Johanniter International Assistance’s Post

A new report from our partner, VOICE, finds that women displaced from Ukraine face increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV) in Moldova and Romania, highlighting difficulties faced by those fleeing Ukraine’s war. Some key findings include: - There are still gaps in sharing information on humanitarian protection and services for refugee women in Moldova - Providing support for mental health is a priority to help women experiencing depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder - Refugee women are now expected to act as head of the family and sole provider of income, which brings higher risks of GBV Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gzkNB_mh

Wow.. This is news I didn't expect. For the first time, I find myself wishing I could vote for someone—and even openly support them—not merely voting out of spite. >> Denis Mukwege is officially candidate for the presidency in DRC: https://lnkd.in/eyDiTC3V He has the potential (and especially the willigness) to truly make a change. I mention this in my upcoming book; in South Kivu in Eastern Congo, women have been the victims of sexual abuses and violence conducted by men belonging to small local guerrillas and by the military and police officers supposed to protect the local populations. They are raped and violently tortured, including, for instance, having their vaginas penetrated with objects such as wood, glass, or guns. It is estimated that at least 40% of the women in Kivu have been raped at least once in their lifetime, and more than 72% reported that they were tortured during the rape. >> Some scientific references for those willing to know more: - Schmitt, S., Robjant, K., Elbert, T. & Koebach, A. To add insult to injury: Stigmatization reinforces the trauma of rape survivors – Findings from the DR Congo. SSM - Population Health 13, 100719 (2021). - Mukwege, D. M. & Nangini, C. Rape with Extreme Violence: The New Pathology in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. PLOS Medicine 6, e1000204 (2009). I sincerely hope that someone like him, who may not have the background of a traditional politician but possesses deep humanitarian values, can bring about change. #NobelPeacePrize #Change #ViolenceAgainstWomen

Humanitarian actors in #Haiti raise alarm at the level of #sexualviolence and other forms of gender based violence targetted against predominantly women and girls, with numbers of victims and survivors in March 2024 being five (5) times more than in January. Most of the victims/survivors are displaced as a consequence of the ongoing gang armed violence. Despite this trend of sexual violence against women and girls, there is meagre funding to provide assistance to survivors, let alone any prevention initiatives. More protection, more funding, and more urgent actions from decision makers are needed. USAID - Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada United Nations CARE Concern Worldwide The Haitian Women's Collective Women's Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) Global Fund for Women UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) #endGBV #stopviolenceagainstwomen #WPS https://lnkd.in/gGtMzWqn

The first Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (#VACS) conducted exclusively in a humanitarian setting, specifically among refugees in #Uganda, provides data on the prevalence and impact of violence against children and youth in these contexts. The study reveals high levels of sexual, physical, and emotional violence, in refugee settings, with females being more likely than males to experience sexual violence and males being more likely than females to experience physical violence. VAC perpetrators were often individuals known by the survivors, and although many children and youth knew where to seek help, disclosure and help-seeking were low for both genders. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive survey data to inform efforts to address violence against children in humanitarian settings. 🔗Read more at https://lnkd.in/dCf-yXsn cc: Population Council

On 19 June 2015, the UN General Assembly designated this date as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict to raise awareness, honour victims and survivors, and recognise those fighting to end these crimes. Women and girls, disproportionately affected by conflict, suffer immensely from sexual violence. Conflict-related sexual violence includes rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, and other severe abuses. Despite being a war crime, perpetrators often face no consequences. Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative's Together We Can (TWC) project supports women and girls in Kaduna State, Nigeria, offering mental health, psychosocial support, and economic empowerment to build resilience and reduce violence. Find out more here. https://lnkd.in/dsikx3ad Ending sexual violence in conflict is our collective responsibility. UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) UN Women #endsexualassault #endsexualviolence

The Democratic Republic of Congo has faced relentless conflict for almost three decades. The ongoing clashes between armed groups, widespread human rights violations, and devasting incidents of gender-based violence have displaced 6.9 million people with many now living in makeshift camps.   Insecurity in the eastern provinces has escalated since March 2022, leading to an exponential rise in humanitarian needs, especially needs stemming from incidents of sexual violence. A recent European Commission video sheds life on the harsh reality of life in these camps. Many are struggling daily to survive. We must support local organisations in this prolonged crisis often overlooked by the rest of the world. That is why we've recently partnered with UGEAFI RDC, a local organisation native to South Kivu. They're providing essential healthcare services for women and children and supporting basic income generation activities including microgrants promoting social cohesion in Rusayo-2, one of the largest displaced persons camps.

Day 3 #csw68 #uncommission on the Status of Women. War on Gaza: impact on Palestinian women and children The event aims to support the rights of Palestinian women, shedding light of their situation under occupation and specifically the impact of the war in Gaza on Palestinian women and children. The Israeli aggression, which has resulted in the destruction of over 60% of homes and other civilian structures, has displaced more than 1.9 million people — 85 per cent of the total population of Gaza. Nearly 1 million women and girls are among those affected, according to UN WOMEN. Women, children and newborns in Gaza are disproportionately bearing the burden of the conflict, both as casualties and in severely reduced access to food, water, health and sanitation services, as reported by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). More than 8,000 women have been killed in Israeli attacks and, according to UN Agencies, at least 3,000 women may have become new widows or women heads of household and at least 10,000 children may have lost their fathers, lost a parent and the income-earner of their family and leaving them more vulnerable to poverty. A new acronym, "WCNSF" – "wounded child, no surviving family" describes the tragedy of Palestinian children and the impact on the entire population in Gaza. #unwomenuk