PRM Response to the Congressional Earmark: Combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) FY 2003

Background

The conference report^* on PRM 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.”

Although the aforementioned language was not included in the FY2003-2004 authorization, we believe that the continuation of this special initiative is important. Even after they have become refugees, many women and girls remain at risk of abuse. They are exposed to violence at every stage of their flight; sexual violence, including rape and exploitation, is one of the most terrible dangers confronting them. PRM's objectives are to work towards the improved protection of refugee women and girls and to ensure that their needs and concerns are supported and mainstreamed into all humanitarian programs. Response to this initiative by the international community has been extremely positive. Although GBV is not a new problem, the initiative continues to be a catalyst for increasing the focus, dialogue, research, and response by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations (IOs).

In FY2002, PRM programmed $2,052,244 for GBV projects; in FY2003, funding totaled $2,028,014.

^*  The product of a temporary joint committee formed for the purpose of resolving differences between the Senate and House on a measure.

PRM-supported Programs under the GBV funding line¹

Organization	Country	Project	Amount
Africare	Tanzania	To provide effective, personalized psychosocial, legal and material support to survivors. This project will also further enhance the inclusion of both Tanzanian and Burundian men in the protection of women.	$48,243
American Refugee Committee (ARC)	Guinea	Building on the initial success, ARC will evaluate the work of a free legal aid clinic that provides refugee women and children in N’Zerekore with access to the legal system of Guinea and replicate improved legal aid services for the Albadariah camp and Kissidougou town refugees.	$190,410
CARE	Kenya	To enable CARE Kenya to expand on the ongoing GBV and female genital cutting (FGC) activities in Dadaab refugee camps.	$65,117
CARE	Eritrea	To contribute to the prevention of gender-based violence within returnee communities in the Gash Barka Zone of Eritrea.	$371,302
International Medical Corps (IMC)	Uganda	This project is an inter-agency effort that will provide an opportunity for the community to become mobilized, raising awareness and strength of social support systems as well as safety networks.	$259,887
International Rescue Committee (IRC)	Liberia	To minimize the consequences of GBV among survivors, as well as reduce neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality through the provision of comprehensive mental, physical, reproductive, and social care.	$251,177
IRC/Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children	Lebanon	To enhance local NGO’s (Najdeh) efforts to reduce domestic violence through information campaigns, skills-building, counseling services, and access to legal aid.	$70,510
IRC/Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children	Global	To improve international and local capacity to prevent and respond to GBV in conflict-affected settings, and increase local and international awareness of the nature and scope of GBV among refugees and IDPs.	$206,533
JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc.	Global	In close collaboration with UNHCR, UNICEF, and others, the project proposes to provide a range of technical assistance to country programs, individual field sites, and regional efforts.	$292,666
Lutheran World Relief	Kenya	To raise awareness about and reduce incidences of SGBV in Kakuma Camp through community workshops and training in order to sensitize refugees and camp staff members, support survivors of SGBV, and increase awareness on refugee protection and human rights.	$22,169
UNHCR	Global	1) To ensure operationalization and effective mainstreaming of the approaches and strategies outlined in the GBV Guidelines; 2) To ensure the design and adaptation of tools and resources for promoting GBV prevention; 3) To build and expand the organizational learning base for GBV prevention and response activities.	$250,000

TOTAL

$2,028,014

¹ PRM is also funding projects in: Eritrea with IMC; Ethiopia with IRC; Zambia with CARE; Angola with IMC; Tanzania with IRC, Africare and Norwegian People's Aid (NPA); Sierra Leone with ARC and IRC; Guinea with ARC and IRC, which also have an integrated GBV component.