Provision of prompt assistance to GBV survivors and

strengthening the capacity of local associations for a

comprehensive GBV response in Yemen project

Thematic Assessment Report

GBV - physical assault in Yemen

Assessment conducted in

Aden, Abyan, Lahaj, Al-Dhala’e , Shabwa, Sada’a, Amran

and Hajja

December 2015

1

Table of contents

1. Introduction 2

1.1. General context of GBV in Yemen ................................................................................................ 2 1.2. Background ................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3. Objectives of the GBV Assessment .............................................................................................. 3 1.4. Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 3

2. Findings 4

2.1. General Understanding of GBV and Physical Assault: ................................................................. 4 2.2. Physical Assault Trends, Causes and Response ......................................................................... 4

3. Response to Physical Assault: ...................................................................................................................... 8

4. Conclusions 13

Abbreviations

CBO Community Based Organisation

FG Focus Group

FGD Focus Group Discussion

GBV Gender Based Violence

IMS Information Management System

INGO International Non-Governmental Organisation

LNGO Local Non-Governmental Organisation

VAW Violence Against Women

YWU Yemen Women Union

2

1. Introduction INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian aid organization committed to helping and supporting endangered populations, victims of wars and natural disasters. INTERSOS started its partnership with UNFPA in 2013 and implemented in 2015 the UNFPA-funded project “Provision of prompt assistance to GBV victims and strengthening the capacity of local association for a comprehensive GBV response in Yemen”, in Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwa, Al-Dhalea, Amran, Sada'a and Hajja. The project aimed to contribute to the establishment of community based GBV emergency response networks and prevention, coordination of GBV efforts through support for the GBV working groups in Aden and Haradh, and capacity building of Yemeni local associations engaged in GBV prevention and response activities in the North and South of Yemen. The project included also a thematic assessment for GBV.

1.1. General context of GBV in Yemen Before the war, the existing Yemeni social protection system provided only limited specialized services for GBV survivors and women at risk showing large gaps, while humanitarian organizations (international and national) offering assistance struggled to cover the needs and the geographical areas. Open conflict erupted in March 2015 in Yemen as part of a deeply entrenched power struggle between different parties, combined with the intervention of a KSA-led foreign coalition.

1 This chain of events has

brought a humanitarian disaster upon Yemen. According to UNOCHA, over 82% (21.2 million) of Yemenis cannot meet basic needs such as food, water, and medical supplies). Six months of conflict have taken a very high toll on civilians‟ lives and violation of basic rights. Since 26 March, health facilities have reported more than 32,200 casualties – many of them civilians. In the same period, OHCHR has verified 8,875 reports of human rights violations – an average of 43 violations every day. Verified incidents of child death or injury from March to September are almost five times higher than the total number of cases registered during 2014. Meanwhile the collapse of basic services in Yemen continues to accelerate. Partners estimate that 14.1 million people lack sufficient access to healthcare; 3 million children and pregnant or lactating women require malnutrition treatment or preventive services; and 1.8 million children have been out of school since mid-March. Solid waste removal has come to a halt in several areas. Service availability is rapidly contracting due to direct impact of conflict and insufficient resources to pay salaries or maintain services. 2.3 million are currently displaced within Yemen – about half of whom are in Aden, Taiz, Hajja and Al-Dhale‟a governorates – and an additional 121,000 have fled the country. About 2.7 million people now require support to secure shelter or essential household supplies, including IDPs and vulnerable host families. IDPs are currently sheltering in 260 schools, preventing access to education for 13,000 children.

2

In particular IDPs and the most vulnerable groups amongst the host community experience extreme hardship at many levels and face severe protection risks: unsatisfied basic and psychosocial needs, difficulty in accessing basic services such as health services, discrimination and exploitation (pushing the most vulnerable into negative coping strategies). The conflict has severely disrupted overall service provision (including health, water, education, etc.) and destroyed local economic potential/opportunities, but also lead to a massive displacement of Yemenis, unable to go back due to on-going conflict or due to the lack of proper shelter and services in their area of origin. Displaced people mostly live in rented housing but the most vulnerable people are obliged to opt for collective shelter arrangement, subjecting women, girls and children in particular to an increased risk for GBV. Although not proven, but often cited by GBV actors, it is assumed that that the conflict also contributed to greater tensions at household level, leading to increased levels of domestic violence (incl. physical assault or psychological violence).

