Overview

Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most widespread human rights abuses in the world, affecting individuals and impacting entire communities. It is a distinct protection risk which is exacerbated during crises and threatens crisis-affected persons everywhere that IOM operates.

According to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) GBV is defined as, "any harmful act that is perpetrated against a person's will and that is based on socially ascribed (i.e. gender) differences between males and females." It can include incidents of forced marriage; psychological/emotional abuse; physical assault; denial of resources, opportunities or services; sexual assault and rape. The term GBV is used to underscore  the systematic inequality that exists between males and females that exists in every society.

In 2018, IOM launched its Institutional Framework for Addressing GBV in Crises (GBViC Framework). Building on its broader protection approach, knowledge and good practices, the GBViC Framework aims to ensure that the safety, dignity, well-being, and equitable access to services for all crisis-affected persons, especially women and girls, is prioritized, integrated, and coordinated across all IOM crisis operations. It articulates why and how IOM tackles GBV in crises and defines IOM's vision and scope through three institutional approaches:

1. Mitigating risks: by taking action to address the risks of GBV in all crisis operations and doing no harm;
2. Supporting survivors: by facilitating access to survivor-centred, multisectoral services; and
3. Addressing the root causes: by contributing towards progressively transforming the conditions that perpetuate GBV such as unequal power dynamics, gender inequality and a lack of respect for human rights.

These three approaches are set out in the Operation Model below.

Key Considerations

Guiding Principles

IOM's work on GBV is guided by a set of core and globally recognized principles – GBV Guiding Principles – that place the survivor of GBV at the center and prioritize the survivor's rights, needs and wishes at all times. The Organization's approach strives to ‘do no harm', leave no one behind and ensure that all survivors have access to the care and services they need. As such, any intervention addressing GBV in crises must be guided by the following:

• GBV happens at all stages and in all types of crises
• Living free of GBV is contingent upon addressing gender equality
• Anyone can be a survivor or a perpetrator of GBV, but women and girls are primarily affected by it
• Mitigating GBV risks is about good quality programming and it is everyone's job
• Localizing response and developing partnerships are the key to success of interventions
• Ensuring safety, confidentiality, respect and non-discrimination is essential to protecting the rights and dignity of survivors and promoting resilience

Other Important Considerations

Survivor-centered approach: The survivor's rights, dignity, needs and wishes must be prioritized at all times. Underpinned by the principles of confidentiality, safety and security, respect, and non-discrimination.

Do no harm: Conduct activities in a way that seeks to avoid any unintended negative effects that may occur as a result of being present and providing assistance.

Informed consent: Informed consent is voluntarily and freely given based upon a clear appreciation and understanding of the facts, implications and future consequences of an action. Acquiring informed consent requires that we: Provide all possible information and options to a survivor in a way they can understand; The survivor can understand this information and/or their decisions, and its consequences; Ensuring that the survivor's decisions are voluntary, they know they have the right to refuse and are not coerced by others (e.g. family members, caregivers or service providers).

For non-GBV/Protection staff some examples of when they need informed consent of a survivor is:

• In case of disclosure of a GBV incident, informed consent is required to contact a primary focal point on the GBV referral pathway.
• For any research purposes.
• Sharing information about the survivor or the incident to facilitate access to services.

Special considerations must be taken for children: As children depending on their age, level of understanding and development may not be able to provide informed consent because they do not have the ability and/or experience to anticipate the implications of an action, and they may not understand or be empowered to exercise their right to refuse. In which case, if possible, to seek consent from a caregiver. However, where children are able to understand usually ages 14 and above, ensure to also get their assent.

Intersectionality: IOM's approach to gender is progressively evolving to recognize that other dimensions of identity – for example age, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability and socioeconomic status – intersect to produce unique and specific experiences, privileges and vulnerabilities at the individual level. GBV interventions should employ this lens of ‘intersectionality', taking into consideration how vulnerabilities to, and experiences of, GBV differ depending on other aspects of identity.

Data Collection: Inquiries into GBV incidents are extremely sensitive. Collecting and sharing information on GBV can be dangerous, even life-threatening to survivors, communities, and those involved in collecting the information. A range of ethical and safety considerations must be considered at all times, as such:

• IOM does not screen for/seek out to identify survivors of GBV or collect information on individual GBV incidents, particularly in crisis situations.
• Do not collect GBV data if you're not conducting GBV response services.
• When implementing GBV specialized interventions and there is a necessity to collect incident data, it is important to note, that no information sharing is possible without a data sharing agreement and informed consent of the survivor.

To improve programming and advocate for the needs of survivors, staff can instead use already existing data, if available. Alternatively, they can also collect information through key informant interviews (KIIs) with service providers and front-line staff, and through assessments on access to and safety of services.

Relevance to IOM’s Emergency Operations

GBV – even in times of stability – is under-reported. Humanitarian crises and situations of fragility more broadly, can exacerbate exposure to different forms of GBV. This can include, sexual violence; harmful traditional practices, such as, forced early marriage, genital mutilation and intimate partner violence, to name a few.

