Sexual and gender-based violence during times of armed conflict or in the aftermath of disasters and other emergencies

The EU, its Member States and National Red Cross Societies are concerned about the critical humanitarian issue of sexual and gender-based violence during times of armed conflict and in the aftermath of disasters and other emergencies. Sexual and gender-based violence destroys local communities and infringes international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as applicable.
In the framework of its Comprehensive Approach to Implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on Women, Peace and Security, the EU and its Member States will prioritise the implementation of its Guide to Practical Actions at EU level for Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict, adopted at the end of 2014. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the EU and its Member States will undertake actions in the areas of prevention, support, protection and accountability, in contexts of conflict prevention, crisis response and humanitarian aid, and will promote cooperation in the multilateral fora, ensuring strong reporting and transparency to guarantee accountability, support of victims and the sharing of good practice. The EU also recently adopted a Joint EU Gender Action Plan which will set the framework for action for all EU’s external services and that includes clear actions regarding response and prevention of GBV in emergencies, including capacity building of different actors, endorsement of international guidelines and the Call to Action Road Map.
The EU will report twice a year on progress made on the actions suggested in this Guide.
EU Member States and National Red Cross Societies will, according to their respective mandates,
a) raise awareness of the issues, including the causes and effects, of sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict, disasters and other emergencies, through dissemination of and training in international humanitarian law and/or other humanitarian education activities; and
b) work together, as appropriate, to raise awareness of the issues of sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict, disasters and other emergencies, and the policies, systems, and mechanisms necessary to prevent and mitigate this violence;
c) support the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence’s (Zainab Hawa Bangura) work and efforts to improve the international community’s response to sexual and gender based violence in conflicts, disaster and other emergencies across the world;
d) explore opportunities to share lessons and knowledge learnt through responding to sexual violence in times of conflict that may be applicable to other situations, such as disasters and other humanitarian emergencies;
e) promote the International Protocol on the Documentation and investigation of Sexual Violence as a tool for States and local actors to investigate and record sexual violence crimes; and
f) continue supporting prevention and response activities related to sexual and gender based violence.

Action plan