UNFPA, IOM, UN Women Support Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Female Survivors of Violence

Delegates from Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, Palestine and Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, attended the conference, supported by UNFPA, UN Women and IOM. The participants discussed and shared the lessons learnt, the road to recovery for survivors of gender-based violence, and the importance of applying the survivor-based approach for effective response to gender-based violence.

Guest panellists from the Arab countries presented their countries’ progress regarding the UN resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Representatives of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region shared the national and regional policies and legislation to help survivors of gender-based violence, including the Law on Support to Female Yazidi Survivors.

Several survivors, including survivors of sexual violence in war, shared their stories. They highlighted the importance and impact of mental health and psychosocial support in their journeys to recovery and reintegration into society.

The meeting resulted in recommendations for strengthening women representation, building platforms for implementing 1325 Resolution, and improving legislation to combat violence against women ensuring survivors centred approach.