Joint Action by Iraq and UN to Combat Sexual Violence

Brief Description

The Joint Action by Iraq and UN was launched to combat sexual violence against women in conflict situations in September 2016. The two stakeholders agreed to cooperate on the following areas:
1) Supporting legislative and policy reform to strengthen protection from and service response for sexual violence crimes and to facilitate documentation, return and reintegration of internally displaced persons and refugees into communities;
2) Ensuring accountability for sexual violence through strengthening the capacity of national and regional authorities, including the Kurdistan Genocide Committee to document, investigate and prosecute such crimes, according to applicable national laws;
3) Ensuring provision of services, livelihood support and reparations for survivors and children born of rape;
4) Engaging tribal and religious leaders, civil society as wel ass women human rights defenders in the prevention of sexual violence crimes and facilitating the return and reintegration of survivors;
5) Ensuring that considerations related to sexual violence are adequately reflected in the work of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Commission, including enhancing the role of women in counter-terrorism efforts; and
6) Raising awareness and deepening knowledge related to conflict-related sexual violence, including engagement with media and public awareness campaigns.