Police Inspector warns husbands May 10, 2008
He deplored the practice by some couples to discriminate among their children, saying such practice was a gender-based violence punishable by law. The Police Inspector appealed to women to support their husbands and assist them in managing the family. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Kenya:Army Chief Denies Mt Elgon Abuses Apr 22, 2008
On the basis of interviews with local people and eyewitnesses, HRW has accused the Kenyan military of unlawful killings, torture, detention, and gender-based violence. It says during the operation, authorities arrested almost every male over the age of 15 and took them for screening at a military base to determine if they were members of SLDF.. (allAfrica.com)
Darfur Food Rations Cut Due to Rising Insecurity Apr 18, 2008
Attacks on food convoys and general violence were hindering aid provision, while sexual and gender-based violence in and around camps for internally displaced persons was high. Relevant Links. (allAfrica.com)
Sudan:UN Issues Gloomy Report on Darfur Apr 17, 2008
com: Sudan: Hopes for Political Solution in Darfur Wilt Under Military Action - UN Report (Page 1 of 1). Use our pull-down menus to find more stories. (allAfrica.com)
Liberia: UN Highlights Need for Security Reforms Apr 15, 2008
To address gender-based violence in Liberia, UNMIL and the UN Country Team are supporting the Government in finalizing the national gender policy. The Government has also developed a national action plan against gender-based violence to deter and prosecute rape cases and approved a new rape law. (allAfrica.com)
Sudan: UN Appeals for $40 Million for Darfur Displaced Apr 5, 2008
"Preventing sexual and gender-based violence also remains a key challenge," he added, explaining that operations will focus on protection activities. Such efforts include monitoring the well-being of refugees, IDPs and returnees, strengthening camp management and providing community-based rehabilitation programmes in rural areas along with other partners and UN agencies. (allAfrica.com)
Central African Republic: Rape Survivors Struggle to Cope Apr 2, 2008
As well as providing a forum for solidarity, revenue-generation and wellbeing for women who have suffered gender-based violence (GBV), Monam also aims to combat such abuse, identify its perpetrators and fight against the stigmatisation of women in general and rape survivors in particular. According to Ndokoyanga, several members of the group were abandoned by their husbands after they were raped. (allAfrica.com)
Stigma Clings Stubbornly To Women Living With HIV/AIDS Apr 1, 2008
The online survey, conducted by Harris Interactive for amfAR, questioned nearly 5,000 respondents ages 18-44 and covered HIV risk and responsibility, impact of gender-based violence, and women s access to healthcare and health information, as well as attitudes towards HIV-positive women. The survey was made possible by grants from Broadway Cares /Equity Fights AIDS and the M A C AIDS Fund. (Science Daily)
Rape Most Reported Crime Mar 22, 2008
The national taskforce on the Gender-based Violence (GBV) brought together the Liberian Government, the United Nations, other partners. Speaking at the launch, Mensa-Bonsu said "though we in the UN have teamed up with the Government of Liberia and launched the National Plan of Action for Gender-Based Violence in 2006, rape continues to be the highest reported crime in Liberia.". (allAfrica.com)
Liberia:Special Court for Sexual Violence Underway Mar 22, 2008
"Having such as court has been a dream of AFELL and it is now a reality," said Zeor Bernard, Vice President of AFELL. "We are now working with the prosecutorial section of the Ministry of Justice to also have a special unit to prosecute sexual and gender based violence cases," he said ... Liberia's Gender Based Violence Taskforce head Patricia Kamara who is also the country's Assistant Gender Affairs Minister told IRIN that the new court was a victory for women rights advocates. (allAfrica.com)
South Africa: HIV/Aids Challenges Rural Women [press release] Mar 18, 2008
"They continue to experience discriminatory attitudes and practices - particularly from male partners and live in an environment rife with high levels of sexual and other gender-based violence.". Despite gradual improvements in the government's response to the HIV epidemic and the adoption of a widely-welcomed five-year plan, five and a half million South Africans are HIV-infected one of the highest numbers in any country in the world. (allAfrica.com)
Liberia: Civil Society, Govt Campaign Against Rape Mar 15, 2008
The Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu noted that while the UN has previously teamed up with the Government and civil society groups to form a gender-based violence task force, it was vital that members of the public became directly involved in the anti-rape campaign. "Everyone has a role to play," said Ms. Mensa-Bonsu. (allAfrica.com)
AFGHANISTAN: Sharp rise in reported cases of violence against women Mar 8, 2008
UN agencies involved in women's development efforts in Afghanistan say a dramatic increase in the number of reported cases of violence against women does not necessarily imply that gender-based violence has increased ... Not only are Afghan women victims of gender-based violence, thousands of them are also dying and suffering due to a lack of health services in the war-torn country. (AlertNet)
Action needed to stop violence against women Mar 8, 2008
The legislation would integrate efforts to end gender-based violence into all existing, appropriate U.S. foreign-assistance programs, with a special emphasis on supporting the overseas women's groups working in the trenches to keep women and girls safe. I-VAWA would authorize substantial resources for international programs that prevent violence, provide services to survivors, hold perpetrators accountable, change public attitudes and better address violence against women in humanitarian... (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Slideshow Victorian women who made a difference. | A2 Mar 8, 2008
It's the least researched form of gender-based violence ... We do have better programs and better recognition, but gender-based violence is a huge problem. (The Age, Australia)
South Sudan: Peace Dividends or Peace Penalties? Mar 6, 2008
Limited UNHCR staff capacity will make it difficult to monitor returns and respond to recurrent gender based violence issues ... Limited UNHCR staff capacity will make it difficult to monitor returns and respond to recurrent gender based violence issues. (AlertNet)
Rabbi Harold Schulweis rallies help for the oppressed abroad Mar 3, 2008
And three small radio stations in rural Chadian villages air "She Speaks, She Listens," a weekly broadcast discussing problems of gender-based violence. All three initiatives grew out of an organization founded by Rabbi Harold Schulweis in southern California, called Jewish World Watch (JWW). (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
African countries' report on ending gender-based violenceAddis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - African countries' report on progress made in preventing and addressing gender-based violence will be presented at a three-day international colloquium organized here by the UN in collaboration with the AfricanUnion (AU) and the Government of Ethiopia this week. 26/02/2008 Full Text... Feb 26, 2008
African countries' report on ending gender-based violence. African countries' report on ending gender-based violence ... Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - African countries' report on progress made in pre venting and addressing gender-based violence will be presented at a three-day in t ernational colloquium organized here by the UN in collaboration with the African. (Panapress.com)
Student hotline a hit Feb 24, 2008
Read Bruce Kirkland's pre-Oscar coverage in entertainment. Sun, February 24 / 08. (Toronto Sun)
Liberia: Mob Violence Never Acceptable, UN Envoy Says Feb 22, 2008
"We need you to speak out against sexual and gender-based violence, especially rape. Rape is the most common serious crime in Liberia today. You should get involved in stopping these grave crimes that affect our mothers, aunties, our sisters, daughters and nieces.". AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over , plus more than , who are responsible for their own reporting and views. (allAfrica.com)
Trokosi -An Opportunity to abuse women .... Feb 19, 2008
The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (CEDAW) defines violence against women to include: any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. To the victims of this practice, the practical realisation of the principle of equality with men, as per Article 17(2)... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Fact Sheet: U.S. Africa Policy: An Unparalleled Partnership Strengthening Democracy, Overcoming Poverty, and Saving Lives Feb 15, 2008
President Bush continues to support democratic transitions in many African countries such as Liberia and Mauritania, strengthening democratic institutions in post-conflict countries, such as the DRC and Burundi, and assisting civil society organizations across Africa in combating gender-based violence, trafficking in persons, and other human rights violations. In FY 2007, the U.S. provided close to $175 million for programs to promote just and democratic governance in African nations. (White House News Releases)
UN: 13 Countries Use Child Soldiers Feb 14, 2008
