This report, developed with expert practitioners, researchers and policy analysts on the EVAW Prevention Network, England, sets out why we need a targeted and long term approach to preventing violence against women and girls. This report largely calls on schools and other educational institutions to play their part in creating a safer world for women and girls.
This issue brief brings to light important differences between bullying and harassment and speaks to the priorities and responsibilities of school districts in understanding these differences.
This report focuses on the realities and prevalence of sexual violence committed against children in conflict. It urges action to recognize and address this issue by global leaders.
Asia Child Marriage Initiative: Summary of Research in Bangladesh, India and Nepal (pdf)
This study on child marriage in Bangladesh, India and Nepal explores the perceptions of different stakeholders about the causes and consequences of child marriage and the efficacy of Plan’s programming in addressing these factors.
Born Free and Equal: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in International Human Rights Law (pdf)
This resource sets out the source and scope of some of the core legal obligations that States have to protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The 60-page booklet is designed as a tool for States, to help them better understand the nature of their obligations and the steps required to meet them, as well as for civil society activists, human rights defenders and others seeking to hold Governments to account for breaches of international human rights law.
Combating Acid Violence in Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia (pdf)
Acid violence is the “intentional act of violence in which perpetrators throw, spray, or pour acid onto victims' faces and bodies.” The report finds that acid violence is a form of gender-based violence because it disproportionately affects women, which is prohibited by the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia are all parties to CEDAW and are under a legal obligation to undertake measures to prevent acid violence.
The report calls for the governments of Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia to fulfill their obligation to CEDAW in a number of ways. This includes the adoption of legislation to prevent attacks, provide punishment of perpetrators, and compensate victims. In all three countries, survivors face immense challenges in obtaining adequate healthcare.
This study aims to contribute to understanding the issue of child marriage by providing new findings and insights from the States of Rajasthan and Bihar. Findings from the study, undertaken by the International Center for Research on Women reveal that deeply entrenched norms are slowly changing through promising interventions to delay marriage and encourage girls' education. The report also makes recommendations toward the development of an integrated intervention strategy to delay marriage for girls by enhancing girls' access to education, empowerment, community mobilization, partnership with media, and strengthening of law enforcement.
Effective Police Responses to Violence Against Women (pdf)
This Handbook is designed to assist and guide police officers in the prevention of,
and response to, violence against women. While it has global applications, it is
designed primarily for use by police in transitional and developing countries where
institutional means to protect women from violence have not yet been created or
implemented.
This handbook was also created in conjunction with a Training Curriculum
Ending Violence Against Women, An Oxfam Guide
Oxfam works to end violence against women because it is a human rights violation and a major obstacle to human development. This guide was written to inform and inspire the work of violence prevention. It can be read and consulted individually – or used for discussion with peers. The “candid question” and “exercise” boxes offer avenues for such reflexion and discussion. While the guide is directed towards internal Oxfam staff, it is available
for external distribution as well.
Available in English and Spanish
Ending Violence Against Women: From Words to Action (pdf)
Violence against women is a form of discrimination and a violation of human rights. The continued prevalence of violence against women is
testimony to the fact that States have yet to tackle it with the necessary political commitment, visibility and resources. This study identifies ways to close the gap between States’ obligations under international norms, standards and policies and their inadequate and inconsistent implementation at the national level. It calls for efforts to eradicate violence against women to become a higher priority at the local, national and
international level.
(2006 Publication)
This resource is the summary report of a program in India called "Parivartan". Based on Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM), a comprehensive program that aims to reduce violence against women and girls and alter norms that foster gender inequity, this India specific cricket-based adaptation of the program engaged cricket coaches and mentors in schools and the community to teach boys lessons about controlling aggression, preventing violence, and promoting respect.
The project - “Engaging Young Men through Social Media for the Prevention of Violence against Women” – aims to connect and inspire young people to take action to end gender-based violence and will be carried out in China, Indonesia, and India. The “Social media for social change” meeting brought together the organizations selected to work on this project to share and learn from each other, and to take part in a ‘social media clinic’ with a global expert on social media. Participants explored what social media tools are available and how they can be used creatively to reach out to boys and men to take action to violence against women in Asia and the Pacific.
Envisioning a Regional Curriculum: Working with Boys and Men for Gender-based Violence Prevention (pdf)
This consultation brought together 21 participants from 11 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The overall objective was to discuss a coordinated regional approach to capacity development for the region with the following goals:
-Explore the body of knowledge and training materials on masculinity, gender and violence prevention
-Discuss an outline of an adaptable training curriculum to be used for subsequent capacity development activities in the region
-Define a regional approach to training /capacity development and outline next steps
Exploring the Intersections between Empowerment, HIV, and Violence against Women in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Forced Marriage in Immigrant Communities in the United States: 2011 National Survey Results (pdf)
This resource was developed from information gained through a national survey on the state of forced marriage in the United States. The survey was the first of its kind conducted in the United States and was designed to understand the scope and nature of forced marriage among immigrant communities.