1.

1 Amidst the confusion and vanished institutions, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State (IS) affiliate in the region strengthened their foothold in this corner of the Middle East. 2 Humanitarian Needs Overview Yemen 2016, http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2016_HNO_English_%20FINAL.pdf

3

From 2015 Gender Based Violence Information Management System (GBV IMS) trend analysis it is noted that there is an increased risk of girls and women engaging in negative coping mechanisms (especially child marriage) and an increase in reported cases of physical and psychological assault, which negatively affects the capacity to meet basic needs and livelihood opportunities for Yemeni families, exacerbating the indirect impact of the conflict: men leaving the families to fight, leaving women alone to manage all daily aspects of life, generating more social pressure and radicalisation of social-economic space for women. As a result of the crisis there has been an increase in woman headed households.

3

GBV incidents remain underreported due to a general reluctance to report GBV incidents because of fear of disclosure, social stigma, restricted mobility to access response services as well as fear of retaliation by the perpetrators or own family/community. Gender relations in Yemen are complex and vary across the country, including differences between North and South, urban and rural, families, and tribes. The North has been traditionally more conservative than the South. Despite the fact that women have considerable productive and reproductive responsibilities, they have limited participation in society and a lower status than men. Men remain the ultimate decision-makers in and outside of the household. Women face various forms of violence and discrimination ranging from domestic violence, early and forced marriage, denial of education, exclusion from decision-making, female genital mutilation (FGM) and restriction of movement. It is also important to note, that another particularly vulnerable group to face GBV are the Al-Muhamashin, who are mostly concentrated in Hajja governorate. The origins of the group are unclear, but they are considered the lowest status group in Yemeni social hierarchy. In particular, Al-Muhamashin women are marginalized. Background

1.2. Objectives of the GBV Assessment The following are the objectives of the assessment.

To carry out a GBV protection assessment, focusing on physical assault as one of the most common typology GBV reported in Yemen in 2015 as per the GBV IMS (2015) for INTERSOS UNFPA project

To better understand the trend of physical assault in the current context of Yemen today (war, displacement and poverty)

To find out the perception of the local communities regarding associations and service providers engaged in GBV prevention and response

To identify particular vulnerabilities to be addressed for the prevention and response of physical assault

To suggest recommendations for better prevention and response combining efforts of communities, humanitarian community and local associations/civil society

This thematic assessment also permits for an improved and contextualized response and prevention programming.

1.3. Methodology The assessment took place between 23 November and 10 December 2015, conducted in all 8 governorates covered and included in the INTERSOS-UNFPA 2015 project activities, i.e. Hajjah, Sada‟a, Amran, Aden, Abyan, Lahaj, Al-Dhalae and Shabwa. Following a pre-prepared questionnaire, focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted each governorate with 3 different target groups separately:

- Local Associations: assembling focal points and volunteers of local associations, INTERSOS partners during 2015 project implementation.

- GBV survivors: identified and supported survivors of physical assault during the activities in 2015 by the partner associations.

- Communities: assembling community leaders and representatives the communities targeted by the local associations during activities in 2015. It was kept in view that the sample composition for these FGDs should present a broad spectrum of aspects of the population in these communities: e.g. imam, lawyer, community network, teachers and social consultants.

In total 17 FGDs were conducted with 158 participants. The breakdown of the participant is presented here below:

1.

