US Mission Geneva

Recognizing the link between gender-based violence (GBV) and global HIV/AIDS, the United States, through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has committed an additional $30 million to support three partner countries – Tanzania, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo – in scaling up GBV prevention and response efforts.

Affirmative action is the law in Uganda’s local governments. Although women are members of local councils, their voices are often not heard because they are either overshadowed by their male peers or they lack the experience, confidence, and knowledge of the governing process.

For nearly two decades Childline has worked to prevent violence and abuse, offering educational, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to children and their families. With centers in six cities and projects in seven provinces, Childline has become a lifeline for South African communities.

Four years ago, imams (Islamic religious leaders) in the south-western village of Chakoria began receiving training to mobilize their communities to combat trafficking under the USAID-funded Bangladesh Human Rights Advocacy Program.

For an Acehnese woman in a conservative society, Nur is remarkably forthright when analyzing her life choices. “I think I knew I could take a position of leadership as far back as junior high school.

USAID supports gender integration in all its programs. However, in order to increase women’s abilities to pursue and protect their legal rights, in 2003 USAID launched the “Women’s Legal Rights Initiative” in India in partnership with IFES. Working with Indian NGOs, the program uses multiple interventions such as legal aid, legal literacy, advocacy, public information, [...]

Founded in 1987 by two women whose daughters died for failing to meet the expectations of their in-laws, Shakti Shalini is a USAID-supported shelter and haven for women fleeing domestic violence and exploitation.

Maryam was just 6 years old when two women led her into the bush near her home and held her down, ordering her not to scream. One of the last images she recalls before the razor sliced into her was one of the women giving her a conspiratorial wink. “I think she was trying to tell me to get ready for the pain,” said Maryam, who believed the ensuing years of frequent infections and psychological distress were simply part of being a Muslim woman.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is of increasing concern in Bolivia, where 6 out 10 women and 3 out of 10 men report having experienced violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Frustrated with the alarming rate of GBV, community leaders launched the Avances de Paz (Advances of Peace) project, implemented from June 2006 to 2008.