 |
| |
| Fast Facts: |
| Project
document and reports available
upon request |
| Location: |
North,
West and South Darfur |
| Duration: |
March
2006 - June 2008 |
| Focus
area: |
Democratic
Governance/
Women's Empowerment |
| Donors: |
US
Agency for International Development |
| Total
Funds Available: |
US$
2.3 million |
| Partners: |
UNICEF;
UNFPA; UNOCHA; UNMIS/HR; IRC;
lawyers’ associations; State
Universities |
| Delivery
for 2007:
|
US
$1,704,855.02 |
| Contact
person in UNDP: |
Toby
Bonini, Programme Officer, toby.bonini@undp.org |
|
Background
Four years after the fighting broke
out, the situation in Darfur continues
to be characterized by a lack of human
security. More than 200,000 people are
estimated to have died and at least
2 million displaced from their homes
– almost one third of the population
of Darfur before the conflict.
Despite the security situation, humanitarian
agencies have been able to deliver
humanitarian assistance. However,
because of the continuing uncertainty
regarding security conditions in areas
of return, the overwhelming majority
of internally displaced persons (IDPs)
do not plan to go back to their villages
in the near future. Consequently,
the level of tension in the camps,
as well as amongst other at risk of
conflict populations and host communities,
has been increasing since the beginning
of the crisis.
In war-torn Darfur, like in many
crisis situations, women and young
children are vulnerable to various
forms of violence, including rape
and sexual assault. While the humanitarian
community has been responding to the
psycho-social needs of victims of
Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)
in Darfur, there is still a capacity
gap in the legal response for cases
that need to be addressed, to create
effective and comprehensive protection
for prevention and treatment.
In an attempt to address this type
of violence, and with the support
of the US Agency for International
Development (USAID), UNDP began the
Addressing Gender Based Violence in
Darfur project in the three states
of Darfur: North, South and West Darfur,
in March 2006.
Objectives
The project’s main objective is
to enhance the prevention, protection
and response activities on SGBV by strengthening
the legal response capacities. Through
this project, UNDP is also committed
to the implementation of UN Security
Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace
and Security, with special attention
being given to the protection of women
and girls from sexual and gender based
violence in war-torn Darfur.
The project’s specific objectives
include:
• To improve the institutional
response of the judicial and prosecutorial
services and the traditional justice
systems through capacity building
support.
• To ensure that the gender
based violence victims are supported
and properly represented in their
attempts to seek legal redress.
• To build a client-centred
response for GBV survivors that provides
support and guidance on the legal
and social services available in Darfur.
• To strengthen the Darfur Legal
Aid Network’s capacity to provide
representation to GBV survivors.
• To strengthen the capacity
of traditional institutions to apply
customary law in GBV cases without
reinforcing harmful practices and
discrimination.
Snapshots of the project's major achievements
• The project established a Sexual
and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) Working
Group that serves as a forum for coordination
and collaboration.
• Conducted SGBV awareness raising
sessions for over 700 beneficiaries,
including paralegals, judges, lawyers
and the judiciary.
• In collaboration with several
UN agencies, provided technical support
to the SGBV committees in compiling
a national plan on SGBV.
• Established women’s committees/centres
that are being trained in dealing with
SGBV.
• Established a partnership with
the Chief Justice, the Chief Prosecutor,
the Chief Attorney-General in El Fasher,
in raising awareness on SGBV and on
addressing it.
• Referred several SGBV cases
to the UNDP-supported Legal Aid Network.
• Conducted a series of Sufi Workshops
on Violence Against Women in El Geneina
and El Fasher and El-Geneina.
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