4

No Governorate GBV survivors Community Participants Associations Total

1 Hajjah 10 7 5 22

2 Amran 10 6 3 19

3 Sada'a 8 5 2 15

4 Aden 6 10 14 24

5 Abyan/Zingibar 7 10 - 17

6 Lahaj/ Tuban 6 - - 6

7 Lahaj/Al Mijhifa - 10 - 10

8 Al-Dhalae/Al-Dhalae 7 11 - 18

9 Shabwa/Ataq 10 11 - 21

10 Total 64 70 24 158

After the completion of the FGDs, initial data was analysed separately for both North and South. Afterwards, a comparative analysis was undertaken between governorates and between North and South. This report brings together the main findings relevant to the thematic assessment.

2. Findings

2.1. General Understanding of GBV and Physical Assault

- The FGD participants responded GBV is violence that is directed against a person (especially female as she is vulnerable) based on the gender or sex. It includes aggressive acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and other deprivations of liberty. While women, men, boys and girls can be victims of gender-based violence, women and girls are the main victims. It can occur by the family, the community or be perpetrated or condoned by people who work for, or on behalf of, the state. Those actions or behaviours may be abuse of power and the violation of human rights.

- GBV survivors of the assessment responded physical assault as an aggressive act against women and children, girls and boys by men. The term of physical assault, according to associations, was responded as any wrong use of physical force with the potential of causing death, disability, injury or any other harm to a person.

2.2. Physical Assault Trends, Causes and Response Physical assault against women is widely spread, as demonstrated by the GBV-IMS reporting in 2015: 31% (495 out of 1.608) of reported GBV incidents were physical assault, 86% of the survivors were women (and girls). In 2014 the total cases reported for physical assault were 339 out of 1.125 (35%). During the assessment it became clear that most of the affected women prefer not to disclose GBV because of stigma and fear for reprisals, including honour killing. In Aden and Abyan 100% of FDG participants estimated an increase in physical assault. In Shabwa, 77% stated an increase since March 2015. In Al-Dhalae, however, 69% of the respondents suggested that physical assault against them has decreased during and after the war. Fears and worries have led to more solidarity and mutual support among the family members. In Lahj 33% of the respondents responded with the increase in physical assault. In Hajjah, 85% of participants estimate an increase in GBV, and in Amran 70%. In Sada‟a physical assault was stated by participant to have increased in the governorate but it was also explained that it is difficult to report due to stigma and cultural barriers. As such the percentage of reported increase is approximately 40-50 %. In Lahaj, the FGDs were organised in a rural community. 67% of the participants suggested that there is no change in the incidents of physical assault. Representatives of women associations in Lahaj suggested that the incidents have increased, but especially in urban areas. Table 1.1 shows the increase trend in the physical assault in different governorates

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2.3. Reasons for increase in Physical Assault

According to the majority of the FGD participants, the current crisis which has heavily affected/disturbed the life of people. The main reasons given for increased physical abuse and changes in GBV trends were:

- displacement and separation of families - influx of IDPs affecting communities - no/limited employment opportunities for men - lack of rule of law: no police protection and lack of overall governance - lack of public attention/campaigning on GBV related issues - lack of knowledge of women on their rights, individual rights protected under national law - psychological distress and mental impact of the conflict - geographical areas have been more affected by others due to conflict concentration - traditional and cultural elements: pre-dominant male leadership, and gender based decisions, lack of

knowledge of women rights, family separation, and harmful traditional practices such as denial of inheritance, forced/ early marriage and strict limitation of movement

- increase in substance abuse (alcohol and drugs), especially for Hajja reported on - the denial of inheritance and strict limitation of movement was stated as more common in North than

South, especially in Hajjah and Amran

2.4. Frequency of physical violence

Per outcomes of the FGDs the frequency of physical assault is different between governorates. According to the respondents violence is a general part of their daily life.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Aden

