, and programming, reach out to the GBV AoR Helpdesk at [email protected]. No question is too big or too small to ask, our services are free of charge.

Tools and Resources How Development Actors Can Support Safe and Effective Response to GBV When Emergencies Occur - GBV AoR Helpdesk 2024 How Development Actors Can Support Safe and Effective Response to GBV When Emergencies Occur - GBV AoR Helpdesk 2024 Apr 22, 2024 | This briefing note is targeted....

06/12/2024

Child protection actors continue to play a central role in enhancing the safety+well-being of children by integrating risk mitigation into their programming. Would you be interested in learning more about how you can take part? Click here👉https://bit.ly/3r7t8K5
Global Child Protection Area of Responsibility

05/12/2024

Este año, GBV AoR se centra en la historia de las campañas de los 16 Días de Activismo en diferentes contextos bajo el tema: “Tracing the Origins: Standing Against GBV” 🗞💜

A través de este tema, escuchamos a los miembros del GBV AoR, especialmente a las Organizaciones Lideradas por Mujeres, sobre sus primeros recuerdos de esta campaña en su contexto y para su organización, y cómo han aprovechado esta campaña a lo largo de los años para crear conciencia sobre la VBG, impulsar esfuerzos de incidencia y mejorar los servicios para las sobrevivientes de VBG.

📖 Descubre la historia de los 16 Días desde Tinta Violeta, una Organización Feminista de Venezuela ✊💚

🔗Explora su página web y conoce más sobre su trabajo: https://entintavioleta.com.ve/

¡Mantente al tanto de más historias inspiradoras de incidencia y activismo de Organizaciones Lideradas por Mujeres que están marcando la diferencia!

____________________

This year, GBV AoR is focusing on the history of 16 Days of Activism campaigns in different contexts under the theme: “Tracing the Origins: Standing Against GBV” 🗞💜

Through this theme, we heard from members of the GBV AoR, especially Women-Led Organisations, about their earliest memories of this campaign in their context and for their organisation and how their organisation has been leveraging this campaign over the years to raise awareness about GBV and drive advocacy efforts and enhance services for GBV survivors.

📖 Discover the story of 16 Days from Tinta Violeta, a Feminist Organisation from Venezuela✊💚

🔗Explore their webpage, and learn more about their work https://entintavioleta.com.ve/

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories of advocacy and activism from Women-Led Organizations making a difference!

05/12/2024

📢 GBV Risk Mitigation: An Essential Approach to Meeting Core Humanitarian Priorities

As we continue sharing resources over the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, take a look at this briefing note published by the GBV AoR Helpdesk on GBV Risk Mitigation

🤝 Written primarily for non-GBV specialists - those who work in sectors of humanitarian response other than GBV - this briefing note begins with a review of what GBV risk mitigation entails and how GBV risk mitigation supports good humanitarian programming.
🗺 The briefing note then looks at two thematic priorities within humanitarian response - accountability to affected populations (AAP) and localization - and explores how undertaking GBV risk mitigation can support these agendas.
🔀 It goes on to discuss some of the potential limitations for sector actors of streamlining or merging GBV risk mitigation into these broader thematic areas.
✅ The note concludes with a few key takeaways about how to promote success in GBV risk mitigation across all sectors of humanitarian response and ensure the best outcomes for sector programming.

📄Take a look at the full publication here, and let us know what you think: https://gbvaor.net/node/1950

For specialized technical support on GBV response, coordination, and programming, reach out to the GBV AoR Helpdesk at [email protected]. No question is too big or too small to ask, our services are free of charge.

Tools and Resources GBV Risk Mitigation - An Essential Approach to Meeting Core Humanitarian Priorities - GBV AoR Helpdesk 2024 GBV Risk Mitigation - An Essential Approach to Meeting Core Humanitarian Priorities - GBV AoR Helpdesk 2024 Apr 09, 2024 | Written primarily for non-GBV specialists—those...

05/12/2024

✨ Voices of Power, Forces for Change ✨
Meet the women leading the fight against GBV with the Yemen Women´s Union, a Women Led Organization which is the GBV co-coordinator in Yemen.
🎥 Hear their story and discover their inspiring work:
https://youtu.be/ZJIsl0Nkmz4?si=a1b3wPNvfQ4krtzu
👉 Follow us and explore the GBV AoR Regional Team in the Arab States YouTube channel to hear more stories of resilience and empowerment! 🌍