Violence against Women (VAW)
Justice for Women: Seeking Accountability for Sexual Crimes in Post-Conflict Situations
FRIDE, July 2008
The systematic use of extreme violence, in particular sexual violence, in conflict and post-conflict situations raises the pressing question of how to end the cycle of impunity. Although the priority is for national justice systems to bring the perpetrators of massive human rights abuses in their territories to account, it has been amply demonstrated that this is not always a practical answer.
Exchange on HIV/AIDS, Sexuality and Gender - Issue 3-2008: Gender Violence, HIV and AIDS
KIT, 2008
This issue of Exchange on HIV/AIDS, Sexuality and Gender addresses the link between HIV and AIDS and violence against women. Violence, which is experienced by many women in their lives, increases their vulnerability to HIV in many ways. Rape can contribute to HIV transmission due to tears and lacerations resulting from the use of force whereas violence can prevent women from negotiating safer sex and accessing treatment. On the other hand, fear of violence prevents women from learning and/or disclosing their status especially if they are HIV-positive.
Fuelling exclusion? The biofuels boom and poor people's access to land
FAO/IIED, May 2008
What are the impacts of the increasing spread of biofuels on access to land in producer countries, particularly for poorer rural people? Biofuels could revitalise rural agriculture and livelihoods – or, where there are competing claims on land – exclude poorer land and resource users. This study documents current knowledge on current and potential impacts of commercial biofuel production for access to land in Africa, Latin America and Asia, charting both negative experiences and promising approaches.
From Invisible to Indivisible: Promoting and Protecting the Right of the Girl Child to Be Free from Violence
UNICEF, April 2008
The UN Study on Violence against Children explores a range of factors that make children more vulnerable to violence and suggests strategies for ending violence against children. As part of this analysis the study recognises that virtually all forms of violence are linked to entrenched gender roles and inequalities, and that the violation of the rights of children is closely linked to the status of women. Violence against children has incalculable costs to present and future generations, and it undermines human development.
Exchange on HIV/AIDS, Sexuality and Gender - Issue 1-2008: Harmful traditional practices
KIT, 2008
This issue pays particular attention to the links between harmful traditional practices and HIV. It contains articles on female genital mutilation, early marriage in Ethiopia and widow inheritance in Uganda. Other articles: Defending the sexual and reproductive health rights of women affected by HIV in Argentina; Addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people in the informal sector in Mali; Between tradition and modernity: Controversy in India about the sex education programme in state-run schools.
Hidden in the Mealie Meal: Gender-Based Abuses and Women's HIV Treatment in Zambia
Human Rights Watch, December 2007
Zambia is one of many countries setting ambitious targets for rapidly scaling up antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS and is making impressive progress. It is addressing a range of obstacles to treatment and receiving substantial donor support to overcome them. However, women’s unequal status in Zambian society gravely undermines their ability to access and adhere to antiretroviral treatment (ART), and the government is paying little if any attention to the gender dimension of treatment, especially the impact of entrenched discrimination and gender-based violence and abuse.
Doubly Traumatised: The lack of access to justice by women victims of sexual and gender-based violence in northern Uganda
Amnesty International, November 2007
The Uganda government is failing in its international and domestic legal obligations relating to the protection of women and girls, and their right to access justice in northern Uganda. Amnesty International is strongly concerned that despite the cessation of hostilities in the conflict in northern Uganda, the incidence of violence against women and girls remains high. The organisation is further concerned that because of many insurmountable challenges and practices in the legal system, there is a culture of entrenched impunity for violence against women.
Gender-Based Violence
Oxfam UK, September 2007
This book brings together some of the most interesting and innovative work being done to tackle gender-based violence in various sectors, world regions, and socio-political contexts. Articles cover a wide range of manifestations of gender-based violence, including femicide, or the murder of women because they are women, domestic and sexual violence, female genital mutilation or cutting, the sexual exploitation of girls at school, and trafficking for prostitution. The case studies are drawn from South and East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central America, and a detailed list of resources completes the volume. This collection of articles will be useful to development and humanitarian practitioners, policy makers, and academics, including both gender specialists and non-gender specialists alike.
Côte d'Ivoire: Women and girls forgotten victims of conflict
AI, March 2007
In this report, Amnesty International (AI) reveals the horrifying extent of sexual violence against women and girls taking place in the context of the current conflict in Cote d'Ivoire, saying that the scale and brutal nature of the attacks are vastly underestimated. AI said that many women and girls are the victims of gang rape or are abducted and forced into sexual slavery by fighters. Rape is often accompanied by beatings and torture – often committed in public and in front of family members. Some women have even been raped next to the corpses of family members.