Abyan

Lahj

Al Dhalea

Shabwa

Hajja

Amran

Sadda

All Locations

Aden Abyan Lahj Al Dhalea Shabwa Hajja Amran SaddaAll

Locations

Increased 100 100 33 15 77 85 70 45 66%

No Changes 0 0 67 15 15 15 30 55 25%

Decreased 0 0 0 69 8 0 0 0 10%

% of respondants, suggesting trends in physical assault

6

In Hajjah, it was responded, that the frequency of violence is daily. In Amran, the frequency of physical assault was on average five times a week, while in Sada‟a the frequency reported was once a week. In other governorates the frequency of facing physical violence varied from daily in Aden, to 1-2 times in Abyan and 1 time per week in Lahj, Al-Dhalae numbers indicated1 to 2 times per month and in Shabwa 1-2 times per week. While the number in Sa‟ada appears the lowest, it is important to understand that GBV is believed to be underreported in the governorate due a more conservative and closed society. During the FGD local associations‟ representatives responded that the number of cases, seeking for help has dramatically increased, due to increased incidents and the awareness program leading to increased reporting. The estimated increase varies between 10-30% in Al-Dhalea to 70-80 % in Aden and Abyan. 38% of the interviewed survivors, who had also been supported as survivor by the local associations, reported that the frequency of physical assault against them had reduced because of the awareness consultations. However, 48% of the participants responded that the incidents against them have increased. In Shabwa, 70% of the respondents suggested that physical assault directed to them has increased. Most of the survivors were part of a marginalised group of workers that came from outside the governorate. They mentioned frustration and aggressive behaviour of their husbands, as a result of the difficult economic situation following the current crisis as the main trigger for increased violence. In Sada‟a, Amran, and Hajja allsurvivors declared that there was an increased number of incidents in 2015 despite the awareness and consultation of the local associations.

Table 1.2 shows the increase/ decrease trend of physical assault of survivors after consultations with LNGOs

.

2.5. Most common Injuries received by survivor

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The most common injuries that the survivors received have similarities in common in the targeted governorates. These are burnings, fractures, bleedings especially nose bleeding, prolapsed of womb

4, back-

sliding, bruising and internal bleeding. According to the FGD these injuries lead to psychological consequences such as chronic fearing and phobia, higher blood pressure, beating with sharp objects, injuries on the spine and during 2015 a high number of miscarriages were reported.

2.6. Most vulnerable groups at Risk of Physical Assault

The FGD participant stated the following groups as the most vulnerable: - Poor and illiterate women are the group mostly subjected to physical assault. FGDs responded that

uneducated poor women are more affected than educated ones because educated women are seemingly more aware of their rights.

- Marginalised poor women are more likely to be subject to physical assault. In particular the marginalised populations, called Al-Mohamasheen, suffer social and economic discrimination, making it difficult to escape the cycle of poverty, violence, and intolerance that characterizes their lives. Some of the most critical problems affecting the Al-Mohamasheen population are the lack of access to adequate housing, employment, education, and basic social services.

5

- Divorced women were considered as very vulnerable. They are rejected by the community and more likely to be subject to physical assault, psychological violence and restriction of movement. A divorced/single woman could be a victim of forced marriage.

- Girls are likely to be subjected to physical assaults by their brothers and parents, as a result of preference towards boys in the Yemeni culture. Respondents suggested that this kind of domestic violence has increased as a result of the war, the economic situation and influences of radical groups.

- Employed women could also be physical assaulted, especially if refusing to give their income to husband or brothers.

- Overall it was considered that a woman without protection of her family is more vulnerable. - Respondents suggested that some families returned their daughters back to their perpetrators, just

because they could not afford food for them and their children.

2.7. Most common perpetrators

The FGD participants responded that poor jobless husbands are the most common perpetrators. According to FGD participants, in general, uneducated men are more intolerant and more aggressive than educated ones, due to limited access to labour market. Table 1.3 shows the most vulnerable groups and the most common perpetrators

Vulnerable groups Perpetrator

Group Social and economic Characteristics Group Social and economic Characteristics

Wives Poor , uneducated, lack of parent protection Marginalised

Husbands Poor, unemployed, uneducated Intolerant and aggressive behaviour Marginalised community Alcohol and drug addicted

Divorced/widows Not self-reliant ( Unemployed, No skills) Have small children Without or poor parents

