2019.35 United Nations Field Missions: Preventing and responding to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (Policy)

Abstract

The purpose of this Policy is to institutionalise the approach and role of United Nations field missions (peacekeeping operations and special political missions) in preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The policy serves to ensure effective complementarity in prevention and response to CRSV at both headquarters and field levels between the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC) and the Team of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict (TOE). The Policy also serves as a resource for United Nations agencies, funds and programmes who lead on CRSV services. This Policy provides guidance on effective prevention of and response to CRSV by United Nations field missions, both peacekeeping and special political missions (SPMs), and strives to ensure relevance and applicability for both while noting the different contexts, roles, composition and resources. It applies to all personnel, from Senior Mission Leadership to Senior Mission Management and everyone under their authority, whether uniformed or civilian, at a strategic, planning, policy or operational level. Those leading the work on CRSV, in accordance with their specific mandate and operational environment, have specific responsibilities outlined herein. This Policy should be taken into consideration by United Nations Country Teams (UNCT) as well as Member States, particularly Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs), which should incorporate the policy into pre-deployment training and mandate implementation in mission.