The GBViC Framework helps IOM to safeguard the safety, dignity and well-being of all crisis-affected persons, especially women and girls. Specific measures and interventions to mitigate, respond to and prevent GBV must be undertaken from the onset of a crisis and continue through transition and recovery efforts in all IOM sectors and programmes. The GBViC Operational Model builds on all 15 sectors of assistance in in line with the Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF). The Model defines a set of essential, non-specialized interventions (those than can be undertaken without GBV-specialized expertise in the country) that, at a minimum, must be implemented in all crisis operations.

 

GBV Non-Specialized Interventions and GBV Specialized Interventions:

• Non-Specialized Interventions or GBV Mainstreaming: The process of ensuring that all crisis programming interventions: (1) do not cause or increase the likelihood of GBV; (2) proactively seek to identify and take action to mitigate GBV risks in the environment and in programme design and implementation (risk mitigation); and (3) proactively facilitate and monitor vulnerable groups' safe access to services. GBV mainstreaming is distinct from – but complementary to – GBV specialized programming.
• GBV Specialized Interventions/Programming: These programmes focus on comprehensive, technical GBV prevention interventions and response services for survivors. Specialized programmes may target one specific form of GBV, such as conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), or they may address multiple forms of GBV occurring amongst the population. Prevention interventions in specialized GBV programmes typically go beyond the risk mitigation interventions undertaken by all humanitarian sectors and may include community-based approaches for influencing changes in sociocultural norms around gender, gender equality, and the use and/or abuse of power.

Examples of specialized and non-specialized interventions from the GBViC Operational Model:

 

Specialized Interventions	Non-Specialized Interventions
Equip and support IOM staff and partners to safely and ethically link survivors to available specialized services/referral pathways in the case of a disclosure.	Ensure women's and girls' participation and voice are promoted in all aspects of crisis response (e.g. women's participation in camp governance), including through selection and capacity enhancement of female staff.
Train health service providers in clinical care for survivors and preposition medicines and supplies.	Identify context-specific risks and vulnerable groups through participatory assessments and data collection, including regular safety audits.
Design and implement interventions aimed at shifting harmful social gender norms and practices.	Support GBV coordination mechanism and consult GBV partners on system-wide priority interventions.

 

The GBViC Operational Model does not intend for an operation to undertake all strategic interventions but rather to rapidly select appropriate and attainable interventions in an integrated manner. However, based on institutional policies and global commitments, all IOM operations must implement the essential, non-specialized interventions marked with a star.

Crisis operations that do not take into account the risk of GBV cannot adequately adhere to common standards that promote protection principles, gender equality and conflict-sensitivity. As such, these operations can in fact exacerbate the risk of GBV and represent a failure on the part of IOM to fully promote, respect and protect the rights of affected populations, especially women and girls.

Finally, IOM recognizes that only collective and sustained efforts lead to effective protection from GBV in and beyond crisis settings. The GBViC Framework provides the foundation for IOM staff to strengthen their engagement and contribution towards the collective efforts of the UN system, civil society and partners to address GBV worldwide.

Coordination

IOM actively supports and participates in a range of inter-agency networks and groups at global, regional and country levels that prioritize addressing GBV in crises and accountability to crisis-affected populations.

• IOM is a partner to the Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies (Call to Action), a global multi-stakeholder platform that aims to fundamentally transform the way that humanitarian actors address GBV. The Call to Action brings together States, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations to collectively address GBV. IOM has made Organization-wide, specific, measurable commitments under the Call to Action Road Map.
• IOM supports the GBV Accountability Framework, which provides a guide for humanitarian actors, from service providers to GBV coordinators and humanitarian leaders and donors, on the steps they can take to combat GBV within their mandates.
• IOM is a core member of the Global Protection Cluster's GBV Area of Responsibility (GBV AoR), the global level forum for coordination and collaboration on GBV prevention and response in humanitarian settings led by UNFPA. IOM actively contributes to the GBV AoR's work plan and supports the AoR's priorities. At field level, IOM actively supports and participates in GBV Sub-Working Groups or GBV Sub-Clusters where these are active.
• IOM is also an active member of the IASC's Guidelines for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action (GBV Guidelines) Reference Group and actively supports the work of the GBV Guidelines' Implementation Support Team global, regional and country levels.
• IOM is a member of the cross-UN Initiative UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action). UN Action works to facilitate access to justice, fight impunity and promote accountability for sexual violence. IOM is committed to ending sexual violence in conflict, improving coordination, accountability and supporting national efforts to prevent sexual violence and respond to the needs of survivors.

Operations

IOM designs its operational responses in line with the Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF).

The GBViC operational model builds on all 15 MCOF sectors of assistance. It centers on a common vision and shared objective, to which each IOM operation can make a contribution based on an understanding of the different outcomes and strategic interventions that are sought and undertaken.

The GBViC model and the interventions within it are relevant, to varying degrees, to all of IOM's sectors of assistance. The model outlines the three institutional approaches with corresponding outcomes and strategic interventions.

