Combatting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) FY 2004

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."

Although the aforementioned language was not included in the FY2004-2005 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 FY2003, funding totaled $2,028,014; in FY2004, funding totaled $2,536,722.

PRM-supported Programs under the GBV funding line ^[1]

Organization	Country	Project	Amount
Africare	Namibia	To improve the management of GBV in Osire settlement through awareness raising and strengthening existing prevention, coordination, and case management mechanisms.	$56,206
American Refugee Committee (ARC)	Thailand	ARC plans to build on its current initiative to create a safer environment for refugee women and children by raising awareness and providing access to GBV support services (including mental health counseling).	$206,907
ARC	West Africa	To create a cross-border GBV referral network for Liberian refugee women that will promote their safe and timely repatriation and seek to ensure the continuity of GBV protection across the axis of return.	$296,839
CARE	Kenya	To integrate prevention of GBV and female genital cutting (FGC) activities into CARE’s ongoing multisectoral work in Dadaab and surrounding communities, especially behavior related to risks of transmission of HIV. This project also aims to integrate an analysis and dialogue about gender and gender norms among refugees living in Dadaab and residents of surrounding communities.	$132,142
CARE	North Caucasus	To conduct qualitative and quantitative research on GBV utilizing a community-based approach and defining GBV as it relates to Chechen society, initiate awareness-raising, and provide confidential and trained community-based counseling services for those who have experienced or have perpetrated one or more forms of GBV.	$250,000
International Medical Corps (IMC)	Uganda	To continue its GBV prevention and response activities in Kyangwali, Oruchinga and Nakivale refugee settlements, where there is poor community response to GBV and inadequate service provision to GBV survivors.	$269,980
International Rescue Committee (IRC)	Kenya	This project seeks to increase, or where necessary, develop the capacity of all participants in the Kenya refugee program to quickly, effectively, and humanely respond to cases of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and to mainstream the prevention of SEA into all programmatic and operational sectors in the Kenya refugee program.	$255,446
IRC	Thailand	To improve and expand community-based services addressing GBV among the Karenni refugee population in Mae Hong Son Province.	$286,260
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.	$206,575
JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc.	Global	The project provides targeted, tailor-made technical support for GBV and sexual exploitation, including assessments, training, facilitated interagency planning and program development, hands-on technical assistance, and information dissemination.	$246,367
UNHCR	Global	The project will facilitate development of standard protocols and operating procedures with regard to GBV and sexual exploitation programs, ensure targeted capacity-building and skills enhancement, and expand on the organizational learning base using established M&E reporting tools.	$330,000
TOTAL				$2,536,722