Parents Brothers

Poor families Careless parents Marginalised community

1. 4 Prolapsed of womb is the weakness of muscles that do not support the Uterus. Some husbands have hit their wives in

the genital parts that caused this. 5 UN Women Country Assessment on Violence Against Women in Yemen, 2010

http://www.un.org/womenwatch/ianwge/taskforces/vaw/Country_Assessment_on_Violence_against_Women_August_2_2010.pdf

8

Children Orphans Children of divorced mothers Homeless and unaccompanied children

Relatives Mother Employers

Poor , uneducated families Marginalised group Mother suffers from physical assault

Girls Strong preference for boys in the family Absence/ Weak control of parents

Brothers Intolerant behaviour Influenced by misinterpretation of Islamic values

Employed women - Husbands Brothers and In-laws

Jobless or limited income Qat addicted

3. Response to Physical Assault: According to the FGDs, most of the women survivors approach their families for help and protection in case of physical violence. The community members - FGD participants replied that:

- In Hajjah, the participants responded that based on the physical, medical or a psychological condition of the case a decision is taken. In the event of injuries cases are taken directly to hospital and to psychosocial services. It was also responded that due to the lack of police the cases are now referred to Ansar Allah or to community elders that solve the cases via mediation.

- In Amran most of the survivors are referred to Yemen Women Union. In case of need for medical services the cases are referred to Amran public hospital. Due to lack of the functioning of police and legal sector, cases are sometimes also referred to Ansar Allah. Overall according to the participants in most of the cases women are not provided the chance of defending themselves due to gender discrimination. Some cases are also referred to the local imams.

- In Sada‟a the community referred the cases to YWU for psychological support and also to Al-Salaam hospital for medical assistance. Some cases were solved via community mediation.

- In Aden, neighbours and community elders mediate in solving domestic problems and even before the war women approached the YWU if they did not get enough support and protection from their families.

- In some FGDs it was responded that survivors approach the family first, then the YWU or any other local association working on GBV issues or requesting trusted women for advice (mostly female community elders), in addition to sheikhs or other community elders for mediation.

- During the FGDs it was stated that marginalised women have less barriers to reporting compared to other survivors. They can more easily access place for help and protection, e.g. the police, a sheik, an association or any group controlling the area.

Overall it appears that legal assistance is less an option, while (community) mediation being more common, in addition to looking for psychosocial support from local associations and medical referral if needed to medical service providers.

3.1. Response by local associations

According to the respondents of the local associations, the survivor is referred to medical services in case of need. The associations accompany the survivor to the medical facility or only refer out sheet is filled for medical services.

In partnership with INTERSOS, in 2015 30 local associations have been working on GBV prevention and response spread over 8 governorates (3 in North and 5 in South). These associations conduct advocacy and raise awareness, and provide case management services, including different types of counselling and support to the survivors including:

- Psychological first aid and psychosocial counselling - External referring of cases for legal support, if required and requested, especially to the YWU

Note: For Sada‟a it was responded that local parties do not always support legal actions and prefer mediation at the family level

- Emergency cash assistance for medical or legal aid for the most vulnerable cases - Support/accompany cases for mediation - Provision of safe shelter/accommodations for affected children (in Aden only)

9

- Referral of serious cases to UNFPA temporary shelter (Al-Hudaida and Sana‟a) - Conciliation between the survivor, community and perpetrator - Reporting GBV incidents for recording to international organizations and UN agencies - Advocacy for GBV more and better quality response

3.2. Survivor seeking for assistance

During the assessment it was reported most of the affected women/survivors approached their families for help. It is not very frequent, especially in tribal communities, that a woman approaches the police or court. For instance in Shabwa and Al-Dalae, it is most common for women survivors to approach their families, waiting until the husband apologise or solve the problem internally. According to the participants, in case of repeating incidents of physical abuse, the family then also sets more conditions to let the woman to return to her husband. It is also common to demand the perpetrator to pay living expenses or „penalties‟ for his committed acts of violence. This process is quite often facilitated by an external mediator or arbitrators. Some of the survivors responded that after approaching their family, they also approached the YWU or any other association working in GBV, and even in some cases also other trusted women are approached for advice. In some cases a survivor may approach a Sheikh. In Amran and Sada‟a survivors stated to sometimes approach Ansar Allah and local imams. In north, it was reported that some imams are considered as „expert‟ in solving domestic problems.

