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Preventing gender-based violence

Gender inequality and violence against women affect the lives of every person, regardless of age or gender. Peacekeepers must be aware of and on guard against gender-based violence. Here are some resources to help.

Preventing sexual exploitation and abuse: Information for Focal Points

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have published a manual for Focal Points on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. United Nations personnel and their partner organizations have a duty to perform their responsibilities in a manner that is fully consistent with the fundamental principles of human dignity and human rights. The manual covers the roles and responsibilities of Focal Points and equips Focal Points with the knowledge and skills required to fulfil these responsibilities. You can read the manual here:

Inter-Agency Training for Focal Points on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN Personnel and Partners (PDF, 353 KiB)

Awareness-raising film: To Serve with Pride

This short film, To Serve with Pride: Zero Tolerance for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, is about sexual exploitation by United Nations peacekeepers. It was developed by the ECHA/ECPS UN and NGO Task Force on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. View it online here:

When showing this film to a group, you can use the Facilitator's Guide (PDF, 154 KiB) to shape the subsequent discussion and make the film part of a larger programme on preventing sexual abuse.

Documentary film: Women in an Insecure World

Women in an Insecure World is a documentary film produced by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF). It shows in several portraits how women and girls all over the world suffer from violence. You can view a short (four-minute) introduction to the film here:

For the complete film, please contact the Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces.