Sixteen Ways UNFPA Works to End Gender Violence
1. Publicizing underreported forms of violence against women
Every day, women subjected to
violence in many forms. Beginning in 2006, the Fund has marked the beginning of the 16 Days campaign with five stories that it believes global media might have ignored, under-played or simply been unaware of.
Read the news release and related features from the Russian Federation and Tajikistan.
2. Documenting successful approaches ending violence against women
Gender-based violence is a deeply rooted problem that demands strategic, comprehensive and culturally sensitive approaches. In ten countries, UNFPA has applied such approaches and documented the experiences for development practitioners as well as other interested parties. See the multi-media exhibit.
3. Ending tolerance for domestic violence
Violence against women cuts through all segments of Turkish society. But thanks to a major, multi-pronged campaign, the issue has come out from behind closed doors and is now squarely in the public arena. Read this special feature and view a PSA that was widely aired to change attitudes.
4. Speaking up for millions of missing girls
Discrimination against daughters, leading to prenatal sex selection or even infanticide, has left parts of China and South Asia with severe sex ratio imbalances. Preference for sons in several Asian countries could have widespread social consequences. Read the news release and related studies.
5. Speaking out against female genital mutilation/cutting
Over 100 million women have been subjected to female genital mutilation/cutting, a practice that still puts up to 3 million girls at risk each year.
UNFPA, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a
$44-million programme to end this harmful traditional practice within a generation. Read about UNFPA's holistic approach to the issue as well as documentation from the Global Technical Consultation on FGM/C.
6. Partnering to stop sexual violence in armed conflict and disaster settings
In Darfur, UNFPA and partners are working in many ways to prevent violence and support survivors. In the Congo (DRC), UNFPA is coordinating the largest-ever multi-agency, multi-sector programme to prevent and respond to cases of sexual violence. And UNFPA and Ghent University (Belgium), with the support of UN partners, are working to build the capacity of a cadre of experts to coordinate violence-related interventions in conflict settings around the world. Read more about UNFPA's approach.
7. Supporting young women traumatized during brutal conflicts
A project in Sierra Leone is helping victims of sexual violence reintegrate into society and learn valuable life skills, including the knowledge and personal empowerment that can help them protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections. Read the feature story. And hear what young women have to say for themselves about life in conflict zones in Will You Listen?
8. Training police to deal with family violence
In many countries, UNFPA supports training of police officers to assist abused women by taking their cases seriously, informing them of their rights and sometimes even providing victim protection. Read feature stories and related video about working to support survivors in Haiti and Ghana.
9. Treating and supporting survivors of extreme sexual violence
In the Great Lakes countries of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, an epidemic of brutal rape wreaks havoc on the lives of survivors and continues to demoralize communities and destabilize the region. View slideshow.
10. Providing a safe haven for girls escaping coerced marriage
In many countries, forced child marriage robs girls of their human rights and subjects them to violence. UNFPA-supported shelters provide a haven for young girls trying to escape a cruel fate. Read the feature story, see the video and review the related Fact Sheet.
11. Highlighting the injustice of child marriage and too-early pregnancy
Child marriage is a health issue as well as a human rights violation. Because it takes place almost exclusively within the context of poverty and gender inequality, it also has social, cultural and economic dimensions, including high rates of maternal mortality and injury. See the award-winning video about child marriage in Ethiopia and read about consequences of adolescent pregancy.
12. Offering alternatives to ‘survival sex'
In the capital of Haiti, which is plagued by political and social unrest, 11- and 12- year-old girls trade sexual favours for spending money. A drop-in centre offers them other options. Read the feature story.
13. Calling attention to a new form of slavery
UNFPA works closely with governments to address the ever-widening threat posed by human trafficking and supports women and girls in their recovery and return.
14. Assisting survivors of domestic violence
Most violence against women occurs in the home. But women often stay with abusive partners because they have no other place to go. UNFPA-supported shelters offer an alternative. Read the feature story, view a related video and learn more about programming approaches to the issue.
15. Addressing the needs of women in refugee camps
Refugee camps are intended to be safe havens - but displaced women often face many forms of gender-based violence. UNFPA has partnered on an interagency field manual that includes guidelines for addressing sexual and gender-based violence in refugee camps. See also the related feature story.
16. Supporting efforts to end impunity for perpetrators
In Liberia, President Ellen Johson-Sirleaf has made the fight against sexual violence a priority of her administration. Read the feature story and related press release. In Guatamala, UNFPA is engaged in efforts to end impunity for killers of women.
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16 Days of Activism To End Violence Against Women 
