The IRC is recognised globally as a leader in preventing and responding to violence against women. Our comprehensive approach supports the pursuit of the IRC’s broader vision: a world where women and girls live free from violence as valued and respected members of their community. In 25 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, our innovative programmes focus on providing care to women who have experienced violence as well as tackling the root causes of abuse. The five key elements of our work, outlined below, help restore the dignity of survivors, and create economic opportunities for women and girls to rebuild and transform their lives.

Areas of focus

> PROVISION OF SERVICES

Providing essential health services and support to survivors of violence is the bedrock of the IRC’s approach. For women and girls subjected to violence, the ability to access immediate health care and psychological support can make the difference between a life lived with dignity and one lived in shame. Worldwide, the IRC provided support to some 27,000 survivors of violence in 2013 alone.

> VIOlENCE PREVENTION

The IRC tackles the root causes of violence against women. By working with community groups and local institutions, our programmes help to change attitudes and support women and girls to realise their potential, free from violence. In Ivory Coast, the IRC runs Men and Women in Partnership, an innovative programme that engages men in efforts to fight abuse.

> EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRlS

When women have control over resources, it enhances their status in their households and communities, providing more chances to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. The IRC has developed an innovative model called EASE (Economic and Social Empowerment) that gives women financial stability and helps enhance their status in the households. After a successful launch in Burundi, the IRC has implemented EASE programmes in nine countries.

> RESEARCh AND lEARNING

The IRC is committed to developing new and better approaches to respond to and prevent violence against women and girls. In partnership with leading universities and research institutes, we study the effectiveness of our work and apply lessons learned to new projects being developed. The IRC is currently undertaking four cutting-edge research projects across Burundi, Ivory Coast and Congo to reduce domestic violence, empower women, support the recovery of survivors, and change social norms around violence. In 2014, we are starting two major research projects. One targets adolescent girls and aims to reduce their risk to sexual exploitation and abuse, while the second is focused on what works to prevent violence against women and girls in conflict and emergencies.

> ADVOCACy

Ending violence against women requires political action. At the local level, the IRC seeks to empower women and girls to advocate for the changes that will improve their lives. The IRC’s global advocacy teams lobby for the international community to redouble its efforts to prevent and respond to violence. We have been working within the UK government led Call to Action to prioritise women and girls in emergencies, in partnership with other governments, peer organisations and UN agencies.

> CONTINUED

From Harm to Home | Rescue-uk.org | 3 Blomsbury Place, London, WC1A 2QL | +44 (0)20 7692 2727

International Rescue Committee UKWomen’s Protection and Empowerment

From Harm to Home | Rescue-uk.org | 3 Bloomsbury Place, London, WC1A 2QL | +44 (0)20 7692 2727

Learn more

Find out more about International Rescue Committee programmes supporting women and girls. Visit www. Rescue-uk.org/what-we-do/women-and-girls

Find out more about our GBV emergency response and preparedness work at www.gbvresponders.org/

> We run programmes to address violence against women and girls in 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East .

> In 2013 alone we gave support to some 27,000 survivors of violence and educated and trained over 1,270,000 men, women and children in ways to prevent sexual violence.

> In 2013 and 2014 the IRC deployed experts in responding to violence against women and girls to each new humanitarian emergency, including the Philippines, South Sudan, and Central African Republic. We have also continued to ensure that experts in violence against women and girls are present on the ground in the Syria region, where we have been responding to the crisis since 2011.

> We have developed a new programme model for ending the sexual exploitation of girls. The Girl Empower approach is one of the first to address violence against girls in countries affected by conflict. .

> We supported critical learning and evaluation through research projects in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ivory Coast on how economic initiatives for women can reduce their vulnerability to violence in the home.

> In 2014 the IRC embarked upon a five year research project, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), entitled “What works to prevent violence against women and girls in conflict and humanitarian crises”. The project aims to produce rigorous research and evidence on the most effective ways to prevent and respond to violence against women in fragile and conflict affected environments. The countries due to be included in the study will be confirmed in October 2014. Currently DRC, Kenya and South Sudan are under consideration.

> In April 2014, the IRC launched a new DFiD funded project focusing specifically on the needs and vulnerabilities of adolescent girls in humanitarian crises. The project is entitled “Creating a space, raising a voice” and it will seek to improve prevention and response to violence against adolescent girls in humanitarian crises. This will involve life skills training, mentoring activities with the support of older adolescent girls, and engagement with service providers and caregivers to better prioritise and meet the needs of adolescent girls. The project will take place in DRC, Pakistan and Ethiopia.

The IRC restores hope and opportunity for millions of women and girls in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.

The IRC’s programmes supporting women are based across the globe, from South Sudan (left) to Kenya (right).

> International Rescue Committee - Women’s Protection and Empowerment