Statements from the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Iraq (UNAMI), Mali (MINUSMA), Myanmar (UNFPA Myanmar), Somalia (UNSOM), South Sudan (UNMISS), Sudan (Darfur) (UNAMID)
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Remarks of the Senior Women Protection Advisor, Central African Republic
On 12 June, the President of the Central African Republic announced that wearing of face masks in public was compulsory and that free masks would be distributed. This is in addition to other, earlier measures, such as social distancing, the closure of schools, and hand-washing installations in public areas. That said, in absence of a visible danger, most measures are not adhered to by the population nor strictly enforced by the authorities.
How does this affect听the survivors听of Sexual and gender-based violence? While women and girls make up only 26% of the positive tested persons,听the听measures听have some negative听results.听Transport costs increased by 60 % due to restrictions of the number of persons to be carried by buses and taxis,听adding to听the challenge听to seek听medical care. The country鈥檚听weak coverage of听health听services听is further reduced, as听some听humanitarians听had to听cut down听their activities, with听their staff听being sent听into telecommuting.听Also,听survivors are reluctant to听go to听hospitals听of fear to contract the virus from other patients.
The weak health system struggles to respond to numerous听other听deadly diseases,听such as malaria, respiratory infections, and diarrhea.听In a country with poor access to water, hygiene and sanitation and听underlying conditions such as malnutrition,听care facilities,听being set up for COVID-19 response,听also need to deal with these diseases听and听provide care for听victims听of听sexual violence.
MINUSCA听and partner organizations听remain mobilized to听support听the Government to curb the spread of the virus.听Information听activities for thousands of persons on hygiene and social distancing were organized. Hundreds of community听focal points听and volunteers听were trained for听door-to-door awareness-raising.
The听general听lack of understanding听of听the pandemic听makes听communication听crucial. For example, in听Kaga听Bandoro, the听centre听of the country, MINUSCA supported听the听women听of the听national protection network for victims of sexual violence, to conduct educational sessions on the virus, and the need to continue to seek treatment for all medical issues, including the effects of rape.
MINUSCA also adapted its Community Violence Reduction听programmes, benefitting members of armed groups, community members and youth at risk:听听185听beneficiaries,听who learned听sewing听through听vocational training,听are听now听producing听face masks,听at听a听rate of听100,000 per month,听to be distributed for the local market.
The impact of the pandemic听extends听beyond听the question of听sanitation. In听April, two Presidential decrees ordered听the partial release of prisoners, to avoid the spread of the virus in congested prisons. What followed was the release of 676 prisoners, of whom several had been听convicted of rape. This poses a protection concern for the victims and witnesses who could potentially suffer from reprisals.
Lastly,听following听the Secretary-General’s call for a global ceasefire,听some armed groups听committed to respecting it. However, human rights monitoring, even though reduced due to confinement of staff, shows听that women and girls continue to be attacked and raped on their way to provide water听and听food for their families.听The risks of falling victim to sexual violence have not diminished in听this crisis, but the possibility to seek assistance and redress听has! The uncertainty of what is ahead is forcing us to stay alert and听increase听support to those that听can听reach out听to those outside the limelight, such as the national protection network.
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Remarks of the Senior Women Protection Advisor, Democratic Republic of the Congo
MONUSCO鈥檚 mandated priorities are the protection of civilians and stability. The mission is present in Kinshasa, the Kasais and the eastern, conflict-affected provinces, where we carry out a range of activities aimed at the protection of civilians, including activities to prevent and respond to conflict related sexual violence (CRSV), assist survivors and support the prosecution of perpetrators.
When cases of COVID-19 were reported in the DRC, the government took quick action to put in place measures to prevent the spread of the virus-closing the DRC鈥檚 borders, restricting travel within the country, prohibiting gatherings of more than 20 people and locking down COVID-19 hotspots.
MONUSCO鈥檚 activities linked to the protection of civilians are considered critical and, with the government鈥檚 support, we worked to continue these activities while respecting preventive measures and making sure that there was no risk that we could ourselves spread the virus.