The Shame of War: Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in Conflict
OCHA/IRIN, March 2007
This 137-page reference book and photo essay of portraits and testimonies of the sexual violence women suffer when men go to war has been launched by IRIN. It examines the scope and nature of this violence and looks at the different ways the international community is addressing sexual violence against women and girls during and after conflict. This is IRIN's second publication on gender-based violence.
Let's End Violence against Women (Video)
Leo Burnett, UNIFEM, 2007
With a striking series of images, this public service announcement reveals that violence against women is one of the most common forms of violence in the world.
Ending Violence Against Women. Programming for Prevention, Protection and Care
UNFPA, 2007
This handbook, intended primarily for development practitioners, provides practical points to consider when designing and implementing projects addressing violence against women. It is a collection of good practices drawn from ten case studies described in a complementary volume "Programming to Address Violence Against Women". The approaches are based on an appreciation of culture and the role it plays in this issue.
Sexual violence: weapon of war, impediment to peace
Forced Migration Review (FMR) 27, Refugee Studies Centre & UNFPA, January 2007
FMR 27 explores the challenges and opportunities for combating sexual violence in conflict, post-conflict and development recovery contexts. Produced in partnership with UNFPA, it builds on momentum generated by the June 2006 International Symposium on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Beyond jointly convened by UNFPA, the EC and the Government of Belgium. Practice-oriented submissions from 40 specialists from a wide range of humanitarian agencies highlight key issues and challenges, best practices, innovative programmes and recommendations.
What happened to the women? Gender and reparations for human rights violations
SSRC, December 2006
This online book chronicles human rights violations against women in the context of violent conflict, with a focus on what these crimes mean to the women themselves and what happens in their aftermath. A key subject covered in the book is that of reparations to women who have suffered, and a consideration of how these procedures can take into account the particular nature of violations suffered by women, while contributing to increasing women's status as equal citizens.
Abandoning Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: An In-Depth Look at Promising Practices
PRB, December 2006
This publication presents an in-depth look at three promising interventions identified through collaboration by five organizations: the Population Reference Bureau (PBR), Family Health International, PATH, Population Council, and The Manoff Group. Its objective is to meet the primary information need identified by hundreds of organisations and individuals working toward the abandonment of FGM/C: information on case studies that illustrate what is working and why.
In-depth study on all forms of violence against women. Report of the UN Secretary-General
UNDAW, October 2006
In-depth study on all forms of violence against women, providing: statistical overview on all forms of VAW; causes of VAW; medium and long-term consequences of VAW; health, social and economic costs of VAW; best practice examples for combating and eliminating VAW. The study also proposes action-oriented recommendations, including on effective remedies and prevention and rehabilitation measures.
Zero tolerance: stop the violence against women and children, stop HIV/AIDS
Global AIDS Alliance, August 2006
This document describes a framework for a comprehensive response to violence against women and children, including the resources that would be needed, political and financial, for full implementation. It discusses the various arenas and circumstances in which women and children are vulnerable to violence and to infection with HIV, using direct quotes and case studies of women and children's experiences. It then discusses effective strategies and programmes that are needed to address violence in each situation, illustrating with case studies.
Good Practices in Combating and Eliminating Violence Against Women
UNDAW, May 2005
This report gives a global picture of VAW, highlights best practice and lays out recommendations in the areas of law, prevention and provision of services.
Abandoning Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Information From Around the World
Population Reference Bureau and Partners, 2005
This CD-ROM, in English and French, is a collection of data and research on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) from a wide variety of sources. This resource is a direct response to the findings of a 2004 survey in which respondents said that serious information gaps on FGM/C exist. The CD-ROM fills some of these information gaps, particularly where the Internet is an expensive and unreliable method of research, by including material on various approaches used by organizations working toward abandonment of FGM/C, as well as on statistics, training efforts, and policy aspects. This resource is being disseminated to various NGOs and individuals worldwide.
Researching Violence Against Women – A Practical Guide for Researchers and Activists
WHO / PATH, 2005
This manual draws on the collective experiences and insights of many individuals, and in particular from the implementation of the WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence against Women in over 10 countries. The manual has been developed in response to the growing need to improve the quality, quantity, and comparability of international data on physical and sexual abuse. It outlines some of the methodological and ethical challenges of conducting research on VAW and describes a range of innovative techniques.
