The date chosen marks the adoption of the Security Council resolution condemning s. Somalia has long experienced conflict and instability, worsened by climatic shocks, including droughts, floods and cyclones. Many live in camps for internally displaced people IDPs. In , the United Nations reported an alarming increase in conflict-related sexual violence in Somalia.
This included the use of sexual violence and forced marriage by non-state actors, as well as attacks attributed to government forces and clan militia. Alongside sexual violence as a weapon of war, drought, displacement and instability exacerbate existing inequalities and vulnerabilities and undermine protection mechanisms, heightening risks of sexual and gender-based violence SGBV.
The same conflict, instability and disasters that have caused people to flee their homes also disrupt health and psychosocial support services, which are essential for survivors of SGBV. This includes supporting the integration of SGBV prevention and response within health programmes, improving case management and referral services for survivors, as well as promoting coordination between partners and providing information and training on preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
WHO as the cluster lead agency is supporting the Health Cluster in Somalia to establish a funding scheme and mentorship programme for the integration of SGBV response activities within health outreach. Throughout , on-the-job capacity development for implementing health and SGBV projects was provided culminating in a now annual workshop where partners meet to share experiences and get opportunities for peer-to-peer support. Overall, over women and girls have been reached by Health Cluster partners since , with SGBV services, including services for the clinical management of rape.
Further, the Health Cluster worked closely with the gender-based violence area of responsibility to identify supply gaps between Health Cluster partners, when the COVID pandemic caused disruptions in the supply chain, leading to a shortage of post-exposure prophylaxis kits a crucial component of post-rape care to prevent the survivor from contracting HIV within the country.