The council expressed concern at "the widespread and systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual violence against children, in particular girls, in situations of armed conflict" and called on all parties to take special measures to protect girls and boys from sexual and gender-based violence. More from. (Time.com)
Kenya: Crisis Highlights Cluster Complications Feb 13, 2008
Two sub-clusters have also been set up in Kenya to address gender-based violence and child protection. Visiting camps in Nakuru and Molo in Rift Valley Province, the region worst affected by the violence, the UN's Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes highlighted the education cluster as one that had been slow to get off the ground. (allAfrica.com)
Kenya: UN Security Council Calls for Compromise Feb 7, 2008
It also noted that "civilians continue to be killed, subjected to sexual and gender-based violence and displaced from their homes.". According to the Kenya Red Cross Society, more than 1,000 people have lost their lives and over 300,000 have been displaced since the 27 December 2007 elections in which President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner over opposition leader Raila Odinga. (allAfrica.com)
Africa steps up Kenyan diplomacy Feb 7, 2008
The 15-member body unanimously adopted a non-binding statement expressing "deep concern that, despite the commitments made on 1 February, civilians continue to be killed, subjected to sexual and gender-based violence and displaced from their homes.". Foreign ministers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda and Somalia arrived meanwhile for a meeting on Thursday, which a foreign ministry official downplayed as an informal "consultative forum" after the opposition-raised objections. (iAfrica.com)
Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict Released [press release] Feb 1, 2008
The use of various forms of sexual violence and gender-based violence as a weapon of war against children has become alarming. For example, in the DRC, 60% of the recorded cases involved victims between the age of 11 and 17. (allAfrica.com)
Sudan: UN, Govt to Discuss Darfur Force Jan 22, 2008
Fryer emphasized the need to intensify community policing, fight gender-based violence and improve cooperation between the UNAMID police force and local officers. UNAMID is being deployed to try to quell nearly five years of violent clashes between rebels, Government forces and allied militia known as the Janjaweed. (allAfrica.com)
UNFPA assists Kenyans displaced by post-elections violence Jan 22, 2008
UNFPA is also assessing existing interventions to respond to gender-based violence, identify gaps, and map organizations already working in this area to ensure coordination and avoid duplication of efforts. 21 Jan. 08. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Central African Republic: Conflict Uproots 300,000, UN Reports Jan 18, 2008
com: Central African Republic: Conflict Uproots 300,000, UN Reports (Page 1 of 1). Use our pull-down menus to find more stories. (allAfrica.com)
Health workers grapple with rise in rape Jan 17, 2008
According to Jeanne Ward, an international consultant on gender-based violence, it is crucial that protective measures such as lighting and separate latrines for men and women be set up in the camps to prevent further attacks. She noted that in emergency situations where the infrastructure breaks down, women and girls tend to be put at increased risk of violence, particularly sexual violence. (AlertNet)
Kenya: As Death Toll Rises, Ban Ki-Moon Calls for Urgent Solution to Crisis Jan 16, 2008
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has expressed particular concern about the increase in gender-based violence, especially sexual and physical assault, in the aftermath of recent events. "Rape has been occurring and cases have increased following the post-election violence," UNFPA's Florence Gachanja told reporters in Nairobi today, adding that the Nairobi Women's Hospital has reported 56 cases in the last 10 days and cases are increasing every day. (allAfrica.com)
Teen arrested after boy stabbed inside high school Jan 16, 2008
It also called for closer monitoring of school front doors and ensuring all other doors remain locked from the outside, a provincial portfolio dedicated to monitoring school safety, an end to the zero-tolerance Safe Schools Act and policy measures to deal with gender-based violence and cyber-bullying. In January 2006, the panel recorded 177 violent incidents in schools across the district, including some involving guns, robbery and sexual assault. (Globe and Mail)
School shooting victim's mother blames silence for death Jan 15, 2008
