Première Urgence Internationale commits to fighting gender-based violence in emergencies

Première Urgence Internationale has just become an official partner to the Call to Action on for protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies. The NGO is now one of the 84 partners to the Call to Action and commits to working on this topic, in all of its missions across the world.

Première Urgence Internationale is committed to fighting gender-based violence. © Gottay Photography, Nigeria, 2018.

Première Urgence Internationale has recently joined the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies. The NGO becomes a partner of this multi-stakeholder initiative and commits to prevent and reduce gender-based violence alongside state members, donors, international organizations and other INGOs.

This Call to Action, initially upheld by the European Union and now by Canada, has been launched in 2013. With the goal to bring together different players and fundamentally transform the way gender-based violence is addressed in humanitarian emergencies. The initiative has up to date 84 partners worldwide.

Reducing opportunities for violence

The aim is to drive change and foster accountability. The Call to Action ensures every humanitarian effort, from the earliest stage of a crisis, includes the policies, systems, and mechanisms to mitigate gender-based violence risks, especially violence against women and girls. This initiative also aims at providing safe and comprehensive services to those affected by gender-based violence.

In practice, Première Urgence Internationale commits to two key-actions by 2020:

• Establish and implement internal institutional policies, standards, and practices that drive action and accountability on gender-based violence and on gender equality, in humanitarian service delivery ;
• Integrate gender-based violence and gender equality considerations into tools, guidelines, and processes related to monitoring and evaluation, building an evidence base, and information collection, sharing, and use.

Strengthening resources

In 2019, Première Urgence Internationale wanted to put Humanitarian Protection at the core of its activities. By ensuring dedicated human resource capacity and reaffirming the centrality of Protection in its mandate and its multi-year strategy (2020-2024).

At the same time, the NGO also consolidated its professional expertise in mental health and psychosocial support. With the ambition of proposing an integrated response to crises, through a more holistic approach. “By joining this Call to Action, we formalize our institutional and operational commitment. We commit to concrete actions and clear objectives”, Laura Callot highlights, Protection and Gender advisor for Première Urgence Internationale. “We are accountable towards the initiative’s partners network. But above all, to the populations of the areas where we operate.”