3.3. Prevention/mitigation of physical assault at different levels

According to the FGDs participants, physical assault is a complex problem, resulting from cultural, social and economic factors. Participants of the FGDs discussed the situation and proposed a set of actions at different levels. The proposed actions per outcome from the FGDs are summarised in the table below: Table 1.4 shows the summary of reducing physical violence at different levels

Level Summary of situation review Suggestion to reduce/mitigate Physical assault

Household

Strong preference of boys

over girls in the family led to

more VAW and GBV. There is

a lack of listening and

understanding to each other.

Lack of knowledge about

basic rights and values.

Misinterpretation of Islamic

values.

Violence has very negative

implications on children‟s

lives.

Poverty increases the risk for

GBV.

Work on knowledge and awareness of women

and girls in coping with/addressing GBV.

House to house awareness raising including;

women and children‟s rights, dealing with

internal conflict, explaining the negative and

long term impact of violence on families and

especially children.

Skill training, livelihood and income generating

activities to share responsibilities, increase

self-reliance and develop self-esteem and

understanding of one‟s abilities and potential.

Community There are many potentials in

the communities to do more

to combat VAW and GBV.

In general, violence is not

accepted in the community,

and especially not against

women and children.

Solidarity, justice, support

and protection of vulnerable

people is part of Yemeni

tradition and the Islamic

values.

However, the community

Improve and depart from understanding of the

respective communities (incl. cultural aspects)

and develop awareness plans accordingly.

Conduct awareness at community level on the

impact and consequences of GBV at

household and community level.

Build the capacity of communities in timely

reporting of GBV cases and stress the

importance of confidentiality to prevent stigma.

Development of culturally appropriate and easy

understandable IEC materials for mass

distribution at the community level, especially

exposing health consequences of GBV

10

Level Summary of situation review Suggestion to reduce/mitigate Physical assault

doesn‟t take joint initiatives to

reduce GBV; overall there is

a lack of initiatives fostering

community mobilisation and

promotion of community

based protection

mechanisms.

Continuous innovation and creativity in

developing GBV response and prevention

messages.

Increase mobilisation of imams of mosques for

awareness raising against VAW and GBV.

Increase safe spaces at community level

through the support for establishment and

development of women and youth centres.

Support the survivors through the provision of

psychological, medical and legal assistance.

Establishment of community based protection

networks - volunteer social workers.

Reduction of prevalence of alcohol and drug

abuse

At the legal

level

Too many laws without actual

implementation. Some laws

need to be revised.

Legal processes take long

time.

Corruption is widespread in

police and judiciary system.

Safety and confidentiality are

not granted for GBV survivors

especially women.

Legal protection for women is

not well known to the majority

of the population.

Gender imbalance in police

and judiciary.

Overall women‟s access to

justice is very difficult

Currently judiciary and police

systems have collapsed.

Provision of strong legal protection for GBV

survivors, including following up the case in the

court if needed.

Increasing funding for legal protection fund for

associations and national NGOs.

Speed up legal processes.

Raising awareness about related legal issues.

More transparency and eradication of

corruption.

Establishment of women‟s section at the police

stations to deal with women issues.6

Employment of female staff in police and

judicial institutions.

Invest in GBV capacity building of the legal

sector

Assurance of confidentiality.

Improved women access to justice systems

and facilitate safe and dignified access to

justice.

Support the strengthening of capacities of the

judiciary and police to investigate and judge

GBV.

In medical

sector

Hospitals and clinics do not

grant/assure confidentiality.

Lack of proper protocols for

referral and case

management and qualified

staff to deal with GBV.

Recruitment of specialised personnel to

provide physical and psychological treatment.

Assure high confidentiality and follow-up

violating of confidentiality.

Provide subsidised medicine and treatments

for survivors of GBV.