From Survivors to Defenders: Women Confronting Violence in Mexico, Honduras & Guatemala (pdf)
This report follows a 10-day delegation to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala led by Nobel Peace Laureates Jody Williams and Rigoberta Menchú Tum in January 2012. The fact-finding mission investigated the impact of the war on drugs and increased mining operations on the lives of women.
Handle with Care: A guide to responsible media reporting of violence against women (pdf)
A useful and clear guide designed for journalists reporting or writing on violence against women. This guide is an attempt to lay down some common sense standards and procedures for reporting on men’s violence against women, in all its forms. The proposals for best practice go further than the legal requirements on journalists. They form a handbook of moral guidance.
Injustice on Our Plates: Immigrant Women in the U.S. Food Industry (pdf)
This report documents the workplace experiences of immigrant women who have come to the United States to escape poverty. It describes how the laws that are in place to protect them from exploitation are grossly inadequate. Section three talks specifically about sexual violence experienced in the workplace. Results are from interviews with approximately 150 women who are either currently undocumented or have spent time in the U.S. as undocumented immigrants.
International Expert Group Meeting on Combating Violence against Indigenous Women and Girls (pdf)
In January 2012 the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) held an International Expert Group Meeting at UN Headquarters entitled “Combating violence against indigenous women and girls: Article 22 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” This conference applied a human rights framework to the issue of gender‐based violence faced by indigenous women, while contextualizing its global manifestations in the context of States’ responsibilities under international human rights law. This document outlines the themes of the meeting and recalls the conversations that were had. It also includes interviews with indigenous rights activists.
The primary objective of this study is to analyze interventions where volunteerism has played or is playing a significant role in the prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV) in Cambodia. Drawing on consultations with all stakeholders, including volunteers, survivors and representatives of organizations, this study aims to inform and strengthen future volunteer interventions to respond to and prevent gender-based violence.
Media as a Site to Prevent Violence against Girls and Women (pdf)
This expert paper from UN Women explores the media as a site of primary prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG) / gender-based violence.
Men and the Prevention of Gender-based Violence: A Conceptual Framework for Policy Change
This discussion paper was produced for Partners for Prevention. One goal of this interagency collaboration is to produce a holistic, evidence-based set of policy recommendations for more effective gender based violence prevention. Endorsement of these policy recommendations by leading UN agencies will deepen our collaboration with partners in government across the region to implement policy enhancements for effective violence prevention.
Mobilizing Men in Practice: Challenging sexual and gender-based violence in institutional settings (pdf)
Through exploring ways of engaging men as gender activists within the institutions to which they belong, Mobilizing Men is working to better understand what it takes to confront sexual and gender based violence in institutional settings. This resource brings together stories and lessons from this work, as well as some of the tools used by the Mobilizing Men partners in India, Kenya and Uganda. It is intended to inspire and guide others who are committed to engaging more men in efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence within the institutions in which we live our lives.
Partners for Prevention Annual Report 2010: Working to Prevent Violence against Women (pdf)
This report covers Partners for Prevention's progress and key programmatic milestones from 2010. Through valued partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region, Partners for Prevention moved from a take-off phase in 2009 to full implementation of their three projects in 2010 - Evidence-based Policy Advocacy, Capacity Development and Networking and Communications for Social Change.
PHENG THAO: Pushing Boundaries to Affect Systems Change (pdf)
This article profiles Pheng Thao, a Minnesota leader engaging men in primary prevention efforts to end sexual and domestic violence. While Pheng focuses on the Hmong community in this article, the issues he identifies are familiar in every community in Minnesota. Pheng is a great example of what men can do and the impact we can have as we speak up and organize to end men’s violence and support gender equality.
This report highlights why and how interpersonal and self-directed violence during and after disasters is a predictable and preventable problem and the actions the International Federation and its partner agencies should take to have a more engaged role in addressing the problem. Canadian Red Cross & the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Preventing Violence Against Women and Children: Workshop Summary
"The Institute of Medicine, Forum on Global Violence Prevention held its first workshop January 27-28, 2011 to explore the prevention of violence against women and children. The workshop was designed to examine approaches to violence prevention from multiple perspectives and diverse levels of society. The workshop brought together stakeholders to discuss intervention strategies to prevent violence before it starts, prevent the recurrence of violence, prevent violence-related trauma, and stop the spread of violence to the next generation or social level. Speakers suggested a need to advance research on the co-occurrence of abuse on both child and partner, changing social norms, and the state of violence prevention research in low- and middle-income countries. This document is a summary of the workshop."
