While sexual assault against women has always been a consequence of war, in recent decades it has reached epidemic levels. Wherever there is conflict - in Darfur, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Kosovo - women and girls have been systematically raped. An estimated half a million women were raped during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. In Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, approximately 60,000 women were raped in the war. The scale of violence against women in conflict situations is staggering, yet there is no evidence this epidemic is abating. The early warning signs in Kenya make that all too clear where, like in other conflicts, women and girls are targeted.
The UN in Kenya is acutely aware of the vulnerability of women and girls and is working together to ensure that women receive the best protection possible and a full range of support is provided to those who need it.
"UNDP's crisis work is guided by an Eight Point Agenda on Women and Girls that aims not only to protect women, but also to empower them and give them a voice," said Kathleen Cravero, Director of UNDP's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery. "We must do everything possible to prevent attacks, support survivors when attacks occur and bring perpetrators to justice. Just as importantly, we need to ensure that women are fully involved in the recovery process."
For more information on UNDP's work on crisis prevention and recovery, please visit http://www.undp.org/cpr/
For media queries, please contact:
In New York:
Jehane Sedky, Tel: 212 906 6711, jehane.sedky@undp.org
In Nairobi:
Jemaiyo Chabeda, Tel. +25472 3727779, jemaiyo.chabeda@undp.org
About UNDP: UNDP is the UN's global network to help people meet their development needs and build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working as a trusted partner with Governments, civil society and the private sector to help them build their own solutions to global and national development challenges. Further information can be found at www.undp.org |
