PRM Response to the Congressional Earmark: Combating Sexual And Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) FY 2001

Background
The conference report on our authorization for FY 2000-2001 included an earmark of $1,000,000 for an "International Rape Counseling Program" -- of the amounts authorized to be appropriated in paragraph (1), $1,000,000 for the fiscal year 2000 and $1,000,000 for the fiscal year 2001 are authorized to be appropriated for a program of counseling for female victims of rape and gender violence in times of conflict and war. It was agreed with Congress that the criteria could be broadened to include a wider range of programs for the prevention and treatment of sexual and gender-based violence.

The House authorization report language pertaining to the earmark states: "Where local expertise is unavailable, the rape counseling provided for in this provision should be provided through international organizations, U.S.-based non-governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, or health organizations and should be culturally appropriate and could be part of a comprehensive program of assistance aimed at reintegrating these women into their communities or resettling them elsewhere as appropriate."

The conflicts in Kosovo and Sierra Leone have shown once again that gender-based violence is a major component of armed conflict. Even after they have become refugees, many women and girls remain at risk of abuse. Refugee women are exposed to violence at every stage of their flight. Sexual violence, including rape, is one of the most terrible dangers confronting refugee women and girls. PRM's objectives are to work toward the improved protection of refugee women and girls and to ensure that refugee women and girls' needs and concerns are supported and mainstreamed into all humanitarian programs.

In FY 2000, the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration programmed $1,681,874 for SGBV projects. In FY 2001, funding increased to $2,514,289.

PRM-supported Programs Meeting the Earmark Language in FY 2001

 

Organization	Country	Project	Amount
CARE International	Eritrea	Increase awareness of SGBV* issues with both men and women in the refugee returnee communities	$266,441
Care International	Zambia	To decrease SGBV among refugees, to ensure an appropriate response when it does occur and to establish a monitoring and evaluation system for SGBV cases. Funds will be used primarily for Mwange and Nangweshi refugee camps	$171,450
International Medical Corps	Sierra Leone, Angola, Burundi, Eritrea	To contribute to the reduction of SGBV among refugee and IDP populations by increasing knowledge of SGBV among international and national staff; build the capacity of staff to respond to the needs of SGBV survivors; raise awareness of SGBV as a crime against humanity; strengthen multi-sectoral approach to the response and prevention of SGBV	$277,500
International Rescue Committee	East Timor	Support community members to examine the effects of SGBV in their lives and identify strategies to prevent and respond to acts of violence. Provide appropriate and relevant materials; create and identify opportunities that cultivate necessary skills to affect change; facilitate data collection to inform communities, policymakers and programs	$187,311
International Rescue Committee	Guinea	Community-focused education campaign that seeks to improve understanding of SGBV issues, while developing the capacities of refugee and Guinean communities to initiate their own prevention and response activities to SGBV problems that they have identified	$200,000
International Rescue Committee	Kosovo	Improve the health, well-being and status of Kosovar women and girls by responding to their practical needs as survivors of violence in the Pec/Peja region; and by protecting and advocating for their rights and interests as citizens of Kosovo	$98,250
International Rescue Committee	Liberia	Enhance community awareness of SGBV and support SGBV victims through counseling, workshops and public awareness, so that the incidence and effects of SGBV are reduced	$72,771
International Rescue Committee	Republic of Congo	Increase awareness of SGBV amongst people of reproductive age in refugee and local populations; reduce the rate of SGBV, STDs and prostitution by developing drop-in centers and create an integrated information and action plan; improve the medical, psychosocial and legal care of female victims of sexual violence	$159,351
International Rescue Committee	Sierra Leone	Continue to improve the mental, physical and social well-being of SGBV survivors; enhance the use of community support systems to reduce the incidence of cases by awareness campaign, legal advocacy and strengthening the capacity of a local NGO	$251,641
John Snow, Inc.	Global	Provide SGBV technical assistance to UN agencies, international and local NGOs and host governments in a variety of countries, with the goal of improving SGBV prevention and response among war-affected populations	$232,700
Norweigan People's Aid	Western Tanzania	Reduce incidences of SGBV through raising awareness of refugees on SGBV issues; establish a system of early reporting and intervention of SGBV in Kitali camp; continue building awareness of gender rights in the refugee community; avail counseling and support services to survivors of SGBV	$55,627
Reproductive Health for Refugees Consortium/IRC	Global	Improve international and local capacity to respond to SGBV through international reference materials, data collection and analysis, assessment tools and counseling skills training. Conduct global review; develop multi-sectoral assessment tool; increase awareness, sensitivity and appropriate responses to survivors through training of service providers and others	$241,340
UNICEF	Somalia	To help to erradicate FGM in the country through counseling and peer-counseling, increasing public knowledge and awareness of FGM, to strengthen the capacity of the affected women and men to cope with their situation	$99,907
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees	Angola	Undertake a comprehensive needs and resource assessment and gender analysis; upgrade health and social services, referral systems, and legal counseling to attend to the needs of SGBV survivors; establish counseling and support groups for abusers; assure an ample legislative base for the strategies needed to protect the population from SGBV; raise awareness of the need for behavior change; strengthen community mechanisms for prevent and respond to SGBV	$200,000
TOTAL			$2,514,289

*Sexual and gender-based violence