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A more systematized and equitable response to internally displaced persons outside camps 2012, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- Improved and more systematized responses to IDPs outside camps, can also help address a number of other issues, including the precarious nature and protection problems raised by unmonitored and unassisted hosting arrangements such as those between IDPs and host families or friends. Highly or entirely dependent on the assistance and shelter provided by host families, certain groups of IDPs, such as vulnerable categories of women, children and the elderly, may be particularly at risk of a number of protection concerns, including abuse, exploitation, and sexual violence by their hosts. In this regard, this mandate has recommended the establishment of appropriate monitoring and ombuds-mechanisms, and other activities such as visits by social workers, working with local associations and counselling centres, and the establishment of a hotline, in order enhance the protection of IDPs living within host-family arrangements.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Achieving durable solutions for internally displaced persons in urban settings 2014, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- Internally displaced persons in informal urban settlements typically reside in makeshift shelters, where they are barely protected from intruders and are exposed to the risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Urban displacement leads to changes in gender relations, thereby increasing risks of domestic violence, sexual and gender-based violence, survival sex, exploitation and forced labour. Access to protection and assistance for internally displaced women is vital.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Achieving durable solutions for internally displaced persons in urban settings 2014, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- In some cases, such as in Colombia, there are hundreds of associations of internally displaced persons, representing various communities of origin, women's groups or indigenous groups, among others. The Government has set up a consultative process with those associations that reaches out to such groups. The Government of Georgia has also engaged in widespread consultations with internally displaced persons (see A/HRC/26/33/Add.1). While not flawless, such processes represent a meaningful effort by Governments to consult internally displaced persons. Consultations can affect the attitude of the Government towards such persons, as was the case in Afghanistan. For example, until 2013, the authorities had not considered internally displaced persons to be permanent citizens of Herat, but, following the consultations, the political elites of the city now acknowledge the permanent settlement of those persons in the city. In a major breakthrough, the Government is now considering upgrading and regularizing the Maslakh settlement. Measures aimed at achieving durable solutions for internally displaced persons can therefore yield positive results when internally displaced persons are treated not as objects, but as active participants in the search for, and implementation of, durable solutions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Achieving durable solutions for internally displaced persons in urban settings 2014, para. 61g
- Paragraph text
- [Durable solutions remain available options for internally displaced persons, including those in urban settings. The very nature of urban displacement, however, tends to lend weight to local integration as the viable choice preferred by internally displaced persons in urban areas. Informed by the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and the Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons, the Special Rapporteur reiterates his recommendations made in his previous reports (A/HRC/19/54 and A/68/225) and adds the following recommendations to:] [National and municipal authorities] Consult internally displaced persons at both the urban planning and implementation stages, for example through community or neighbourhood representations involving both men and women;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Achieving durable solutions for internally displaced persons in urban settings 2014, para. 61o
- Paragraph text
- [Durable solutions remain available options for internally displaced persons, including those in urban settings. The very nature of urban displacement, however, tends to lend weight to local integration as the viable choice preferred by internally displaced persons in urban areas. Informed by the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and the Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons, the Special Rapporteur reiterates his recommendations made in his previous reports (A/HRC/19/54 and A/68/225) and adds the following recommendations to:] [National and municipal authorities] With the support of international organizations, implement livelihood programmes and vocational training aimed at bridging the gap between the existing skills of internally displaced persons and those required to enter the labour market in their place of displacement; and adapt vocational training to demographic groups, such as matching food and vocational training as a way to enable the participation of women, foster their resilience and obtain community buy-in;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Climate change and internal displacement 2011, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Guiding Principle 7(3) provides for a number of such procedural guarantees, in addition to the requirements in Guiding Principle 7(1) mentioned in paragraph 52 above. A specific decision by an appropriate State authority is required; full information must be provided to internally displaced persons on the reasons and procedures for the displacement, the place of relocation and compensation; and their free and informed consent must be sought. Moreover, authorities must endeavour to involve affected persons, including women, in the management and planning of the relocation and ensure that the right to an effective remedy, including the review of decisions, is respected.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Evolution, challenges and trends in internal displacement 2012, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- The mandate has also played an essential role in mainstreaming the human rights of internally displaced persons within the United Nations system. Its participation in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee has been and continues to be a central platform for that mainstreaming role, as it continues to advocate for the integration of issues relating to internal displacement in Inter-Agency Standing Committee policies and operational strategies. Increased understanding and mainstreaming of those issues within the United Nations system has also been made possible through the mandate's partnerships and close engagement with United Nations agencies such as UNHCR, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and OHCHR, as well as the General Assembly and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, such as other special procedure mandates and treaty bodies, for example, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Human Rights Committee. Through its thematic reports and inputs to those bodies, the mandate has regularly highlighted the specific human rights dimensions of internal displacement and raised new or neglected aspects of the rights of internally displaced persons, such as their participation in peace processes, the impact on their human rights of larger phenomena such as climate change (A/66/285), the protection of persons in situations of natural disasters (A/HRC/16/43/Add.5), and the situation of internally displaced persons outside camps (A/HRC/19/54).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Evolution, challenges and trends in internal displacement 2012, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- The significant body of work in the area of gender and displacement, for example, has resulted in the recognition that displacement affects women and men differently and that, as a result, they may have specific protection and assistance needs. Yet, at the present juncture, it may be opportune to examine the level of impact on the ground of approaches in this area, and to consider alternative strategies for promoting the skills, resources and meaningful participation of internally displaced women, at all levels. For those reasons, the mandate will dedicate its 2013 report to the Human Rights Council to the issue of internally displaced women. Other issues also merit study, such as responses to internally displaced persons living outside of camp settings, and the specific protection and assistance needs of migrants affected by internal displacement in their host countries.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Evolution, challenges and trends in internal displacement 2012, para. 67g
- Paragraph text
- Continue to identify and address the various causes of internal displacement, emerging issues and areas which need to be strengthened through improved understanding, methodologies, approaches and responses. Such areas include, inter alia, the impact of global megatrends on internal displacement; responses to internally displaced persons outside of camps; frameworks and approaches to better promote the meaningful participation and empowerment of internally displaced women; strategies to revive practical and political action in protracted displacement situations; and bridging of the humanitarian/development gap by analysing and addressing the structural, institutional and operational factors which sustain it and impede early recovery and durable solutions;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Governance structures for internal displacement 2015, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- All responses to internal displacement must recognize the particular dynamics of displacement and the profile of those displaced. In situations of conflict or violence, ethnic or religious minorities may be particularly affected and, consequently, the principles of equality and non-discrimination must be respected at all stages of the response and by all actors. Certain groups may be particularly vulnerable both during displacement and in displacement locations, including women and girls, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and the chronically ill. Responses must be sensitive to their needs and measures put in place to address specific protection concerns, including the need to protect women and girls from sexual violence (A/HRC/23/44).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Girls
- Persons on the move
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Governance structures for internal displacement 2015, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- Authorities must also ensure that personnel working on internally displaced persons issues receive adequate training, are sensitized to internally displaced persons' specific needs, including those of particularly vulnerable persons, and are able to respond in a timely way to the concerns of those affected. It is essential that law enforcement and frontline and administrative officials receive training to ensure that they meet international standards when dealing with internally displaced persons. Gender-specific training should also be provided to ensure that the specific rights and protection needs of internally displaced women and girls are responded to in the best possible manner.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Governance structures for internal displacement 2015, para. 37
- Paragraph text
- At all stages of displacement, responses must involve full consultation with and meaningful participation of internally displaced persons and other displacement-affected communities, including when formulating policy frameworks and programmes. Internally displaced persons must not be considered simply as passive beneficiaries but as full stakeholders in the design, implementation and monitoring of responses. Internally displaced persons' voices, including those of women and particularly vulnerable groups, must be heard. Internally displaced persons must be consulted on any decision affecting them and consultative bodies and processes must be established as part of displacement governance. This is imperative to ensure protection of the rights of internally displaced persons, for example, their right to freely choose whether to return to their homes or find durable solutions in a location of their choice. During his country visit to Georgia in June 2013, the Special Rapporteur welcomed the active participation of civil society representatives in the formulation of the State strategy on internally displaced persons, adopted in 2007. He nevertheless noted that the Government should provide internally displaced persons with better information and consult them systematically (A/HRC/26/33/Add.1).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Governance structures for internal displacement 2015, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- A durable solution cannot be said to have been achieved if internally displaced persons cannot enjoy physical safety and security and cannot benefit from the effective protection of national and local authorities, including protection from the threats that triggered the initial displacement or that may cause renewed displacement. It is essential that national and local authorities pay specific attention to the protection of internally displaced persons, maintain monitoring mechanisms to ensure that internally displaced persons are not victims of further violations in their place of return, local integration or resettlement and ensure accountability by receiving complaints and addressing them. The specific protection needs of internally displaced women and girls should be given dedicated attention and it may be useful to appoint trained gender focal points in different sectors of the police and other law enforcement bodies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Governance structures for internal displacement 2015, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- Questions related to housing, land and property are often complex and require effective management. Effective and accessible mechanisms for timely restitution of housing, land and property rights of internally displaced persons must be established for them to achieve durable solutions, regardless of the solution they have opted for. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee Framework states that "the right to restitution or compensation extends to all displaced persons - including men, women and children - who have lost ownership, tenancy rights or other access entitlements to their housing, land and property, whether they have formal or informal titles or rights on the basis of mere uncontested use or occupation …." The Special Rapporteur also recalls the importance of States implementing the principles on housing and property restitution for refugees and displaced persons, developed by the Special Rapporteur of the Subcommission on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2005/17, annex), most notably principles 12.1-12.6 relating to national procedures, institutions and mechanisms for considering restitution claims of displaced persons.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Human rights of internally displaced persons in the context of the Post-2015 development agenda 2015, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- In December 2014, the synthesis report of the Secretary-General on the post-2015 sustainable development agenda highlighted "gap issues", and included explicit references to internal displacement. It calls for a transformative shift away from business as usual and proposes six "essential elements": (a) dignity: to end poverty and fight inequalities; (b) people: to ensure healthy lives, knowledge and the inclusion of women and children; (c) prosperity: to grow a strong, inclusive, and transformative economy; (d) planet: to protect our ecosystems for all societies and our children; (e) justice: to promote safe and peaceful societies and strong institutions; (f) partnership: to catalyse global solidarity for sustainable development.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Human rights of internally displaced persons in the context of the Post-2015 development agenda 2015, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- As women and mothers, poor and frequently from minorities, internally displaced women face multiple and intersectional challenges. Women are frequently separated from men in conflict-related displacement situations, sometimes permanently due to the death of men, or to men joining the armed conflict or being forced to flee the conflict without their families. Women also frequently have the primary responsibility of caring for children and the elderly and are less able to seek employment or income-generating activities. Despite these obstacles, internally displaced women frequently take on family and community leadership roles.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Families
- Men
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Human rights of internally displaced persons in the context of the Post-2015 development agenda 2015, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- As highlighted by the Special Rapporteur in his address to the Security Council as well as in a press statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, internally displaced women and girls are often disproportionately affected by displacement. The Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo, has said: "They flee to escape arbitrary killings, rape, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, forced recruitment or starvation, but too often, they encounter the same level of insecurity, violence and threats of violence, reinforced by a climate of impunity, at their destination."
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Human rights of internally displaced persons in the context of the Post-2015 development agenda 2015, para. 67
- Paragraph text
- Seeking and obtaining employment or livelihood activities are commonly more difficult for displaced persons in unfamiliar localities who may face additional barriers, including discrimination, loss of documents, and the psychosocial impact and pressures of displacement. Where they find refuge in areas of existing unemployment or economic hardship they are likely to be the last to gain work if it does become available. Women and mothers are likely to face unique challenges and restrictions to their income-generating activities, including childcare issues and the threat of violence if they leave the camps.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Internal displacement in 2010: What are the major challenges? 2010, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- After visiting a number of countries affected by disaster-induced displacement, the Representative found that too often insufficient attention is paid to the multiple human rights challenges they face in these situations. The rights of persons displaced by natural disasters often suffer not only because of weaknesses in the disaster response but also because disaster preparedness and disaster mitigation measures were not adequately put into effect. Disaster induced displacement often exacerbates pre-existing patterns of discrimination, putting already marginalized and vulnerable groups at increased risk of human rights abuse. The result can be insufficient or inappropriate protection from threats caused by the effects of disaster; unequal access to humanitarian assistance, in particular for displaced women; discrimination in the provision of assistance; sexual and gender-based violence, particularly in collective shelters or camps; infringements of the right to education; non-replacement of lost, confiscated or destroyed documents; economic and sexual exploitation of children in the absence of sufficient assistance; unsafe or involuntary returns or forced relocations to other parts of the country; or failure to restore property and reconstruct houses or provide compensation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Internal displacement in 2010: What are the major challenges? 2010, para. 84c
- Paragraph text
