NEW YORK, 25 November 2008, International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women: The United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women will award nearly 19 million US dollar in 2008 to 23 projects and initiatives in 29 countries that are addressing gender-based violence.
This is more than the UN Trust Fund — which is administered by UNIFEM on behalf of the UN system — has awarded in total since its inception in 1996. In comparison to last year, when 5 million US dollar were disbursed, the grant amount has almost quadrupled.
– This is an extremely encouraging trend, UNIFEM Executive Director Inés Alberdi said. – It is a sign of new momentum created through UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women. In the context of this campaign, the UN Trust Fund is a key mechanism to provide urgently needed funding to initiatives worldwide, she added.
Despite the steep increase, resources still fall short to meet the vast demand. Overall, grants requests amounting to 525 million US dollar were received this year for initiatives in developing countries, including in conflict-affected countries where widespread and systematic sexual violence has become a horrific tactic of warfare.
For the first time in the UN Trust Fund’s history, applicants were invited to submit proposal requests for up to 1 million US dollar. Also, UN Country Teams were invited to apply in partnership with national governments and civil society organizations.
About the 2008 Grantees
In 2008, grants go to organizations to support the implementation of national laws, policies, and action plans on ending violence against women. 13 initiatives in 18 countries will receive grants amounting to12 million US dollar to that end. Examples of such projects approved in this 13th grant cycle include:
In India, a grantee will facilitate the implementation of the national 2005 “Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act” by developing a model of an effective response system for women survivors of violence that involves multiple state agencies.
In Ecuador, a project will develop the linkage between economic empowerment and prevention of violence against women in two border rural provinces marked by poverty and discrimination, and highly affected by the armed conflict in Colombia.
In Serbia, a model for cooperation between the police and social welfare centers at provincial level will ensure systematic and standardized data collection and analysis on reported cases of violence against women, as well as coordinated services for survivors of violence.
In China, the UN Country Team intends to raise political commitment among policy makers to adopt a national policy and legislation on domestic violence by working in close partnership with the “All China Women’s Federation” and various ministries. This joint UN programme will build upon good practices and lessons learned from successful pilot projects.
A second set of grants amounting to 7 million US dollar are awarded to 10 groups in 13 countries focusing on catalytic, innovative and learning initiatives to address violence against women.
In Morocco, a country where women are particularly vulnerable to discrimination and violence upon becoming pregnant outside of wedlock, support for professional development and legal literacy will be provided for single mothers.
A cross-regional initiative will document and evaluate four interventions to promote positive changes in men’s attitudes and behaviours regarding gender roles and norms in Brazil, Chile, India and Rwanda, contributing to the knowledge base on effective strategies to engage men in ending violence against women.
About the UN Trust Fund
The United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund) is a leading global mechanism supporting efforts of governments and non-governmental organizations to end violence against women and girls. Established in 1996 by the UN General Assembly, the UN Trust Fund is administered by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) on behalf of the UN system.
Grants are decided collectively in an open and competitive selection process by representatives of UN agencies, representatives of NGOs and other experts. Since its establishment, the UN Trust Fund has granted more than 40 million US dollar to 286 initiatives in 115 countries.
Kilde: www.unifem.org