Progress for Children: A report card on adolescents (pdf)
Progress for Children: A report card on adolescents provides an overview of the situation of adolescents, including of their vulnerabilities in critical areas. It makes a compelling case for increased efforts in advocacy, programming and policy, and for investment, to ensure the rights of adolescents and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The last section of the report focuses on violence experienced by adolescents.
Released April 2012
Protect: Identifying and Protecting High Risk Victims of Gender Based Violence
PROTECT aims at contributing to the prevention and reduction of the most serious forms of gender-based violence against girls, young women and their children, such as grievous bodily harm, homicide and attempted homicide, including so-called honour crimes and killings.
The project’s target groups are professionals from core agencies responsible for the protection and support of victims and the prevention of violence, organisations and institutions working in the area of violence prevention, policy makers and – last but not least – victims of gender-based violence.
Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Its Causes and Consequences (pdf)
This thematic report addresses the topic of gender-related killings of women. Globally, the prevalence of different manifestations of gender-related killings is reaching alarming proportions. Culturally and socially embedded, these manifestations continue to be accepted, tolerated or justified—with impunity as the norm. States‘ responsibility to act with due diligence in the promotion and protection of women‘s rights is largely lacking as regards the killing of women.
Security Council Resolution 1820 on Women, Peace, and Security (pdf)
This is the text of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 which confronts sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. Recognized by this resolution is that the maintenance of international peace and security is not possible with the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence as an instrument of conflict. With this resolution the SC is committed to considering appropriate steps to end such atrocities, punishing perpetrators, and requesting a report from the Secretary General on situations in which sexual violence is being widely or systematically employed against civilians and on strategies for ending the practice.
The link above is to the English version of the resolution. Over 100 other translations can be found here.
The Experience of Violence in the Lives of Homeless Women: A Research Report (pdf)
This multi-site statewide study examined the experience of violence among 800 homeless women living in one of four cities in Florida. The results from the quantitative portion of the study combined with the qualitative interviews demonstrate that the homeless women taking part in the Florida Four City Study endured various combinations of victimization, homelessness and other traumatic life events and that in many cases, these experiences led the women to feel inconsequential, worthless, isolated and alone.
The Role of Faith Based Organisations in a Strategy to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls (pdf)
This expert paper reflects on the role of faith based organizations in civil society, looking in particular at their potential to contribute to change; but also at their roles in continuing to support norms and attitudes that legitimize violence against women and girls.
Thematic study on the issue of violence against women and girls and disability (pdf)
This report analyzes national legislation, policies and programmes for the protection and prevention of violence against women and girls with disabilities. It highlights the remaining challenges in addressing the root causes of violence against women and girls with disabilities and how to incorporate women and girls with disabilities into gender-based violence programmes. The study concludes with recommendations on legislative, administrative, policy and programmatic measures to address violence against women and girls with disabilities.
This study is based on qualitative research undertaken in a small community in the province of Punjab in Pakistan. The research aims to deepen understanding of male attitudes and perceptions on gender based violence and their link to masculine identity.
VAWNet Special Collections: Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and Response
This collection highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of women and children to domestic and sexual violence in disaster and emergency situations. Included in this collection are selected materials and resources -- many gender-informed -- that can be used by domestic and sexual violence organizations to increase their preparedness for and response to major disasters and emergencies. Also included is information developed for victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence who are concurrently coping with trauma and stress after a natural disaster or major crisis. Special attention has been given to the issues faced by children in these situations.
Violence Against Women Living in Situations of Armed Conflict (pdf)
Report on a World Health Organization Workshop that addresses the importance of recognizing the extent and prevalence of violence against women living in situations of armed conflict and the urgent need to take action against it.
Who Are Transgender People? Transgender Basics for Victim Service Providers
From FORGE, this informational sheet provides terms and definitions on gender identity and expression for victim-service professionals.
The consultation brought together approximately 65 participants from East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific and focused three objectives:
-Explore the concepts of masculinities, gender relations, and gender-based violence (GBV) – and how they are connected.
-Share promising practices and lessons learned in the region on the engagement of boys and men in gender equality and GBV prevention.
-Explore next steps to for collaboration across the region to engage boys and men in work towards gender equality and GBV prevention.
The consultation brought together participants from across South Asia and focused on three key objectives:
1. Deepen our understanding of gender, masculinities and gender-based violence in the South Asian context
2. Discuss an approach and process for working together regionally to engage boys and men in work towards gender equality and prevention of Gender-based Violence (GBV)
3. Reach agreement on next steps, roles and responsibilities for working together regionally.
World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development
This report details types of disparities and practical solutions for all countries facing gender inequality. The main messages of this report focus around how gender equality affects development, how global development has closed some gender gaps while others persist, understanding progress and persistence, priorities for domestic policy action, and the role of the international community.
Whole report available as a pdf, or see the website to download individual chapters.