- [Millions of people are being newly internally displaced every year as a result of conflict and violence. Disasters displace even more people and the effects of climate change will exacerbate this trend. Development-induced displacement is also on the rise. With international attention focused on camps of internally displaced persons, many other displaced remain invisible, because they stay with host families, are dispersed in urban areas or their existence is officially denied. Some vulnerable groups within the displaced population are also regularly overlooked. Host families and communities are often heavily affected by displacement, but they are often neglected. The Representative urges member States and humanitarian and development actors to expand their scope of action and recommends that they:] Pay greater attention to internally displaced persons with multiple layers of vulnerability and discrimination, especially elderly persons and those with disabilities, women heads of households and their children, and displaced persons belonging to ethnic minorities or indigenous peoples.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Internally displaced women: progress, challenges and the way ahead 2013, para. 21
- Paragraph text
- Despite these developments, in many cases responses to internal displacement still do not adequately address the concerns of women, who account for some 50 per cent of IDPs. As IDPs, women experience the various human rights challenges characteristic of displacement situations generally, and which often place IDPs at greater risk than most other affected populations. These frequently include: loss of livelihoods and key documentation, and lack of effective access to a number of important rights and services. Existing patterns of discrimination prevalent in many of these contexts are exacerbated during conflict and contribute to violations of women's rights to housing, land and property. IDW also often experience human rights challenges due to interlinked forms of discrimination based on gender, and intersection of gender with other factors such as age, group affiliation (e.g. membership in minority groups), disability, civil status, socioeconomic status and displacement itself. Particular groups or categories of IDW can therefore be especially at risk, while the particular risks encountered by IDW vary depending on the displacement context (e.g. emergency situations, protracted displacement situations, camp settings, etc.). The Council expressed "particular concern at the grave problems faced by many displaced women and children, including violence and abuse, sexual and labour exploitation, trafficking in persons, forced recruitment and abduction" (resolution 14/6). Other major human rights concerns include inequitable access to assistance, education, training and livelihoods; poor reproductive health care; and exclusion from decision-making processes.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Internally displaced women: progress, challenges and the way ahead 2013, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- The past twenty years have witnessed the formulation of a multitude of tools and standards relevant to gender and forced displacement, which increasingly include IDW. While some standards and practices focus on particular issues such as reproductive health and SGBV, others tackle gender and displacement in a cross-cutting manner. The Guiding Principles formed the first normative framework to detail a number of specific rights of IDW, including non-discrimination and the right of expectant mothers, mothers of young children, and female heads of household, inter alia, to protection and assistance that "takes into account their special needs". The Guiding Principles identify various forms of violence and exploitation against which IDPs should be protected, including SGBV, underline the right of IDW to access all necessary documents, education and training, and call for the active participation of women in decision-making at all stages of displacement. They have informed subsequent instruments and frameworks, which address IDW, such as the Kampala Convention and the Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Internally displaced women: progress, challenges and the way ahead 2013, para. 26
- Paragraph text
- It is now widely recognized that a "two-pronged approach" is needed, which balances programmes targeted at displaced women with concerted gender mainstreaming efforts. Yet many organizations continue to struggle to identify and respond to the multiplicity of concerns facing IDW. To improve its protection and assistance efforts, UNHCR issued the new Age, Gender and Diversity Policy in June 2011 and accompanying Forward Plan for 2011-2016. These documents were informed by an analysis of key challenges that have hindered UNHCR mainstreaming efforts, including a tendency to treat the displaced as "passive beneficiaries of aid" rather than "equal partners with rights" and the need for proactive leadership and follow-up on the findings of participatory assessment processes integral to age, gender and diversity mainstreaming. Progress in mainstreaming also depends on improved coordination between actors and the development of more concrete indicators to assess the implementation of mainstreaming policies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Internally displaced women: progress, challenges and the way ahead 2013, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- Despite myriad training, guidelines and manuals, displaced women and girls continue to be subject to egregious levels of sexual violence. In some situations, sexual violence or other forms of gender-based violence is used as a deliberate tactic to instil terror, and force displacement, or to discourage IDPs from demanding their rights. Beyond being a significant cause of displacement and a grievous human rights violation in its own right, SGBV or the perceived risk of it can also curtail women's access to a range of rights and services.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Internally displaced women: progress, challenges and the way ahead 2013, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- There is therefore a pressing need for a more preventative approach to these challenges. In this regard, the Protocol on the Prevention and Suppression of Sexual Violence against Women and Children (2006) of the Great Lakes region and the model law annexed thereto, the 2011 Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence against Women (Convention of Belém do Pará) provide some important entry points and examples in terms of legal frameworks. Fuel strategies and livelihood initiatives targeting displaced women and girls, and those at risk of displacement, are further practical measures which can be central to reducing exposure to sexual violence. Reducing vulnerability to sexual violence also entails ensuring that survivors have access to appropriate support, including reproductive and psychosocial services and that adequate resources are devoted to gender-sensitive site planning.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Girls
