By Vincent Ochilet, ICRC's Head of Regional Delegation in the Pacific
On June 19th, people across the globe will mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
This day aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence in conflicts as well as the need for greater efforts to prevent it and to support survivors.
Despite unequivocal moral and legal prohibitions sexual violence remains widespread in many contexts, particularly armed conflict and always has grave humanitarian consequences. Sexual violence is often utilized as a deliberate tactic to weaken an adversary by inflicting physical and psychological trauma on their civilian population. It also occurs opportunistically, including where rules of restraint are ignored or unenforced.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Regional Delegation in the Pacific works in 14 Pacific countries, including Papua New Guinea (PNG). In the Highlands of PNG tribal disagreements, if not settled in a timely manner, can escalate and lead to armed violence. The situation is particularly serious in the Enga, Hela and Southern Highlands provinces. During tribal fighting sexual violence is commonplace. Women, boys and girls and the elderly are often among the victims.
Applying its multidisciplinary response to the humanitarian consequences of tribal fighting in PNG, ICRC provides services to communities affected by sexual violence in conflict including:
- Health services, including mental health
- Psychosocial support, and
- Protection and other forms of care.
The ICRC supports health facilities with materials for the treatment of injured patients as well as technical guidance and training to provide specialized care to survivors of sexual violence. The ICRC trains and supports traditional community-based birth attendants and raise awareness about sexual and reproductive health services among community members. To ensure mental-health and psychosocial support is available to survivors of sexual violence the ICRC trains health centre staff and Family Support Centres in hospitals to conduct structured and sensitive consultations. The ICRC also seeks to strengthen existing referral mechanisms and cover costs where needed, to help survivors receive appropriate care.
ICRC in Papua New Guinea Photo: ICRC in the Pacific
Furthermore, the ICRC interacts closely with violence-affected people in PNG to better understand their protection-related needs and to help them mitigate safety risks. By raising the humanitarian impacts of tribal fighting among the parties concerned, the ICRC promotes obeyance to basic principles of humanity, even during an armed conflict; this emphasizes protecting civilians from sexual violence and other forms of abuse.
The ICRC works with military and police forces to promote the respect of relevant domestic and international law enforcement standards and provides guidance on integrating these norms into their training and operations. In addition, the ICRC works with local and government authorities, including armed forces, to establish a dialogue on measures to ensure that civilians and their property are protected from harm during operations. Where appropriate, the ICRC raises specific concerns based on documented allegations of unlawful conduct. The ICRC provides training sessions for security forces personnel on international policing standards, particularly on the use of force.
ICRC in Papua New Guinea Photo: ICRC in the Pacific
The ICRC also engages with community members involved in inter-tribal fighting; offering workshops on restraint, developing an awareness of humanitarian principles and discussing the importance of preventing sexual violence. This engagement with community members and their leaders encourages the adoption of coping mechanisms and preventive measures to help reduce their risk of exposure to tribal violence, including sexual violence.
This year's International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is an opportunity to highlight the importance of taking concrete measures to prevent sexual violence as a weapon or consequence of conflict. Where it continues to occur the ICRC aims to provide support to the survivors such as the provision of appropriate medical care, including mental health and psycho-social support.
Sexual violence during conflict is unacceptable. People across the World, including the Pacific Region must work together to prevent it and ensure that victims receive appropriate care and treatment.