Gender Related Vulnerabilities and HIV in Conflict and post conflict settings

1. Gender Related Vulnerabilities and HIV in Conflict and post conflict settings Hortense Gbaguidi, Reg. Coordinator, VAW in Maternal Health and in HIV Catherine Andela, Humanitarian Advisor

2. Vulnerability of women and girls to violence in conflict/post-conflict and humanitarian settings Roles in society: Reproductive role of women often make them homebound, which makes them particularly vulnerable in earthquakes and hurricanes makes them less mobile than men in case of danger. Economic aspects: Poverty may affect the level of education and awareness, leading to less access to information about potential risks such as GBV / HIV conflict related sexual violence;

3. Vulnerability of women and girls to violence in conflict/post-conflict and humanitarian settings Physical safety and GBV: Loss of housing in case of disaster, displacement during armed conflicts, means that families are often forced to relocate to shelters or move in with relatives or neighbours, where women, girls, boys and men may not be safe. Promiscuity, inappropriate water and food supply mechanisms, unsafe sanitation areasexpose women and girls to unwanted sex and HIV. During armed conflicts, women and children are used as weapon of war, or are forced to be associated with armed forces. In the aftermath of disasters women and children are at risk of becoming victims of trafficking, domestic and sexual violence, Rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced abortion. Girl child soldiers expected to provide sexual services in addition to other duties and are thus exposed to HIV Infection. - Male / female migration during crisis, conflict and/or emergencies can lead to an increase in unsafe sexual practices for both women and men, and lead to the risk of women being forced into unsafe transactional sex and be exposed to HIV Infection..

4. How Big is the GBV issue in conflict, post conflict and humanitarian setting? And Why? • Gender-based violence and exposure to HIV keep occurring in every conflict and humanitarian setting. • Lack of understanding of GBV; attitudes and behavior of “helpers” (us), non respect of sociocultural aspect • Under-reporting • Lack of data = it doesn’t happen • “You don’t understand our culture.” • “We don’t have that here.” • Laws and policies in the country not applicable • Inadequate resources indicate a lack of political will at highest levels • Lack of sufficient coordination & communication among actors • Lack of monitoring or evaluation; no information about effects or outcomes • Lack of capacity (medical, legal, psychosocial)

5. Exposure to HIV in conflict, post conflict and humanitarian setting • Women and children are particularly at Risk of • Physical injuries • STIs including HIV/AIDS • Unwanted pregnancy • Emotional disconnect and psychological trauma • Lack of medical evidence for filing a claim and seeking legal support • Inappropriate care and support • Lack of responsiveness in terms of holistic care and support (medical and psychosocial, post exposure prophylaxis, social and economic rehabilitation

6. What are the consequences if gender is not taken into consideration in conflict, post conflict and humanitarian programming? Inadequate risk identification and risk assessment for women, men, girls and boys Inappropriate policy and programming response, prioritisation and financing of risk at national and community levels Ineffective interventions and outcomes, in terms for instance of HIV prevalence and sex ratio Interventions can create or worsen gender inequalities and vulnerabilities (increase of HIV rate, increase of GBV, HIV assistance and eMTCT not taken into account. )

7. Gender must be taken into account! How? 1. Gender Analysis to inform Preparedness. Gender analysis before, during and after conflict and/or emergency/humanitarian setting must be conducted. 2. Vulnerability Assessment This is essential to identify who is most vulnerable, and why, which capacities need to be developed/ strengthened, as well as what relief and services are specifically needed (PLWA, LGBT, Elderly, PLH, etc..) Gender analysis is essential to ensure the right response for all women, girls, boys and men. Social networks, power relationships, knowledge and skills, gender roles, health, wealth, and location, all affect risk and vulnerability to crisis and the capacity to respond to them.

8. 3. Information Gathering and Management • Experience shows that assessments planned in emergency often fail to collect essential gender and protection information and HIV trends. • In the same rush, time and attention may not be paid to ensuring an appropriate gender mix in assessment team members. • Ideally, women-to-women and men-to-men discussions should be conducted to identify the needs, coping abilities and best solutions for all in the affected populations. • All follow-up assessments need to be structured to ensure deeper capture of relevant HIV information and data by sex, age, disability and context-relevant vulnerability. • Preparedness should always put priority on having agreed GBV/HIV data, assessment tools and approaches in place before conflict or disaster strikes.

9. 4. Planning • Country-level contingency plans and cluster work plans are central to preparedness. • Standards and guidelines need to be agreed upon before either crisis, conflict, or disaster strikes. Planning is also fundamental to effective stockpiling. • With gender-sensitive planning, pre-positioning and government-approved lists of allowed relief items can ensure that food and non-food relief (medical and HIV prevention and care supply including PEP and holistic support) meet assessed needs and do not cause harm. • Harm can take many forms including: a surge of gender-based violence when relief supplies are inappropriate; opportunistic promotion of baby formula that undermines breastfeeding; and gaps in supply of preferred contraceptives.

10. 5. Capacity Building • Engaging communities in preparedness for any emergencies such as natural disaster, in mediation for conflict and post conflict issues, is key to reducing risk. • Build on Communities coping mechanisms in prevention and response to GBV and HIV, Promoting behavior change, stigma and discrimination free environment. • The objective is to enhance, and build onto, the existing knowledge of women, girls, boys and men on GBV and HIV. • Active and equal engagement of women and men in recovery process enhances the coping strategies of the community against hazard risks, against threats resulting from conflict and post conflict context and reduces its vulnerability to them. • For these reasons, national governments should actively support crisis management committees within communities. (HIV prevention, care and support, health outbreaks, disaster, political mediation, elections, etc,)

11. MANYTHANKS