Good practices to protect refugee women and girls from violence in the EU

“Good practices to protect refugee women and girls from violence in the EU” is a joint project of the World Future Council, UN Women German Committee and Filia Foundation.

The final report was published on the 18th of December 2016 to mark International Migrants Day. It includes more than 30 good practices from 13 different countries. It is intended as a resource for governments, local, regional and national authorities, policy-makers and civil society organisations, who are encouraged to review and adapt practices from other countries for their own context.

GAMS Belgium contributed to this project and appears as an example of “Good practices” in the report (page 39).

“An increasing number of refugees worldwide are women and children. In many cases, they are forced to leave their homes due to armed conflicts, insecurity or generalised violence. For women and girls, their migration experience is shaped by some particular features, the roots of which lie in the gendered forms of violence they may face throughout their journey. Some may leave their country of origin because of experiences of gender-based violence or in fear of such violence. Without regular pathways to reach a country where they can seek international protection, women often have to resort to dangerous routes. During their journey, they are exposed to sexual and gender-based violence.

However, once they reach their destination, many women and young girls still face risks due to limited access to support services, a lack of effective procedures to identify survivors of gender-based violence and inadequate reception conditions in accommodation facilities.

The aim of this report is to suggest positive actions that international organisations, local, regional, or national authorities, civil society organisations and NGOs can take to better protect refugee women and girls from violence. This is with the goal of promoting the exchange of good and promising practices and opening up a space for transnational dialogue, experience-sharing and peer-to-peer learning.”

Read the report Protecting refugee women and girls

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