Inevitably, though, there has been an impact on our work. We have had to postpone outreach and capacity building activities that would involve more than 20 people. And while in most places, we have continued to carry out CRSV monitoring and investigation missions, in some instances we have had to postpone important missions. For example, we have been planning a joint investigation mission to locations in South Kivu province where mass rape had been documented. This mission will support a judicial investigation, and bring much needed medical, legal and psychosocial assistance to the survivors. Initially postponed when Bukavu was placed under lockdown, it was postponed again two weeks ago after a sudden increase in COVID-19 cases there. We could not take the risk of spreading the virus but we, and our national partners, are committed to conducting the mission as soon as it is safe to do so.
We welcome the commitment of the government to the prevention of sexual violence, and to prosecuting those responsible. We also welcome the cooperation we enjoy with Madame Yelu Melop, the Presidential Adviser on Youth and Sexual Violence, who spoke earlier about ways in which COVID-19 prevention measures have affected women, and women survivors of CRSV. We echo her views.
We know that:
- In some areas, survivors of CRSV are reluctant to access medical care for fear of contracting COVID-19 or of being perceived as a carrier
- Social distancing rules mean that health centres and mobile clinics have reduced the number of patients they see, judicial clinics have reduced activities in support of survivors, organisations providing psycho-social assistance and counseling have suspended activities in some places and socio-economic reintegration activities for survivors have also been suspended.
- There have been delays in priority trials of individuals charged with crimes against humanity for sexual violence, such as the trial of former armed group commanders Sheka in Goma, and Cobra Matata in Kinshasa. Following advocacy by MONUSCO, the trial of Sheka is set to resume this week.
- Policing of COVID-19 restrictions puts women and girls at risk of CRSV. We documented a case in which a woman was raped in police detention, and another in which a woman was threatened with rape, beaten and sexually harassed by police following her arrest. Both were arrested for not respecting COVID-19 restrictions.
MONUSCO, working with our national and international partners, is adapting to find solutions to these problems and to continue to support CRSV survivors. The MARA working group provides a platform for sharing information, identifying locations where resources are most needed and mobilizing service providers for CRSV survivors. We will continue to work through the MARA and with our national partners to find solutions to the challenges presented by the pandemic and try to limit the impact of this period on the women, girls, boys and men who are at risk of, and suffer sexual violence.
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Remarks of the Senior Women Protection Advisor, Iraq
Distinguished Guests,
Each year, on听19 June,听we听commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
This year, this commemoration takes place听under unusual circumstances.听COVID-19 has changed the world as we know it and has brought tremendous suffering including the enormous loss of life.听It is therefore appropriate听to showcase the interlinkages on听鈥淭he impact of COVID-19 on survivors of conflict-related sexual violence鈥�.听
In Iraq, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an听enormous听impact on survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, many of whom are internally displaced. Survivors have been听further听impacted through the imposition of measures by Iraqi authorities in efforts to address the spread of the COVID-19.
The curfews also meant that Parliamentary business was halted affecting the progress in the enactment of laws such as the Draft听Yazidi Survivors Law听(the Bill).听The Bill calls for the qualification of the crimes committed against Yazidis as genocide per international standards, stipulates the rights of Yazidi female survivors and establishes 3 August as a national day of memorial. The Bill sets out various听reparation measures for female Yazidi survivors of captivity. The Bill also enables a forum for the issue of children born of sexual violence to be addressed.
In addition to resulting in the closure of businesses, United Nations entities and civil society organisations were forced to suspend many of their activities. The impact of the suspension of these programmes is still to be fully determined.听 Suspension of programmes also听meant that essential gender-based violence service providers were unable to听deliver听services during the period of lockdown.
The Gender-Based Violence Sub-Cluster recently published findings of a rapid-assessment on the impact of COVID-19 on gender-based violence in Iraq.听Key findings from听this听assessment paint a very grim picture of the impacts听of听COVID-19.
For example, the assessment found that听94% of respondents noted financial constraints, including lack or loss of livelihood or income;听92% of respondents noted stress from the confinement; and 73% of respondents reported that lack听of social amenities and networks听as the main reasons for reported increases of domestic violence听incidents.
Livelihoods and cash assistance were reported as the least available services for GBV survivors by听64% of respondents, followed by lack of access to legal assistance (by 53%) and safe shelter (by 43%). The听lack听of livelihoods听have听deepened听the poverty of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence as they are the most vulnerable.听United Nations agencies stepped in to provide emergency support to the most vulnerable families.
