Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response in Refugee Situations in the Middle East and North Africa

SGBV is a growing concern for thousands of women, girls, men and boys affected by the Syria and Iraq crises. Women and girls as well as men and boys face increased risks and multiple forms of violence as a result of the conflict and displacement, including forced and early marriage, sexual violence, including sexual abuse and exploitation and domestic violence. The situation of refugees in both camp and non-camp settings and the growing phenomena of mixed migration situations throughout the Middle East and North Africa require the adoption of different assistance strategies and methods on the part of the humanitarian community.

In support for multi-sectorial and coordinated SGBV prevention and response, this report outlines strategies, in line with international standards, that UNHCR uses in coordination with national authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other partners across the region, to bring tangible results in preventing and responding to SGBV in refugee situations, as well as in the inter-agency response in situations of internal displacement. Despite the variations in context seen throughout the region, many of the good practices highlighted in this report can be replicated and scaled up to achieve a greater, longer-term prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence.