Peace and Security

Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most obvious expressions of unequal gender relations in a society. It is a grave violation of human rights with detrimental effects on individuals, families and societies. GBV is both an expression of unequal gender relations, and a means through which these are upheld, both a consequence and a cause of gender inequality. GBV has significant costs for individuals, their families and immediate surroundings, as well as for communities, businesses, the development of countries and their possibilities of reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.
This technical note gives an overview of what GBV is and how Sida works to prevent and respond to GBV. It includes relevant international commitments and policy frameworks, areas for dialogue with partners, stakeholders and other donors, as well as forms of GBV. GBV is an area of high priority for Swedish development cooperation. Work to prevent and respond to GBV is mainly done within the thematic areas of gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), peace and conflict and humanitarian assistance. Therefore, this technical note aims to incorporate GBV from these four areas.

Stabilisation is sometimes understood as a broad term that encompasses support to durable peace and security. At other times stabilisation refers to a particular type of comprehensive external interventions, also called “stabilisation facilities” or “stabilisation missions”. This Technical Note explains both of these broad usages of the term. The objective is not primarily conceptual, but rather to provide some helpful advice in the form of key questions to consider in order to tackle the particular opportunities, challenges and risks raised in relation to stabilisation and stabilisation facilities through Sida’s existing tools and approaches.