Iraqi authorities have responded positively to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Following the documented increase in domestic violence cases during the curfew, the Ministry of Interior allowed lodging of domestic violence complaints through hotlines; the Chief Justice directed all competent Courts to take necessary steps against perpetrators of domestic violence and in support of victims, particularly aiming at deterring those crimes. These are important steps in ensuring that women and girls are able to seek and to get comprehensive assistance when they need it. Additionally, the gradual easing of the movement restrictions has allowed providers of gender-based services to scale up service provision where needed.
It is essential that we collectively continue to ensure that survivors of conflict-related sexual violence are not left behind in the necessary fight against COVID-19. Special attention needs to remain focused on this vulnerable group of people to ensure that their听already harsh听circumstances are not worsened by this global pandemic.
As we commemorate this important day under听a听difficult听scenario, I听take this opportunity to salute the survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. One can only but admire their resilience, strength and determination to overcome the heinous crimes that they endured. Their听ever-positive听approach to life gives us hope that we can overcome听the scourge of听conflict-related sexual violence.
In conclusion,听I call on听all stakeholders to remain vigilant and committed to addressing the needs of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence听at all levels.
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Remarks of the Senior Women Protection Advisor, Mali
In Mali, the first case of COVID-19 detected in March 2020 triggered a governmental response plan that put an emphasis on the medical response and social measures to mitigate the spread of the pandemic. The first COVID 19 related death created increasing fear within the country and was followed by an intensification of protective measures from the government including the issuance of a nationwide curfew and limitation of working hours of all offices and businesses.
Consequently, public听and private medical, psychosocial and judicial services have been operating with very limited staff, which continues to negatively impact all women, girls, boys and men requiring these听services, including听the survivors of CRSV, hampering their possibility to report cases.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also severely affected MINUSMA, resulting in more than 200 infections, the deaths of two peacekeepers and has disrupted the mission operational and programmatic planning. An in-mission Covid-19 Task Force and response plan has been set up by the mission leadership to ensure the protection of all UN staff and the continuity of mandate delivery.
Despite the Secretary General鈥檚 call for a Global Ceasefire during COVID-19, armed groups remain very active, especially in the northern and central regions and are seeking to use the situation to expand their reach.听听This is further exacerbated as restrictive measures have considerably reduced the regular monitoring capacities of MINUSMA and other humanitarian actors, which increasingly obscures the already severely underreported number of CRSV cases.
In the northern regions where dedicated medical facilities for survivors of gender-based violence (including CRSV) were not fully operational before the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a further reduction in number of reported cases of CRSV from March to June 2020.听 As protective equipment is still not widely available, social distancing not respected and misinformation on COVID-19 prevalent, front-line workers throughout the country are extremely concerned about contracting COVID-19 while performing their duties, and as a result this has impacted their ability to provide adequate medical and psychosocial response for CRSV.
Existing CRSV criminal complaints and civil parties鈥� claims filed before the Malian courts since 2014 have so far not been processed. Fighting against impunity for CRSV cases has shown no progress during the COVID-19 pandemic as the national effort and resources were directed to the fight against COVID-19.
The overall security situation in Mali including the ongoing violence perpetrated by armed groups, coupled with the spread of COVID-19 has increased the level of CRSV being committed, while simultaneously making it more difficult to monitor, report and track the use of sexual violence by armed actors. Medical response as well as judicial support for survivors continue to be undermined by COVID-19.
MINUSMA continues to support the Malian COVID-19 response plan by providing technical and financial support to the government. Within the mission, dedicated medical facilities have been constructed to treat and isolate UN staff affected by COVID-19 and continues to implement teleworking and protection measures in order to protect staff and minimize the risk of transmission to the local community.听听Moreover, MINUSMA leadership called for all mission components to develop projects that reinforce the national response plan for COVID-19 and reallocated funds accordingly.
To support these efforts, Women Protection Advisors worked听with the MARA听technical group听to develop听analytical note听on sexual gender-based violence including听CRSV听in the context of COVID-19 outbreak.听This听note was used as a guidance for internal and external CRSV mainstreaming听and response planning.
Today, as the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is capturing the attention and efforts of the world, survivors of CRSV need the full dedication and expertise of all the stakeholders.听听In Mali, a way out would consist in:
- Supporting the action plan of the joint communique,
- Advocating for听judicial response and adoption of a law on GB
- Supporting听One-stop Center in听northern听regions
- Providing adequate staff to address CRSV.
