5. Sexual violence is increasing in conflict-affected countries
In Sudan, 6.7 million people are at risk of gender-based violence (GBV), while 3.5 million women and girls need reproductive health-care services. Conflict-related sexual violence is now a gruesome hallmark of the conflict, including alarming reports of rape, forced marriage and sexual exploitation affecting women and girls of all ages. The number of children born out of rape is surging – as are suicide rates among survivors. The situation is exacerbated by people’s lack of access to GBV and emergency health-care services.
Sexual violence in DRC escalated sharply, with more than 61,000 cases reported in the first six months of this year – 11 per cent higher compared to the same period last year. At least 123,000 GBV cases were reported in 2023, with about 90 per cent of the survivors being women and girls. But given the significant underreporting of GBV, the real number of cases is presumably far higher.
The UN is scaling up its response and advocacy, focusing on the countries where sexual violence is rampant. This includes bringing the issue of sexual violence to the forefront and advocating for legal protection while creating a conducive environment to report GBV cases. The UN is also coordinating with Governments, civil society and partners to provide survivors with clinical health services, dignity kits, psychosocial support and safe spaces to access care and protection.
In Sudan, the United Nations Population Fund is leading the coordination of GBV prevention and response in 14 states through GBV Working Groups. More than 200,000 people received life-saving GBV response, psychosocial support, awareness and material assistance as well as referrals to appropriate services. Using the community-based structure, communities have received information sessions on GBV-related topics, including the referral system.
Source link : https://www.unocha.org/news/5-things-you-need-know-about-humanitarian-crises-southern-and-eastern-africa
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Publish date : 2024-08-31 07:00:00
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