Building the capacity of health staff in dealing

with GBV, including CMR.

Establishment of women networks and training

them in in GBV because all the cases cannot

either have access to medical facilities or

cannot go for cultural reasons.

In abroad

spectrum

The central government

endorsed a lot of strategies,

but implementation remains a

challenge.

Implementation of poverty alleviation

programs.

Political and economic empowerment of

women.

1. *)6

According to rrespondents of Aden FG: In 2006, under the umbrella, Women Access to Justice, supported by Oxfam, the YWU and the Ministry of Interior – Aden Branch established a pilot women section, to deal with women related issues. A few years later, a new chief of the security forces in Aden cancelled the project.

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Level Summary of situation review Suggestion to reduce/mitigate Physical assault

Gender gap is very large.

Local authorities are lacking

gender oriented

programming.

Many national and

international organisations

are working on GBV related

issues. However, there is a

gap of coordination,

especially at implementation

levels.

Introduction of gender equality in the education

curriculum and overall push for education

promotion.

Advocacy at national and international level for

the prevention and response of GBV.

Advocacy on GBV for different groups.

Campaigning by using media channels.

More coordination between all actors‟ incl. local

authorities, communities, LNGOs and INGOs.

Others

Marginalised communities

Suffer discrimination, poverty,

violence, access to basic services,

etc. GBV is wide spread among

this group.

Integrated interventions

Forming and training of community leaders and

volunteers.

Provide special training for staff working with

marginalised groups.

Local associations should encourage members

from the community to join the associations.

Provide a safe place for those women and

children, who are under permanent risk of

violence

Provision of mental health care‟s especially

for husbands having mental health problems.

Provision of temporary shelter

3.4. General impressions about the organizations working for GBV or VAW

The feedback from the FGD participants concerning the organisations working against GBV is summarised

below:

General

impression

According to FGD participants the associations provide considerable services, which

are not provided by governmental institutions, including; advocacy for women‟s rights

and helping affected women. However, they have limited capacities to cover this

complex problem.

Acceptance

Overall, there is an acceptance for associations working against GBV. There is mutual

respect between the communities and the associations. Some of the community

members don't recognize these services. Instead, they prefer more tangible material

services. Due to the conservative community culture, there are some objections/fears

for these associations to interfere in family issues. GBV is misunderstood by some

people. The associations, especially in Abyan, Aden and Sada‟a expressed fears of

the influence of radical conservative groups, which may affect the acceptance and

their activities.

Make difference

According to the FGDs‟ participants, in general, the association have led to some

improvements including; raising awareness about women‟s rights, change of attitude,

discussion and to some extend reducing GBV.

Survivor respondents suggested that the associations have provided urgent needs and

support and made considerable change in reduction of frequency of GBV directed to

them, especially in the South. In the North, the participants responded that the

associations have provided them with the chance to discuss the sensitive issues such

12

as GBV which was not common to discuss before. However, the challenges are

beyond the capacities of the local associations. Therefore a long term impact is limited.

Expectations

In order to have better impact the associations should provide more integrated

interventions, including; economic empowerment (skill training, livelihood

activities), health and legal assistance

The associations should focus on building capacities in the community to address

GBV including

Forming of community committees

Training of volunteers/ activists to carry out awareness raising, provision of advice

to survivors

Support establishment of community based youth and women‟s centres

Plans for awareness session as per the culture and context of the governorate

Strengthen and develop health services needed to GBV survivors

Advocacy for „Al-Muhamashin‟ internally and externally to be respected and

achieve equal rights and treatment in the community as mentioned by Hajjah

FGDs‟ participants.

Provision and secure shelter for GBV survivors

Strengthening

Coordination

More coordination with the community;

Strengthen involvement of community members in awareness raising

Strengthen and establish coordination with the CBOs and professional groups

(e.g. teachers, health personnel, police, lawyers, etc.)