The strategic interventions listed in the GBViC model are meant to guide IOM operations in defining IOM's specific contributions to addressing GBV in that context. The type of intervention(s) an operation implements will depend on the identified needs and priorities of the GBV response in that particular geographic area, and on IOM's capacities and comparative advantages. The model does not intend for an operation to undertake all strategic interventions but rather to rapidly select appropriate and attainable interventions in an integrated manner, bearing in mind the intended outcomes that these interventions seek to achieve.

At a minimum all IOM operations must implement the essential, non-specialized interventions marked with a star in the model. IOM interventions can be divided into those that can be undertaken by all IOM sectors, regardless of whether there are GBV-specialized staff in the operation (non-specialized interventions on the left side of the model pictured above, Mitigate Risks) and interventions that require GBV specialist capacity to be implemented (specialized interventions on the right side of the model, Support Survivors and Address Root Causes).

Lessons Learned / Best Practice

GBV risk mitigation through Shelter interventions, site planning and site improvements in Nigeria: In Nigeria, IOM is one of the major Shelter actors involved in the rapid response; care, maintenance or upgrading of existing shelters in the IDP camps or camp-like settings.

Shelter staff have taken significant measures in ensuring increased awareness of GBV mitigation measures in site planning, including through on-site trainings open to partners lacking knowledge of GBV. Shelter practitioners have been trained in recognizing camp elements that can increase GBV risks, for example highly congested sites, location of latrines and ensuring privacy in bathing facilities, and identifying and implementing interventions to mitigate these risks. In addition to raising awareness on GBV and risk mitigation among staff and partners, the Shelter team also has a dedicated site planner, which has facilitated the adaptation of the design of facilities according to the needs and context.

Specifically, GBV risk mitigation interventions undertaken by Shelter and site planning team include:

• S/ADD is collected and analyzed during beneficiary selection
• Family size and type is considered during shelter allocation
• Keep a minimum 2.5 m space between shelters to avoid unsafe narrow pathways (also as fire mitigation measure)
• Use of cluster layout to control shelter extensions
• Eliminated construction of transitional shelter
• Redesigned sanitation block to ensure gender segregation and culturally appropriate infrastructure Installation of privacy screens in WASH facilities
• Installation of locks

 

Integrated Emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Response and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in South Sudan:

In a context where access to water is limited and accessing sanitary facilities pose major risks of exposure to GBV, one of the objectives of IOM's WASH interventions in South Sudan is to increase access to water, sanitation and hygiene promotion services and address GBV. To this end, a range of measures are undertaken by the WASH team to mitigate risks through trainings, assessments, tool development and participation activities.

Specifically, GBV has been integrated in WASH interventions through the following:

• Safety audits conducted for establishment and rehabilitation of water points.
• Training for male and female pump mechanics (target 30% women).
• Establishment of Water Management Committees (WMC) with 50% women (50% women target) and integration of gender/GBV into training and follow-up with the Committees.
• Safety audits carried out for latrine rehabilitation and construction in schools and health facilities.
• Dignity kits distributed, mainly to school girls to keep girls in school as often they would drop out because of the challenges associated with menstruation management.
• Training for community hygiene promoters on GBV core concepts to enable them to provide GBV prevention-related messages.
• Conducted women's leadership training for WMCs and CHPs.
• Training for IOM WASH staff and implementing partners on GBV mainstreaming approaches.

 

DTM Identifying GBV Concerns in the Humanitarian Responses in Iraq:

In Iraq, IOM is at the forefront of the humanitarian response. DTM is a critical component of the broader humanitarian efforts and cluster programming in the country.

In 2015, IOM Iraq piloted a gender assessment leading to the publication "Gendered Perspective: Safety Dignity and Privacy for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Living in Camp and Camp-like Settings in Iraq", which identified risks and vulnerabilities of women and girls, men and boys in displacement and informal sites in Iraq. Building on these two efforts, IOM Iraq enhanced the protection component of the DTM methodology to support a more effective and accountable integration of GBV prevention and response and gender equality into its tools and products.

The DTM team now has the capacity to collect site-level data that can assess GBV risks related to camp or site layouts and shelter as well as by service provision, such as WASH or core relief items. It also offers information for other sectors to mainstream GBV risk mitigation in their daily activities. The DTM team in Iraq also works closely with GBV and Protection partners to improve its data collection and sharing through joint standard operating procedures (SOPs) with the Protection Cluster, GBV Sub-Cluster, and Child Protection Sub-Cluster. The SOPs clearly indicate the type of data collected, sharing frequency, levels of data sensitivity, data protection policies, and facilitate continuous collaboration to ensure capacity for protection-enhanced data collection. DTM data is cited by the GBV and Child Protection clusters in the Humanitarian Response Plan 2017 and often used for cluster programming, and is further critical for the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) process.

In February–March 2017, DTM collected site-level data and conducted safety audits and CCCM assessments in informal settlements. Tools to integrate GBV risks are shared with specialized and non-specialized GBV responders to reduce and mitigate GBV risks where possible. In continuing to increase access to information, DTM also has a protected page on its portal to disseminate GBV risk related findings and share sensitive data with its SOP members.

Media

Contacts

For more information, please contact IOM's GBV Support Team at: gbvsupport@iom.int.