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听Remarks of the UNFPA Focal Point, Myanmar
In听Myanmar听quarantines and other restrictions on movement听 have begun to disrupt the service provision for survivors as well as the monitoring, reporting and outreach work of UNFPA and United Nations entities mandated to gather information, verify violations and enhance compliance by both State and non-State parties with international obligations, including relevant Security Council resolutions.
There is a risk that听the needs of survivors, as well as the need to put measures in place to prevent CRSV, are not prioritized听by听both Government and non-government partners听as the focus has听shifted to听COVID-19 response.听Finalization of the Prevention of Violence听Against听Women Law has been put on hold, as has the validation of the National Action Plan to address CRSV听pursuant to the Signing of the Joint Communiqu茅 with the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in听Conflict.听Till听now听the appointment of a Senior Women Protection Advisor has not been approved by the Government.
In Myanmar the recent intensification of fighting in Rakhine and Chin states, and clashes in northern Shan and other parts of the country has led to an increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence, which is also one of the many devastating impacts of COVID-19.
In听Rakhine听and Chin听State听the recent conflict has resulted in听almost听80,000 Internally Displaced People, bringing听the total number to more than 350,000听in Myanmar.听Women, girls and boys are acutely vulnerable to sexual violence in the course of displacement or migration and are at particular risk once in听IDP camps. The potential spread of COVID-19听in听IDP settings may exacerbate the already high risk of sexual violence in such situation.
Furthermore,听internet connectivity restrictions in parts of Northern and Central听Rakhine听State limit听the reach of important primary health prevention and response advisories on COVID-19 and hampers the ability听for听GBV听survivors听to access services.
In听conflict听affected States the access for humanitarian partners is already limited.听The imposition of quarantines, curfews and other restrictions on听movement to abate the spread of COVID-19, are hampering the possibility for survivors to report sexual violence, further exacerbating the existing structural, institutional and sociocultural barriers to seeking redress for such crimes.
UNFPA response;
UNFPA in close coordination with the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, together with the MARA working group on CRSV, with support of听the Government of听Norway continues to advocate,听for the validation of the national action plan to address CRSV and strengthen partnerships with civil society organizations, which are defining in providing front-line support. UNFPA continues to invest in building capacity of local CSOs in ethical data collection to support monitoring and reporting of CRSV and, of paramount importance, how to safely scale up听their work to support听GBV听survivors.
UNFPA is helping to adapt the service provision of both government and non-government partners.听In order to address GBV in all settings, prevention听is integrated听into COVID-19 response plans;听we are听extending the reach of hotlines听through which听case management,听psychological first aid as well as GBV referrals听is provided;听key messages on GBV and mental health and psychosocial support in the context of COVID-19听are disseminated听through different channels, including mobile applications, social media听as well as through听the distribution of听Dignity Kits for IDPs and returning migrants in quarantine facilities.
In coordination with the GBV working group听referral pathways and risk-mitigation information听are updated and disseminated regularly to facilitate access to services throughout the pandemic.
Furthermore, UNFPA听works closely with UN agencies and partners to ensure听the continuity of听life-saving, multi-sectoral services for GBV survivors, including survivors of CRSV,听by providing emergency contraceptives and clinical management of rape through static and mobile clinics and听GBV response services through听community-based volunteers and Women and听Girls Centers in听conflict affected听areas. Ensuring听health and safety of both clients and service providers through听the听provision of personal protection听equipment.
To conclude we urge the Government to implement the national听action听plan to address CRSV and to enter into a joint action听plan with the UN as soon as possible.
We call upon the actors to protect vulnerable听women, girls, men and boys听鈥� to听put survivors at the听centre听of the response 鈥� and to promote accountability to end conflict related sexual violence.
Thank you.
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Remarks of the Senior Women Protection Advisor, Somalia
The Joint Communiqu茅听and the National Action Plan听鈥�
Conflict听Related听Sexual听Violence听remains a鈥痟uge听concern鈥痠n Somalia,听due to prolonged听conflict听and听gender-based inequality听rooted in the various layers of the clan-based听community. In 2019, the number of鈥痳ape cases reported鈥痓y the GBV IMS听was 744, of which听239听cases听recorded听by听the MARA as听cases of CRSV that targeted听women and girls.