It also calls for closer monitoring of school front doors and ensuring all other doors remain locked from the outside and an end to the zero-tolerance Safe Schools Act and policy measures to deal with gender-based violence and cyber-bullying. The report concludes that many of the more than 250,000 students at Toronto public schools contend daily with a culture of fear that pervades many of the city's secondary-school institutions. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Sudan: Hybrid Darfur Force Faces Daunting Task Jan 8, 2008
They have faced persistent lack of interpreters and experienced female staff to address issues of sexual and gender-based violence ... It too was plagued by insufficient personnel, including a limited number of female staff with expertise in sexual and gender-based violence and too few interpreters. (allAfrica.com)
Needs of migrants ignored in North County Dec 29, 2007
Women migrants are even more vulnerable to gender-based violence and abuse, often becoming victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Migrants commonly face rampant discrimination, xenophobia, substandard and severely overcrowded housing, a paucity of appropriate health information and services, and untenable labor conditions. (North County Times)
Liberia: Women Complete Police Training Dec 27, 2007
Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor added that female police officers have proven to be effective in handling cases of sexual and gender-based violence, perpetrated mainly against women and children. "UNMIL will not remain silent on this matter; we have therefore formed a strong partnership with the Liberian Government and other stakeholders to address this menace.". (allAfrica.com)
Married Indian women raped, beaten: UN Dec 24, 2007
The consequences of gender-based violence are devastating, including life-long emotional distress, mental health issues and poor reproductive health. "Abused women are also at a higher risk of acquiring HIV," the report said adding that it puts burden on the healthcare system as they become long-term users of health services. (Hindustan Times)
Namibia: PM Reflects On 2007 Dec 21, 2007
What marred the development efforts, he said, was the prevalence of gender-based violence, with the most macabre and brutal slaying of women by the yet-to-be-apprehended "B1 Butcher". "The case of the so-called B1 Butcher is very disturbing. I hope that our police are still on this case and that this criminal will be caught," he said. (allAfrica.com)
The amazing double life of Enriqueta Favez Dec 17, 2007
The SDC supports many gender projects in Cuba, including on masculinity, sexuality and gender-based violence. LINKS. (SwissInfo.org, Switzerland)
Africa: Life Expectancy Down Due to Diseases, Says Karume Dec 16, 2007
They include poverty, hunger, diseases especially malaria and HIV and Aids, gender-based violence, rural to urban migrations, urbanisation, high fertility rates and other issues involving population and development. The meeting has attracted about 1,000 delegates. (allAfrica.com)
Africa: Kagame Receives Africa Gender Award Dec 13, 2007
"Since the 1994 Genocide, Rwanda has been distinguished for its integration of women in the reconstruction process and its fight against gender-based violence. Rwanda is the only country in the world that can count 48% of women MPs in their national Parliament," the organisation said. The award is given at the government level to recognise African leaders who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in encouraging gender parity in politics, it added. (allAfrica.com)
Ceremony recalls Montreal shooting victims Dec 7, 2007
Although the prevalence of gender-based violence is alarming, we must remember that today is also a call for action. Each one of us must work within our community and with the help of our governments to prevent and eliminate violence against women. (Globe and Mail -- National)
Liberia: New Study Spotlights Sexual Violence Dec 6, 2007
"One of the biggest or more common excuses that we hear [from governments and donors] when we try to bring up the issue of violence against women and girls is 'Show us the numbers if you say this is such a big problem,'" said Heidi Lehmann, senior technical advisor on gender-based violence for the IRC. ... The study, which surveyed 600 women and girls in eastern Nimba and central Montserrado counties, revealed communities rife with gender-based violence ... Gender-based violence typically soars... (allAfrica.com)
U.S. Secretary Flies in for Great Lakes, Horn Summit [document] Dec 4, 2007
The meeting will also foster dialogue between the governments and seek common efforts to eliminate gender-based violence. We expect it to be attended at the head of state level, from the officials of the four countries as well as observers being invited from the United Nations, AU Chairman Konare, and the Great Lakes envoy for the EU.. (allAfrica.com)
