International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women-Minister Kitt announces funding to combat Gender-Based Violence
Michael Kitt TD, Minister of State for Overseas Development, today announced Irish Aid funding of €750,000 to tackle Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Making the announcement Minister Kitt described Gender Based Violence as “a scourge which is particularly acute in societies undergoing conflict or in the immediate aftermath of conflict. It forms a barrier to the achievement of women’s rights and the reduction of poverty.” He went on to say:
“It is appropriate that this package is being announced today - the 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This is a priority issue for Irish Aid. Ireland plays a key role in supporting and participating in the Irish Joint Consortium on Gender-Based Violence.”
The Joint Consortium on Gender-Based Violence came together in late 2004 as a response to increasing international concern about the overwhelming problem of gender based violence in Darfur. Consortium members include Irish development, humanitarian and human rights agencies and the Irish Defence Forces. The members of the Consortium have undertaken initiatives to improve their capacity to respond to the issue of gender-based violence and to make a real difference. A recent World Health Organisation survey in Liberia found that almost 75 per cent of respondents were raped during the 1991-2002 conflict. A 2004 report in Cote d’Ivoire found that two women out of every five had been victims of rape.
Note for Editor:
The package of support is for two agencies; the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Malawi Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (MCCJP).
The IRC is a recognised global leader in GBV programming, research and best practice. IRC is a respected and valued partner of Irish Aid and has previously received funding for programmes in Darfur, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone. This particular package has support for country programmes in Cote D’Ivoire and Liberia and a Regional Programme that takes in Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The IRC programmes are targeted at improved survivor support, increased capacity of institutions in the two countries and in the Region to respond to GBV, and strengthened state efforts to eliminate violence against women.
The Malawi Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (MCCJP) is another key partner of Irish Aid in our newest programme country. The objectives for the support to MCCJP are increased capacity building and advocacy work in combating gender based violence and for the promotion of gender equality.
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Press
25/11/07
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