Better protecting women
Women and girls face a high risk of violence in emergency situations. Germany takes this into account in its humanitarian assistance.
She was unconscious when she was admitted to hospital: Amina, an 18-year-old Somali woman, had been severely abused by her husband, suffering broken bones and several stab wounds in the process. Doctors were able to treat her at a one-stop centre run by UNICEF. Besides having her physical injuries treated, Amina also received psychological support from UNICEF and found refuge in a safe house.
Involving women in crisis prevention and peacebuilding
Amina’s story is just one of many. Time and again, women and girls become the victims of gender-based violence – above all in crises and conflicts. That’s why Germany, in its foreign policy guidelines, has stipulated thathumanitarian assistance must be implemented in a gender-sensitive way 100 percent of the time. To this end, the Federal Foreign Office involves women and marginalised groups in its crisis prevention, stabilisation and peacebuilding measures. Including in the Horn of Africa.
In the northeast of Africa, the Federal Foreign Office supports organisations that help women and girls affected and displaced by conflicts, often with life-saving measures. UNICEF plays a central role in this. For example, the Federal Foreign Office is providing 15 million euros to support a UNICEF project in Somalia and Ethiopia that assists the victims of sexualised violence.
Promoting local partnerships
Partnerships with local organisations are vital if such projects are to reach endangered women. For this reason, UNICEF is working with organisations in the region that are specialised in women’s rights and fighting gender-based violence. Alongside concrete measures being implemented by UNICEF, Germany is also supporting eight local women’s organisations that offer psychosocial services and medical assistance on the ground. In Ethiopia and Somalia, more than 3,000 women and girls have already received physical and psychological help as a result.
As well as supporting victims, prevention plays an important role. That is why UNICEF organises campaigns to raise awareness about gender-based violence - these are publicised via radio announcements and advice centres in Somalia.
What Germany does to help – find out more here.