Last year听through the support of the UN Funds and Programs,听some 3007 victims and survivors of CRSV received medical and health听support听and 5694 received psychological assistance听by听civil society service providers.鈥疭ervices this year are severely impacted due to the pandemic and as a听direct outcome of the COVID-19.听Somalia听is facing听an increased burden on health services and first responders, potentially increasing the risk to service providers and victims and survivors of CRSV.
The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) committed to combating sexual violence by signing听the听Joint Communiqu茅 on 7 May 2013, and听the听adoption of the National Action Plan that听was operational since 2014, up to December 2017. During the visit of the Special Representative of Secretary General on听 Sexual Violence in Conflict to Somalia in July 2019, the听FGS听renewed its commitments under the Joint Communiqu茅 and requested the United Nations to support the development of a new national action plan drawing听 on the best practices and lessons learned from implementing the NAP/SVC 2014.听The state level and the security sector consultations听that听would听lead up to the development of the new NAP听were suspended听this year in听April due听to COVID-19.
Examples of working through our partners on the ground and ensuring that we maintain all the safety protocols.听Any examples of finding innovative ways to continue providing support to victims/survivors and women and girls in general in communities or camps/Impact on monitoring, reporting, access and timely information as a basis for remedial action
However, my听team听together with various mission components and UN agencies are engaged听on prevention and response of CRSV.听My team has ensured that CRSV concerns are integrated in the mission鈥檚 emergency plan as priority areas, which includes monitoring鈥痑nd reporting of cases of CRSV and coordinate the response and provision of technical assistance to strengthen the response of the government and the Civil society partners.
There听have been听number of cases听reported through MARA听this year, including a case of gang rape of听two young girls that attracted听outrage of the population and the attention of the UN at the highest level.听Other CRSV听cases, including gang rape听were reported and verified through a newly established taskforce that composed of听the Attorney General Office,听a听civil society organization听鈥撎齋omali Women听Development Center and the听Office of the听Women Protection Team听at UN听Assistance Mission to Somalia.听The task force meets regularly through virtual means since last听April to听follow up on reported cases and to听ensure provision of medical and legal support to victims/survivors.
It is encouraging to see听the leadership of the Attorney General听which is听key听to push for justice measures听in relation to SGBV and CRSV cases. The Attorney听General听has听publicly denounced the mediation of sexual crimes cases by the traditional elders.听My team is also providing direct support to the听emergency plan听of the听Ministry of Women听and Human Rights Development, including听on听training and capacity building, awareness raising and inter-ministerial听coordination.
Impact on rule of law and accountability for sexual violence听
On听the rule of law,听COVID-19 has had a detrimental impact including听access to justice,鈥痜or example, Somalia鈥檚 Attorney-General鈥檚 Office has said that the suspension of court work during the pandemic has resulted in zero convictions for sexual crimes since听April听2020.
In addition to the inadequacy of the legal framework to hold perpetrators to account, noting that rape听 is classified as a 鈥渃rime against morality鈥� under the current Penal Code, while the Sexual Offences Bill has been returned by the parliament to the Cabinet last February as a result of the pressure of traditional and religious leaders and yet to be revised and sent back to听the听parliament, a plan that has been听further听suspended in the context of COVID-19 emergency听and听the recession听of the parliament.听If enacted, the Sexual听Offences听Bill听will create a robust and survivor-centered听legal framework, in line with听SCR听2467 (2019).
Exacerbation of harmful practices such as forced and child marriage听
Lastly,听I would like to highlight听the听recent Health and Demographic Survey of Somalia听that听indicated that听the emergency situation exacerbates听the听gender-based violence, including early marriage,听notably听as鈥痠t constitutes an additional source of income during difficult听economic听times听to the midwives or traditional practitioners.听Girls听are not听going to schools and听the听holidays season is鈥痯referred time听for this practice to take place, also fears regarding鈥痶he future promote this practice as it is seen culturally important for the dignity of the girls and the family as well.
Recommendations
Key recommendation that听听would be听of听great value to听push forward听Somalia鈥檚听efforts to eliminate sexual violence in conflict听is the enactment of the Sexual Offences Bill听 and听providing听support听to听听the听justice sector听to ensure accountability and justice, including听听 allocation of additional听 resources to meet the听 growing needs听听of听victims and听survivors during this time of emergency.听 It is equally important to support the FGS efforts led by the Ministry of Women and Human听Rights Development听in听implementing听the Joint Communiqu茅 and developing the new national action plan.
I thank you听for listening.
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Remarks of Senior Women Protection Advisor, South Sudan
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to thank the organizers for giving me this opportunity to talk about impact of COVID-19 on CRSV survivors in South Sudan.
South Sudan became independent in 2011 and civil war erupted in 2013. Since 2013, the country has not seen meaningful peace but only cycles of violence and sexual violence has become one of the most used tool of this conflict It has reached to a level that it is almost become normal.
South Sudan lacks basic health infrastructure. Just to give you an idea, as per WHO guidelines, there should be at听least two functioning health facilities per 10.000 people, however a recent UNMISS/OHCHR report found that there is barely one facility per ten thousand in CRSV hotspots. How well functioning that facility is, is another听question.听听Almost 75% o population in these areas lives more than 5 km away from health facility, making it听really difficult听for survivors to access them. Stigma also plays a huge role in discouraging survivors from seeking medical care.
Government of South Sudan only spends 1.2% of its national budget on entire health sector while spending nearly 40% on security related issues.听Sexual and reproductive healthcare receives literally nothing from national budget as there are other major health like Malaria etc. Entire health sector is outsourced to international organization who are trying their best, but they cannot be expected to replace the state.
This was听the situation before COVID-19 pandemic. Now let us try to see what it looks like during pandemic. Restrictions on freedom of movement that are put in pace are adversely affecting the most vulnerable. South Sudan has received significant support from donor community to respond to听COVID-19 but there is little consideration for sexual and reproductive health in this response.听Some key donors have put explicit restrictions on sexual and reproductive health which complicates it further.听Number of health workers that was already low has become even more challenging given the risks to health workers. INGO鈥檚 have also reduced footprint while trying to keep essential services running for staff safety.
Despite global calls of ceasefire, fighting continues in South Sudan, namely in听Cental听Equatoria听between government forces and a non-signatory group NAS and in Jonglei state between different tribes who have been abducting women and girls to settle scores since February until now and giving them in forced marriages.
We are already receiving reports of low level of women including survivors accessing medical facilities due to fear of infection and lack of services while fighting continues in several parts of the country and we receive reports of large-scale abductions and likelihood of sexual violence.
UNMISS continues to find ways to device new ways of working in this new context. We have found it effective to work with听community-based听groups and听faith-based听groups who are present in the communities. Providing support to these groups has helped reaching most vulnerable especially sexual violence survivors. They are the first respondents in this situation.听With听help from OSRSG-SVC we were able to provide support to few such groups and continue to find support for them.听UNFPA has launched a helpline and we all work to find ways for remote听psychosocial听support and guidance for women and girls.
UNMISS has strong communication network including most heard radio station which is also being used to do messaging to survivors and victims. We try to deploy peacekeepers quickly based on early warning to try to protect civilians especially women.听However,听pandemic has allowed the government to come up听with more permissions and听clearances听for our forces to move which sometimes does not allow quick deployments.
I would like to make two appeals using this opportunity that I have to speak with you today
-To advocate with South Sudanese parties to conflict to adhere to听call for global ceasefire. They must stop fighting otherwise it will not be possible to protect civilians and especially women and girls and to provide necessary services
Secondly,听I urge all donors to not make any conditions to the support they are generously providing. Sexual and reproductive health is crucial in a context like South Sudan, especially for survivors of sexual violence. I urge member states to continue to support initiatives for sexual violence survivors. COVID-19 is the biggest problem that we are faced with today but is not the only one.
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Remarks of Senior Women Protection Advisor, Sudan (Darfur)
Distinguished Guests,
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reached Darfur, the area of responsibility of the peacekeeping mission UNAMID, in mid-March 2020.听听The Darfur region has not been spared in terms of the negative impact that the rapid spread of the disease has had across the world so far, such as reduced service delivery to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence occasioned by lockdowns and movement restrictions to humanitarian actors and local service providers.