Rwanda: Campaign Against Gender Violence On Nov 29, 2007
The 16 Days Campaign seeks to help dismantle obstacles and overcome challenges posed by social attitudes and policies that continue to condone and perpetuate gender based violence. Share this story on. (allAfrica.com)
The refuge lottery Nov 28, 2007
Every year, 3 million women across the UK experience some form of gender-based violence. The perpetrators are more often than not men known to the victim. (Guardian Unlimited -- Society)
Liberia: 'Violence Against Women' Parade Nov 27, 2007
A call to action to end Gender Based Violence worldwide has begun gaining momentum in Liberia as the Ministry of Gender and Development leads a parade to the Ministry of Justice today to present a statement against violence. This year's celebration of the 16 Days of Activism under the global theme "Demanding Implementation, Challenging Obstacles: End Violence Against Women," calls for the abolition of all forms of violence against women. (allAfrica.com)
Zambia: State to Address Gender Violence Nov 27, 2007
PRESIDENT Mwanawasa says the Government will enact laws and domesticate relevant international conventions to address gender-based violence ... Dr Mwanawasa told the gathering at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC) that he had instructed Justice Minister, George Kunda to speed up the process of drafting the Bill on gender-based violence to further strengthen the law. (allAfrica.com)
Africa Joins Fight Against Gender-Based Violence Nov 27, 2007
com: Africa: Joining the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence (Page 1 of 1) ... Africa: Joining the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence ... "FGM [female genital mutilation/cutting] is the number-one form of gender-based violence for women in Somalia.". (allAfrica.com)
Facilities set aside 'for those whose gender may not conform with societal stereotypes' Nov 18, 2007
" Gender-specific restrooms located on all lower levels library floors 1 through 6. The event was sponsored by , USM Residence Life and Student Involvement, and . Following a film viewing and workshop in the afternoon, a two-hour social event and caucus session was offered where participants were encouraged to "attend the caucus which most closely aligns with how you identify," Hein said. (Story continues below) Caucuses included the Female-to-Male Spectrum, Male-to-Female Spectrum, the... (WorldNetDaily)
Somalia: UN Agencies Team Up to Help Rape Victims Oct 27, 2007
"Cases are usually dealt with through traditional means, with the attacker having to pay compensation to the victim's father or husband, but never to her. ;;To ensure survivors of sexual violence receive support, a network of UN agencies - including UNHCR, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) - has launched a "sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response plan. . (allAfrica.com)
Somalia: Women Plagued By Rape As Crime Rules Collapsed State Oct 27, 2007
To ensure survivors of sexual violence receive support, a network of UN agencies - including UNHCR, UNFPA and UNICEF - has launched a Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) prevention and response plan. The plan will build upon local NGOs, where fully committed Somali men and women intend to put an end to sexual violence. (allAfrica.com)
Police unit records increasing rape cases Oct 27, 2007
She advised the students to collaborate with teachers and parents to establish clubs in schools to deal with women or citizenship issues to help eradicate gender-based violence. Mrs Debrah called on the students to be in the forefront of exposing violence and empowering the vulnerable and the marginalized to help break the life cycle of violence and promote the rights of females in society. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
USAID Supports Efforts to Reduce Violence Against Refugee and Displaced Women Oct 26, 2007
5 million to conduct a three-year communication initiative, which will address gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices among conflict-affected communities in Liberia, Pakistan, and Rwanda ... As part of the program, video and audio programs that raise awareness of gender-based violence will be produced by, with, and for community members, through a process that emphasizes collaboration and inclusion. (PR Newswire)
Displaced by conflict, then floods, in Uganda Oct 20, 2007
For example, Susan (40) has been working with the Lira Branch since 2003 going to camps and villages of Northern Uganda, raising awareness of HIV and gender-based violence and talking to the communities about health and hygiene issues. When the floods swept across large areas of Northern Uganda this summer, Susan was trained and ready to respond. (AlertNet)