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Internally displaced women: progress, challenges and the way ahead 2013, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- Given that nearly 50 per cent of survivors of sexual assault are under 18 years of age, the Special Rapporteur is concerned about the prevailing tendency to overlook the needs of children and youth in this area. Additionally, a stronger focus on prevention is required regarding SGBV within internally displaced households and communities. At present, most SGBV prevention and response programmes focus on "stranger" rape rather than the more prevalent forms of sexual violence experienced within households and communities (e.g. intimate partner violence), and the problematic coping practices that IDW may be compelled to adopt (e.g. early marriages). Moreover, given that women with disabilities in non-displacement settings are more likely to be victims of sexual violence and abuse, the levels of sexual violence against women and girls with disabilities amongst displaced and conflict-affected populations are likely to be even higher.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Girls
- Persons on the move
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Internally displaced women: progress, challenges and the way ahead 2013, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- In addition to promoting access to criminal and civil justice systems for IDW, it is also essential to consider how their concerns are addressed through transitional justice processes. Transitional justice measures such as restitution, compensation, trials and truth and reconciliation commissions can contribute to recognizing and redressing the violations experienced by IDW, and in turn supporting sustainable solutions to displacement. Maximizing these contributions depends upon ensuring their accessibility, equitability and relevance to the priorities of IDW. For instance, reparation programmes can be calibrated to mitigate pre-existing structural inequalities, such as biased inheritance or other practices, for example by recognizing customary marriages in order to facilitate recognition of succession and inheritance rights and displaced women and men as co-claimants, or by distributing compensation benefits on an individual rather than family-unit basis, so as to increase women's control over the use of their share. In countries where the presence of formal legal institutions is limited at the local level, and alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms or customary justice are de facto the main accessible form of justice, programmes should consider engaging with these to sensitize them to national and international standards and progressively redress discriminatory customary practices.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Internally displaced women: progress, challenges and the way ahead 2013, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- Gender-sensitive responses to internal displacement require the full and equal participation of women in decision-making at all stages of displacement and in peacemaking processes. Such participation is essential to effectively promoting and protecting human rights, preventing rights violations, achieving durable solutions, and supporting sustainable peace processes, post-conflict reconstruction and development. Ongoing participatory needs assessments and "bottom-up" participatory planning processes are essential to overcoming the "implementation gap" between gender policies and effective practice, and ensuring that nationally and internationally supported protection interventions complement women's self-protection strategies and respond to their evolving needs and concerns.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Internally displaced women: progress, challenges and the way ahead 2013, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- Beyond consultation and participation processes, mobilization of IDW to actively assert their rights can play a critical role in advancing and sustaining equitable assistance, protection and development strategies at the community level. In countries such as Colombia and Georgia, IDW have formed organizations to advocate for their rights at multiple levels, gaining important political skills and capacity to inform and advise other women facing human rights concerns. However, IDW who mobilize to defend their rights are often exposed to increased risks and threats, including SGBV perpetrated by State or non-State armed actors. National and international actors should document, monitor and ensure accountability for these violations and ensure comprehensive protection for these IDPs. Equally, these actors can support the development of such groups by encouraging their engagement in policy development and implementation processes, and by promoting access to training and opportunities to exchange experiences with other women involved in mobilization efforts. Moreover, the value of IDW mobilization may extend beyond the period of displacement, as community mobilization efforts establish women as active, equal citizens and leaders. Opportunities for young IDW to participate in mobilization processes are therefore of particular importance.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2013
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Internally displaced women: progress, challenges and the way ahead 2013, para. 46
- Paragraph text
- Access to sustainable livelihoods for both women and men is now widely recognized as a key element of protection in the context of displacement, and is critical to ensuring durable solutions for IDPs. IDW and girls are often disproportionately affected by the loss of livelihoods during displacement. For example, due to security concerns, they may be more confined to the domestic sphere than they were prior to displacement and unable to leave the home in order to pursue livelihoods or other necessary activities. They may not be able to practise their livelihoods due to loss of land and livestock and may have particular difficulty in shifting from rural to urban lifestyles (or vice versa) and livelihood options, depending on their level of education and cultural or other barriers. In extreme circumstances, IDW and girls may resort to dangerous coping practices, such as survival sex, to feed their families. They are also often the first to drop out of school and take on work to support the family; incidences of early marriage tend to rise; and they may experience increased risk of trafficking. Such risks, as well as exposure to sexual violence, harassment, physical abuse, and exploitation, need to be taken into account when programing and advocating for livelihood programmes or schemes for IDW.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph