Guidelines for Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Settings Focusing on Prevention of and Response to Sexual Violence in Emergencies

The primary purpose of these guidelines is to enable humanitarian actors and communities to plan, establish, and coordinate a set of minimum multisectoral interventions for prevent and respond to sexual violence during the early phase of an emergency.

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Introduction

Gender-based violence (GBV),and in particular sexual violence,is a serious,life-threatening protection issue primarily affecting women and children.It is well documented that GBV is a widespread international public health and human rights issue, and that adequate, appropriate, and comprehensive pre-vention and response are inadequate in most countries worldwide.

Gender-based violence is especially problematic in the context ofcomplex emergencies and natural disasters,where civilian women and children are often targeted for abuse,and are the most vulnerable to exploitation,violence,and abuse simply because oftheir gender,age,and status in society. Gender-based violence is a violation ofuniversal human rights protected by international human rights conventions, including the right to security of person; the right to the highest attainable standard ofphysical and mental health; the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment;and the right to life.