A/HRC/23/44 UNHCR issued the new Age, Gender and Diversity Policy in June 2011 and accompanying Forward Plan for 2011–2016. These documents were informed by an analysis of key challenges that have hindered UNHCR mainstreaming efforts, including a tendency to treat the displaced as “passive beneficiaries of aid” rather than “equal partners with rights” and the need for proactive leadership and follow-up on the findings of participatory assessment processes integral to age, gender and diversity mainstreaming.19 Progress in mainstreaming also depends on improved coordination between actors 20 and the development of more concrete indicators to assess the implementation of mainstreaming policies. 27. The lack of gender-sensitive budgeting represents a significant obstacle to effective mainstreaming. Presently, many budget processes do not devote adequate attention to gender considerations and budget cuts tend to disproportionately impact areas essential to women. Introduced by IASC in 2009 with a view to increasing gender mainstreaming in the Consolidated Appeals Process, the gender marker tool supports efficient tracking of gender-sensitive funding allocations and promotes the development of projects more attuned to gender considerations. However, mainstreaming gender issues, including the rights and needs of IDW, in budget processes will continue to require more institutional leadership, disaggregated data collection and increased training. 21 28. There is also a need to integrate gender considerations in relevant legislation so as to ensure that the rights of IDW are addressed in legislative processes at national (Parliament) and local levels (local government units). Finally the Special Rapporteur highlights that gender-sensitive planning is another element to consider especially in displacement-affected countries. 3. Addressing key protection issues 29. Advances have been made in addressing some key protection issues, even as many continue under-examined or unresolved. The greatest strides are visible in the area of reproductive health services, mainly owing to the Inter-agency Field Manual on Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Settings, and the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) addressing reproductive health and sexual violence in emergency settings, developed by the Inter-agency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Crises. This manual was revised in 2010 to better encompass IDPs and others affected by humanitarian emergencies better.22 Nonetheless, important gaps remain in the reproductive health response, including the provision of adequate maternal and reproductive health care for women with disabilities and adolescent girls; scaling up systematic and equitable coverage of MISP; and sustaining these services in protracted crisis and the recovery phase. 30. Some progress has also been made in developing guidelines on prevention of and response to SGBV;23 setting standards for the inclusion of sexual violence concerns in peace agreements and ceasefires;24 implementing training programmes to prevent sexual exploitation by peacekeepers and humanitarians; rolling-out monitoring analysis and 19 20 21 22 23 24 10 UNHCR Executive Committee, Report on Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming, EC/59/SC/CRP.14, p. 3. Ibid. IASC, 2012 IASC Gender Marker: Analysis of Results and Lessons Learned. Inter-agency Field Manual on Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Settings; also Martin, “Refugee and Displaced Women”, p. 86. 2005 IASC Guidelines for Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Settings; 2003 UNHCR, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence against Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Guidelines for Prevention and Response. Department of Political Affairs, Guidance for Mediators: Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Ceasefire and Peace Agreements (2012).

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