icrc-annual-report-2013

ANNEX 2:THE ICRC’S OPERATIONAL APPROACH TO WOMEN AND GIRLSBackground and approach ···························· 34Women and girls in ICRC programmes,by target population ····························· 35Civilians ·············································· 35People deprived of their freedom ························· 37Wounded and sick ····································· 38Actors of influence ···································· 38Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement··················· 38BACKGROUND AND APPROACHOwing to its unique mandate as a neutral, impartial andindependent organization, the ICRC implements an “allvictims” approach aimed at protecting the life and dignity of victimsof armed conflict and other situations of violence and providingthem with assistance. Within this approach, the ICRCacknowledges that women’s experience of armed conflict ismultifaceted (separation, loss of loved ones, loss of sources oflivelihood and coping mechanisms, increased risks of sexualviolence, greater responsibility for dependents, wounding,detention, even death) and often differs from that of men, boys andgirls. The ICRC approaches gender 1 as a means of fostering a betterunderstanding of the respective social and cultural roles of men,women, boys and girls (such as division of labour, productive andreproductive activities, access to and control over resources andbenefits) and of the social and economic factors influencing them. Itendeavours thereby to obtain a more sensitive and holistic grasp ofthe roles, responsibilities and experiences of each of these groups ineach context, and therefore to provide a more adequate response totheir needs in times of conflict. Understanding gender-related issuesallows the ICRC to: identify who has assumed the roles of thosewho are absent (detained, missing, fighting, or killed); assesswhether by assuming such roles they are in a situation of vulnerability;and support and build on their resilience and positivecoping mechanisms through its protection and assistanceprogrammes. It also enables the ICRC to identify, in differentsocial and cultural contexts, impediments to the conductof protection and assistance activities specifically related towomen and girls and thus to develop alternative responses that effectivelymeet their needs.Often, women and children are placed in the same category of vulnerability.Such hasty categorization overlooks the fact that women’sneeds, experiences and roles in armed conflict and other situationsof violence differ from those of children. Women often display remarkablestrength, as evidenced by the part they play as combatantsor agents for peace, or by the roles they assume in armed conflict toprotect and support their families. The relevant question is not whois more vulnerable but rather who is vulnerable to what particularrisks (which are context-related and depend on individual circumstances,resources and available coping mechanisms). Differentgroups face different factors of vulnerability and it is an oversim-1. “The term “gender” refers to the culturally expected behaviour of men and women basedon roles, attitudes and values ascribed to them on the basis of their sex, whereas the term“sex” refers to biological and physical characteristics. Gender roles vary widely within andbetween cultures, and depend on the particular social, economic and political context.”Addressing the needs of women affected by armed conflict: an ICRC guidance document, p.7plification to categorize men as active (combatants) and womenas passive (victims). Armed conflict can precipitate changesin culturally determined roles, and women often have toassume the role of principal breadwinner for their family or mayengage in the conflict as fighters or combatants. While womenare not inherently vulnerable, they often face heightened risks inconflict situations.The ICRC’s main objective is therefore to ensure that the needs,situations and perspectives of women and girls are integratedinto all activities and programmes, and that programmes are developedwhen necessary to respond adequately to their specific social,medical, psychological, economic and protection needs. 2Recognizing that armed conflicts have a different impact onmen, women, boys, girls and the elderly, and that the needsof women are often overlooked, the ICRC pledged in 1999 tobetter assess and address the needs of women and girls, and topromote the respect to which they are entitled, with a specificfocus on situations involving sexual violence. It launched afour-year “Women and War” project (from 1999 to 2003), duringwhich it conducted an in-depth study of the impact on womenof armed conflict or other situations of violence, focusing onissues such as physical safety, sexual violence, displacement,access to health care and hygiene, food, water and shelter,and the problem of missing relatives and its repercussionson survivors.The ICRC then produced Addressing the needs of women affectedby armed conflict: an ICRC guidance document to translatethe study’s findings into practical guidelines for staff involvedin the planning and implementation of humanitarian programmes.At the end of the four years, the ICRC renewed itscommitment to the issue by appointing a focal point – a Womenand War adviser – to monitor and support the operationalimplementation of the study’s findings and recommendations.In armed conflict and other situations of violence, sexualviolence is a widespread phenomenon that affects mostly womenand girls. Sexual violence is also perpetrated against menand boys; depending on the context, men may be specificallyvulnerable to sexual violence, for example in situations ofdetention. The overall consequences are serious, and given that thestigma associated with sexual violence may prevent victims fromcoming forward, the true extent of the problem is often concealed.It affects not only the victims, but also their families, and oftenentire communities. The ICRC takes a multidisciplinary approachto the issue of sexual violence, encompassing preventive action,awareness-raising activities and protection strategies aimed ataddressing the causes and consequences of sexual violence whileproviding victims with timely medical and psychological support.Given the many challenges of responding to such a complexand sensitive subject, the ICRC continuously seeks to improvethe quality and reach of its response in a manner that is adaptedto the context and to the affected people’s needs. Thus, with2. Recognizing that armed conflict has an impact on women, men, boys and girls in differentways and therefore that they have different needs and face different risks, the ICRC plansits humanitarian action to respond accordingly.34 | ICRC ANNUAL REPORT 2013