Establish participatory network at the level of governorates to monitor GBV cases

Involve community in the design of prevention strategies that address root causes

and contributing factors

Establish GBV referral pathways in each governorates and conducting a

mobilization for communities to be aware of the availability of referral model

Establish good relations with imams of mosques to raise the awareness for

communities on GBV and to advocacy more for gender equality and equal

treatment for all and respect of human rights

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4. Conclusions The current conflict caused displacement in most governorates, leading to family separation and economic crisis. The influx of IDPs has affected the income of the people and ultimately led to frustration, including at the family level. As mentioned in the FGDs:

- People have lesser jobs opportunities due to the lack of proper government structures, the war and crisis.

- The unemployment and lack of income has caused frustration, aggressive behaviour and distress. - Also the lack of rule of law has led people to be prone to different types of violence. - Due to the absence or weak structure of police, people are more dependents on personal or local

militias or groups. GBV response and prevention need improvements at different levels. Improving the knowledge of women and girls at the family level in coping with GBV, and door to door awareness covering women rights, children rights, the ability of dealing with internal conflict at the family level and inform especially men about the negative and long term impacts of GBV. When planning for awareness raising, it is important to know and consider the cultural context of a respective community. During the assessment it was found that response to GBV cases can be improved by building the capacity of the community in terms of timely reporting as well as improving the legal sector. There should be strong legal protection for GBV victims including presentation and following up in the courts, but also laws need to be revised and effectively implemented, but even more so women and girls need to be made better aware of their legal rights. The associations also suggested:

- Funding for legal protection should be increased in addition to invest in capacity building of the legal actors.

- For the medical sector, the staff capacity should be built especially in GBV and CMR. - Provision of subsidised medicine for GBV survivors should be ensured. Shelter options should be

improved and increased. - Poverty alleviation programs and the empowerment of women and girls can reduce the prevalence

of VAW and GBV. - In addition, gender equality should be mainstreamed in the education curriculum. Advocacy to

eliminate VAW and ensure GBV prevention and response can reduce GBV. For this purpose, there should be more qualitative and result-oriented coordination efforts among agencies.

Marginalised groups are more subject to violence. Staff and volunteers of different actors engaged in GBV prevention and response activities should specifically be trained in dealing with marginalised groups. The assessment demonstrated a high community acceptance of the associations and organizations working on GBV related issues in the different governorates. The community participants stated that the associations provide good services, especially advocating for women rights and other more sensitive issues. Working on GBV in the context of Yemen is challenging. Some of the people in the communities misunderstand GBV case management services and women rights. There are also some community members who are more interested in more tangible programming rather than services. Due to the increase in radicalization, associations also fear increased retaliations and pressure. The communities also expect associations to provide different services especially referencing to income generation activities. According to the assessment, the associations have led to some improvements. The associations provide the opportunity for communities to discuss sensitive issues. These including raising awareness about women‟s rights, change of attitudes and practices, enable discussion and to some extend contribute to perceived reduction in GBV. Especially in the South, with the efforts of the associations‟ focal points and consultations with survivors, the violence was stated to have reduced by 38%. In the North, the associations have provided communities with the chance to discuss the sensitive issues such as GBV which was not common to discuss before. The associations also provided the chance to bring different subjects to the table and permit for awareness sessions where survivors and community members attended together. It should also be noticed that the country is in a complex crisis and the present situation affects the capacities of the local associations.

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The assessment provided programming suggestions for an improved programing of GBV. The community should be more actively involved in GBV prevention strategies addressing both root causes and contributing factors. The coordination at the community level should be more strengthened. School teachers, health personnel, police and lawyers should be involved at the community level in awareness raising and advocating for GBV. Referral pathways should be strengthened in each governorates and the community should be aware and informed about the referral pathways. The assessment also stressed the potential positive role of imams. Imams could be mobilized in awareness raising, advocating for women and children rights. In addition to GBV services, the associations‟ and organizations are expected to provide more services such as livelihood opportunities, training of community volunteers in addressing GBV, and provision of secure and safe shelter for GBV survivors. Safe spaces at the community level can be created as part of community efforts, such as women or youth centres, where women/girls/youth can share their problems and work together towards solutions and alternatives.