Directives from the Transitional Government of Sudan and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, restricting large gatherings and calling for social distancing, have severely impacted monitoring and reporting of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) incidents. Similarly, prevention of COVID-19 spread and transmission directives reduced survivors鈥� access to the already limited medical and psychosocial support services. COVID-19 prevention guidelines had other unintended effects such as the limitations in movement of human rights monitors. In the Greater Jebel Mara (GJM) area of Darfur, severely affected by conflict dynamics, the reporting of incidents was significantly affected due to reduced UNAMID patrols and restricted face-to-face interaction with local communities.
Another challenge that we have seen in the midst of the pandemic is the impending drawdown of UNAMID and reduced availability of staff members, resulting in heavier workloads for fewer staff and shorter timeframes. The spread and transmission of COVID-19 in Sudan has been marked by a finger-pointing and blame shifting discussion.听 In Darfur, the international peacekeeping staff were not spared. In March 2020, the Government of Sudan accused UNAMID staff of spreading COVID-19 among local communities in South Darfur State. As a result, the State Government declared a complete lock down of some Team sites (Kass Team site (28 days) and Shangil Tobaya (three days).听 The full lockdown of team sites affected the mission鈥檚 efforts to reach out to the survivors of CRSV and implement prevention strategies.听听Furthermore, planned public advocacy and capacity building workshops by the Human Rights Section and Women Protection Advisors aimed at sensitizing communities on CRSV and empower survivors in the Jebel Marra area, had to be cancelled.
The current restrictions forced UNAMID to re-allocate funds earmarked for capacity building and advocacy to end CRSV in the Darfur States to the protection and prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in certain communities.听听The WPAs utilized these funds to provide support to vulnerable women through the Women Protection Network (WPN) who were encouraged to identify women and girls鈥� survivors of CRSV in need of dignity kits, including elements for menstrual hygiene. In addition, jerrycans for handwashing were also installed in women centers and places where women frequently access during their daily livelihoods. All IDP camps in Zalingei area and some of the hotspot areas of Golo, Nertiti and Sortony benefitted from this initiative.
On a positive note, one significant achievement was made in efforts to combat CRSV in Sudan.听 The long-awaited Framework of Cooperation (FOC) between the Government of Sudan and the United Nations to prevent and combat CRSV, pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions 1960 (2010) and 2467 (2019), was signed on 10 March 2020. The FOC prioritizes actions in critical areas such as supporting legislation to strengthen protection from sexual violence in conflict; ensuring comprehensive services to survivors; and engaging with Sudanese justice and security actors to enhance capacity for the investigation and prosecution of crimes of sexual violence in conflict.听听The signing of the FOC is a clear sign of a renewed political will of the Sudanese authorities to address CRSV in the frame of the current political transition and constitutes also a key achievement for the survivors of CRSV and women in Sudan, particularly those living in conflict-prone areas.
The signing of the FOC took place in New York because of COVID-19 challenges.听听The FOC has not been officially launched in the Sudan because of听the current听travel bans and flight restrictions.听 The pandemic听will certainly have impacts听on听its implementation, now three months鈥櫶齮ime of its signature. The听implementation of the framework听will听greatly enhance protection听and prevention听from sexual violence in conflict for听survivors and听women, girls, boys and men听at risk听and听will support that perpetrators are held accountable for CRSV crimes.
The听FOC听still needs to be听disseminated听and听efforts to engage in advocacy and awareness-raising to highlight key issues covered by the FOC to uniformed personnel such as SAF and RSF听are critical.
On another positive note, the month of March 2020 was a significant month for the Sudanese women.听 The听long-awaited听adoption of the National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of SCR 1325 (2000)听on Women, Peace and Security was endorsed by the Council of Ministers on 10 March 2020.听The NAP and the FOC are interlinked and complement each听other, however听the听development of an implementation听plan听for the听FOC听by different stakeholders focusing听on prevention听and response to sexual violence in conflict听remains as a critical task in order to not lose track.
In conclusion, a recent assessment by SIHA observed that, women in Darfur and survivors of CRSV would experience worse gender inequalities based on the pre-existing exclusion and discrimination worsened by the pandemic. Therefore, COVID-19鈥檚 adverse effects on women requires a specialized response that recognizes and addresses their rights, their medical and social needs and promotes their leadership in the response. An overload of medical systems due to COVID-19 would entail that survivors of CRSV may not be able to receive the needed medical services they require since focus and attention has shifted to COVID-19 pandemic.
Thank you.听
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