UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action MDTF)

Assistance Strategy

UN Action seeks to amplify existing efforts by the UN system and its peacekeepers to address sexual violence in conflict – reinforcing good practice, strengthening coordination and avoiding duplication of effort. To achieve this synergy of action, it harnesses the comparative strengths of each UN entity for a “force-multiplier” effect. This is in recognition of the fact that sexual violence requires a broad-based, multi-sectoral response. It aims to:

• Align the UN’s work more effectively behind national efforts to address sexual violence;
• Deepen partnerships with civil society actors working to address the issue;
• Harness the comparative strengths of each UN system entity;
• Work alongside existing UN coordination mechanisms including the Gender Sub-Working Group of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), and the Area of Responsibility (AOR) on Gender Based Violence within the Protection Cluster;
• Position responses to sexual violence in conflict more centrally within UN tools and mechanisms including CAPs, CERFs, PRSPs, and CCA/UNDAFs; and
• Enhance the UN’s response to Security Council Resolutions 1820, 1325,1612 and 1674, broadening the constituency for addressing sexual violence against civilians.

Working through Integrated Missions and UN Country Teams, UN Action seeks to both strengthen the UN’s response to survivors, but also to better protect women from conflict-related sexual violence, and to take action to address impunity – recognising that the problem is a security as well as a humanitarian and developmental issue. UN Action is also supporting women’s engagement in conflict prevention activities, peace negotiations and post conflict recovery processes. This helps to ensure that sexual violence is on the agenda of the police, security forces, justice and social support sectors after conflict. It also supports efforts to provide survivors with the economic security required to rebuild their lives. UN Action seeks to connect with governance and reform processes that improve women’s access to decision-making and strengthen their voices in public affairs, with the long term view of promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The UN Action MDTF provides funding for proposals that embody the six guiding principles and contribute to one or more of the three pillars of activity listed below:

Six Guiding Principles:

• Rape is not an inevitable consequence of conflict. It must be prevented.
• Gender-based violence, including sexual violence, is a violation of fundamental human dignity and rights.
• Attempts to end to sexual violence must address gender-based inequalities by empowering women, and protecting and promoting their rights.
• The constructive involvement of men and boys is vital.
• Survivors of sexual violence must guide advocacy and programming efforts to end sexual violence and secure peace.
• Sexual violence in conflict is one of history’s great silences. We all have a duty to act.

Three Pillars of Activity:

1. Country Level Action: strategic and technical support to joint UN system efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict, including efforts to build capacity and train advisers on conflict-related sexual violence.
2. Advocacy: action to raise public awareness and generate political will to address conflict-related sexual violence.
3. Knowledge Building: creation of a knowledge hub on sexual violence in conflict and effective responses.

The UN Action MDTF, in accordance with its Terms of Reference, is intended to facilitate and streamline the provision of donor resources to UN Action activities.