Pledge on the Prevention of and Response to Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2019-2023

A) Objectives of the pledge:

1. Introduction

– Switzerland recalls and reaffirms previous commitments to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence, including Resolution 3 on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence of the 32^nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, our pledge made at the Oslo Conference on Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Humanitarian Crises of May 2019. We particularly emphasize our commitments made to the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, as well as in the Swiss National Action Plan 1325.

– We bear in mind that SGBV, in all its forms, is life-threatening and must be prevented and treated as such in each phase of an emergency, from preparedness and crisis onset through transition to development. Physical, sexual, psychological and economic forms of GBV all increase during times of conflict and crisis due to the collapse of social structures and lawlessness combined with pre-existing gender inequality. This life-saving work is at the heart of the humanitarian mandate and is essential for respecting, protecting and promoting the human rights of those we serve. If we fail our obligations, we fail all those at risk of violence, particularly women and girls.

– We welcome the Resolution on ‘Bringing IHL home: A road map for better national implementation of international humanitarian law’ of the 33^rd International Conference and hereby commit to implementing its provisions including to strengthen our prevention and response to sexual violence against all persons.

B) Action plan:

Switzerland pledges to undertake the following actions until 2023:

1. To contribute funding to efforts that enable survivors of sexual and gender-based violence to access non-discriminatory and comprehensive services, including sexual and reproductive health-care services, physical rehabilitation, psychological and psychosocial support, legal assistance and socio-economic support as required, always keeping in mind the need to ensure the dignity and safety of survivors, and the importance of confidentiality and privacy, including addressing issues such as social stigmatization of survivors.
2. To support policies and strategies that facilitate and enable engagement with local actors and particularly women’s rights organizations to address SGBV.
3. To support efforts for the equitable participation of women in relevant decision-making bodies on all levels, such as in disaster risk management bodies and systems and to ensure access to disaster response services for all.
4. To advocate for all humanitarian actors to take responsibility in prevention of and response to sexual sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflict, disasters and other emergencies based on the GBV Accountability Framework adopted by the Call to Action on Prevention of GBV in Emergencies in 2018.

C) Indicators for measuring progress:

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D) Resource implications:

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