Gender-based violence and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse

Gender-based violence and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse

Gender-based Violence (GBV) is a critical issue involving harmful acts directed against a man, woman, boy or girl based on socially ascribed differences.  This encompasses a range of abuses, including physical, sexual, economic, emotional, and psychological violence, as well as the denial of essential resources and services. This type of violence is pervasive and persistent in emergency contexts.

Food insecurity, poverty, disasters, crises, conflicts and health outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have increased the prevalence of GBV and disrupted state and community social structures. This has caused limited access to mental health and psychosocial services, reproductive health services and domestic violence shelters. Women and girls in search of water, fuelwood or agricultural assistance in remote and unfamiliar locations are exposed to heightened risk of violence.

Worldwide, an average of 30% of women aged 15 and older experienced GBV (UN Women, 2023), but its true prevalence is hard to estimate due to underreporting. Only 40% of affected women seek help, and a mere 10% approach the police. Rural areas, where services and support for GBV are often lacking, see not only women and girls but also men and boys as victims. More than 162 countries have legislated against domestic violence, and 147 have instituted laws to combat sexual harassment in workplaces (UN Women, 2023). However, the mere existence of these laws does not necessarily mean they conform to international standards and recommendations, nor does it ensure their effective implementation and enforcement. GBV, contributing to food insecurity and poverty, becomes more severe in humanitarian crises due to the breakdown of traditional support structures, impacting the physical and mental health of all genders and undermining efforts in food security and nutrition.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is committed to protecting human rights, adhering to the Sphere Humanitarian Charter's principles. FAO strategizes to prevent harm, protect individuals from violence, and support rights, accessing remedies and recovering from abuse. FAO focuses on protecting and restoring human rights while building resilient livelihoods. This includes ensuring Accountability to Affected Populations, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and workplace safety, while engaging communities in decisions impacting their livelihoods and protecting women.

FAO assists in assessing protection risks and identifying vulnerable populations, providing evidence for gender-responsive prevention and mitigation strategies. A conflict-responsive approach analyzes project interactions with local contexts to avoid harm and maximize positive impacts, following the principle of Do No Harm and aiming to Do More Good. FAO's zero tolerance policy towards Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) is reinforced by a Corporate Action Plan on PSEA with concrete actions to create a safe working environment.