UN Women in Central African Republic Renews Addressing and Preventing Gender Based Violence
Date:
Bangui, November 30th, 2019 - UN Women in the Central African Republic is holding a number of key events to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism spanning from November 25 through December 10th, 2018. In that vein, a three-day training workshop for Defense and Security Forces (DSF) on addressing and preventing GBV was conducted in Bangui. The workshop, which was held on 27-29 November 2018, was attended by 35 highly ranked members of the defense and security forces (DSF). It is part of a partnership between the CAR Ministry of Defense, UNAIDS and UN Women around a « Zero VBG/VIH avec les Forces de Défense et de Sécurité Centrafricaines » initiative. Participants were trained on key gender analysis concepts, human rights and GBV while putting a special emphasis on the critical importance of addressing GBVs in the DSF in CAR.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Marie Noelle KOYARA, Minister of Defense stated that “58% of sexual violence cases in CAR are perpetrated by armed groups, defense and security forces and forces from the peace-keeping operations. Women victims of GBV, including those in Defense and Security Forces, represent 90% as opposed to men who make 10% of recorded cases. This capacity-building exercise is therefore timely and opportune. “Ms. KOYARA further shared that notwithstanding their mandate, DSFs are exposed to higher risk of HIV/AIDS infection as the prevalence among them is 7,4% which is higher than the national rate of 3%. She commanded UN Women for offering DSFs such an opportunity for applying their newly acquired knowledge to their work and in addressing VBG.
UN Women quoted the UN Secretary General’s statement which remarked that GBV “… is a moral affront to all women and girls and to us all, a mark of shame on all our societies, and a major obstacle to inclusive, equitable and sustainable development. When institutions fail to believe victims, allow impunity, or neglect to put in place policies of protection, they send a strong signal that condones and enables violence.” UN Women noted that out of the 8.321 GBV cases recorded in 2017, 90% concern women and 21% of those are displaced while other violations are not reported due to social taboos. Trainees pledged to address and prevent GBV in the DSF and made a number of recommendations including establishment of “centres d’écoute” for victims in the DSF and a network for fighting GBV.
Other activities are currently being conducted including the launch of the campaign on November 27th, in Sibut in support to the Ministry in Charge of Gender Promotion and in consultation with the UN Integrated Mission in CAR (MINUSCA) and UNDP. UN Women kicked off the campaign in Bangui collaboration with UNDP on November 28. A dialogue was also held on November 30 on youth’ engagement in prevention of GBV in collaboration with youth associations and the Network of Gender Sensitive Journalists, which was established by UN Women earlier this year with support from the Peace Building Fund (PBF). A march of women leaders from civil society organizations is scheduled to take place on December 10 and will conclude all planned activities.
For information, please contact:
Ulrich Martial SANDY
Gender and Socio-Economic Rehabilitation Officer
Tel.+236-75-32-37-00 | +236-72-36-57-87