Central African Republic::Insecurity in North Persists - Unicef Oct 16, 2007
For its part, UNICEF said: "Children continue to be used in the armed conflict, particularly in the northwest... rape and GBV [gender-based violence] remain prevalent.". "Although constrained by funding, UNICEF is continuing to work closely with its specialised partner agencies in order to improve these indicators in an effort to enhance human welfare and development across this forgotten country," the agency added. (allAfrica.com)
Over 160,000 Have Been Displaced Since January Oct 10, 2007
Perpetrators are rarely brought to justice and many of the mechanisms the state has established to combat sexual violence, such as the State Committees on Combating Gender-based Violence, function poorly and have had little impact. Although women and girls are the ones primarily collecting firewood and hay, militiamen also target men and boys who farm, travel to markets, or leave their villages or camps for other reasons. (allAfrica.com)
Gender activist to speak at Wells Oct 6, 2007
She has done extensive qualitative research on a variety of topics, including HIV/AIDS on farms, gender and media, gender-based violence, sexualities, gender and land reform, sustainable development, identity-based gender social movements, sexual rights and citizenship, institutional culture and exiles in the anti-apartheid struggle. For the last 15 years she has worked as a researcher, trainer and writer in gender, sexualities and development, and participatory research methodologies. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
Rwanda: Gender-based Violence a Security Threat, Says Defence Force Sep 30, 2007
CALLS for a holistic understanding of gender equality concepts and respect for human rights dominated Thursday's gender based violence meeting at the Ministry of defense headquarters ... The army chief cautioned that gender based violence is a serious social menace that needs special attention in contemporary democracy by governments, multilateral organizations and the civil society. (allAfrica.com)
Somalia: UN Expert Deeply Concerned With Violence Sep 29, 2007
Civilians faced severe violations by all parties to the conflict including of the right to life, disappearance, torture, recruitment as child combatants and sexual and gender-based violence, as well as continued obstacles to the right to food, health and education. Mr. Alnajjar discussed the humanitarian needs of the civilian population, including the more than 700,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), and threats and attacks on aid workers, underlining once again the importance of preserving... (allAfrica.com)
Sudan::UN Reports Rights Abuses Continue in Darfur Sep 25, 2007
In March this year, the Human Rights Council set up the Group of Experts to monitor the situation on the ground amid mounting international concern at armed attacks against civilians and humanitarian workers, the widespread destruction of villages and the lack of accountability for the perpetrators of gender-based violence against women and girls. The Group of Experts said it was not able yet to deliver a detailed assessment, which would have to wait until a complete report can be delivered to... (allAfrica.com)
UN team urges Sudan to punish Darfur rights violators Sep 25, 2007
"Violations of human rights and gender-based violence are continuing with renewed vigour," a Canadian delegate told the Council. The U.N. team -- all experts on rights issues -- asked the Council to renew calls on all sides in the four-year-old conflict to stop violence against civilians, especially women and children, and against relief workers. (AlertNet)
Civilians Under Attack in Scramble for Darfur [Press Release] Sep 20, 2007
UNAMID will need to carry out regular day and night patrols (including firewood and market day patrols), employ well-trained and well-resourced policing units, and contain human rights officers who can publicly report on their findings (including experts in sexual and gender-based violence as well as children's rights). The full deployment of UNAMID may take many months. (allAfrica.com)
Don't justify negative culture against women - Greenstreet Sep 18, 2007
Elmina, Sept. 18, GNA - Professor Miranda Greenstreet, Chairperson of the Gender Development Institute (GDI) on Monday pointed out that although rape is the most often cited sexual violence against women, female genital mutilation, trokosi and widowhood rites were also forms of sexual and gender based violence. She said these cannot be overlooked or justified on the grounds of tradition, culture or social conformity. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
