A) Objectifs de l’engagement
Gender affects individual experiences of armed conflicts in multiple ways and this influence impacts everyone. Sexual and gender-based violence remains prevalent in armed conflicts but the gendered impacts of armed conflict are multifaceted. They extend, for example, to biases in targeting and screening, and to access to health care and information. In addition, gendered impacts of armed conflict often coincidence with and may be enforced by other factors, such as age, race, and disability. International humanitarian law includes several provisions relevant to gender. These include non-discrimination in application of international humanitarian law, rules governing the protection of civilians, specific protections for women, and the prohibition of sexual violence against all persons. While significant steps have been taken to address gender-based discrimination in armed conflicts, stronger integration of a gender perspective into understanding of the law of armed conflict is necessary in order to strengthen protection for all. This pledge also further reinforces the commitments made in Finland’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, in which commitments are made to support gender dimension in the interpretation of international humanitarian law, to act to prevent and end sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts and to act to bring perpetrators to justice, as well as to include gender perspective in the training of the security sector.
B) Plan d’action
The Government of Finland and the Finnish Red Cross, according to their respective competences, jointly pledge to
- Increase knowledge and awareness of gendered impacts of armed conflict and the relevant IHL rules among the military, government officials, policy makers, the judicial sector, experts and the general public.
- Promote the integration of IHL and gender dimensions into relevant national legislation and policy, and in military documents, orders and directives.
- Support national and international accountability efforts for sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts, including by promoting gender-sensitive law and policies to enhance access to justice for victim/survivors.
- Take action to raise awareness of the gendered impacts of armed conflicts, and to promote a gender-sensitive understanding and application of IHL, both nationally and in international fora including the UN.
- Take concrete steps in implementing gender-sensitive and intersectional approaches in humanitarian action.
- In follow-up to the webinar organized by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Finnish Red Cross in 2024, organize a workshop on gender in armed conflicts.
C) Indicateurs permettant de mesurer les avancées:
- Incorporation of relevant IHL rules in military education material, and other military documents, orders and directives as appropriate, as well as such material and relevant training provided in and for the military.
- Dissemination material compiled and translated as well as actions taken to distribute it.
- Events held and other actions taken.
D) Ressources nécessaires:
–