REPORT
Expert Meeting
Training Military to Combat Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
24-25 November 2014
Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations
Swedish Armed Forces International Training Centre
Life Guards Regiment, Sweden
On 24 - 25 November 2014, the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations (NCGM)
hosted an Expert Meeting on Training Military to Combat Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
(CRSV). The meeting was held at the NCGM in the Swedish Armed Forces International
Training Centre, Life Guards Regiment, Sweden. The meeting aimed to gather a focused
group of key experts currently working on training, or developing training, for military to
combat sexual violence to share experiences and training materials with the objective of
enhancing effectiveness of such training through peer-learning. The meeting gathered 18
participants, representing UN, NATO, national armed forces, military training institutions,
civil society and academia. The following three expected outputs of the meeting were
achieved;
1. Adoption of key recommendations for effective training in this area
2. A paper documenting main points of discussions and lessons learned
3. A compilation of relevant training materials (presentations, research, training
materials, provided by participants and disseminated by USB to participants)
Annexes to this report:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Adopted recommendations
Meeting agenda
List of participants
Index of collected materials
Monday 24 November
Ms. Linda Engvall, Subject Matter Expert at NCGM and chair of the meeting, welcomed the
experts and highlighted the aim and objectives of the meeting. She noted that the process of
updating NCGM’s own training module on CRSV had resulted in an awareness of the
challenges of training military on this subject and the benefits of learning from available
training programmes and materials. The meeting has gathered a focused group of experts
from a variety of organisations and perspectives to enable dialogue, sharing of experiences
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and concrete recommendations. Ms. Engvall encouraged open and constructive dialogue
during the meeting.
Opening statement
In his opening statement, Col. Christer Tistam, Commander of the Life Guards Regiment,
welcomed the participants. He shared his own experiences as a Commander and how
applying a gender perspective in military operations, through his gender advisors and the
deployment of female soldiers, had led to concrete achievements, including increased access
and dialogue with key leaders. He underlined that conflict-related sexual violence is a grave
violation of human rights and humanitarian law, criminal under international law and could
constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. As we increasingly understand
the extent of sexual violence in conflict, and how it is sometimes used as a tactic of war, it
cannot be ignored as a security threat. Col. Tistam stated that military have a key role in
preventing sexual violence and if military have a mandate to protect civilians they should
protect civilians against sexual violence. Sexual exploitation and abuse by military personnel
must never be tolerated. Col. Tistam answered questions from the participants, providing
advice on how to engage in dialogue with military leadership on the subject of gender.
Maj Linda Johansson, Head of the Capability and Liaison Section at NCGM, gave a brief
introduction to SWEDINT and NCGM history, mandate and training programmes. NCGM
was established in 2012 under the Nordic Defence Cooperation and appointed in 2013 as
NATO Department Head concerning gender. NCGM is a centre within the Swedish Armed
Forces International Centre, SWEDINT.
The participants introduced themselves to the meeting, described their current work in
relation to CRSV, recent achievements and challenges. The present window of opportunity to
make real progress in addressing CRSV, including though military actors, was noted. Key
challenges included how to equip frontline actors with knowledge and clear procedures to
address a very complex issue, how to ensure transparency and accountability in that military
are well trained on the subject, how to affect a cultural shift to enable and motivate military to
act and how to identify and distinguish the civilian, police and military tasks in addressing
CRSV.
Possibilities for the future - UN
Mr. Tonderai Chikuhwa representing the UN Office on the Special Representative on Sexual
Violence in Conflict gave a presentation on the strategic imperative for operationalizing
training on combating CRSV. While progress has been made and the momentum for action is
present, there is a need to look at a more structured and comprehensive security response to
CRSV. Specific areas were discussed where the acknowledgement and action on combatting
CRSV need to be developed, such as; planning and verification of peace processes, ceasefire
agreements and monitoring of these agreements, DDR-processes and planning of DDR-sites.
Mr. Chikuhwa stressed the need for a proper analysis of all the actors on the ground and
appropriate training for all of them. Military personnel’s different tasks and adaptable tools
needs to be further discussed. In relation to this, scenarios and exercises should be tailor2
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made to the area of work, context and mission mandate and include situations such as CRSV
in cease-fire monitoring. The work on combatting CRSV has so far mostly focused on stateactors. Violations made by non-state actors constitute a big challenge; especially in how to
engage and motivate armed groups when lacking knowledge on the hierarchy, order structure
etc. These groups often act in areas were civilian personnel do not have access which
constitute an argument to why military personnel need to be well trained and equipped on
how to combat CRSV. While the roles and responsibilities of military and police in
addressing CRSV are different, there may be experiences and training materials that can be
transferrable. The importance of strengthening the justice system, both civilian and military,
was stressed. Additionally, the important issue of recognition and respect to the survivors was
underlined.
Possibilities for the future – NATO
Ms. Charlotte Isaksson, Gender Advisor at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
(SHAPE) NATO presented specific considerations for the military instrument regarding
engagement, mission mandate, rules of engagement (ROE), development of military
capabilities and respect for humanitarian principles. Ms. Isaksson emphasised the positive
effects of integrating training and tools to combat CRSV into military core tasks, for
example; risk analysis and assessments, monitoring and reporting, upholding safe and secure
environment, maintaining freedom of movement, guarding and escorting, instead of training
as a standalone event. She underlined the value of collaboration between nations when it
comes to training modules on CRSV. The military organisations have commonalities that will
facilitate the process of developing national training. Further she advised to engage the
political, strategic, operational and tactical level in parallel to achieve results. Although
overall training of the organisation is important, so are specialised roles like gender advisors,
women protection advisor etc. Leadership commitment to the issue is crucial for success. As
rules of engagement is often noted as a limited factor for action on CRSV, Ms Isaksson
highlighted that the process of changing rules of engagement and doctrine starts from a
bottom-up procedure where the troops on the ground report up the chain of command what
capacities are needed which leads into a top-down process where the higher levels are
responsible for revising doctrine, mandates, rules of engagements to adjust to the operational
context. Without specified guidelines on how CRSV should be responded to and prevented, it
is much less likely to be done. Mentoring and training local security forces to combat CRSV
requires that you have your own house in order, that is, zero tolerance of sexual exploitation
and abuse.
NCGM training module on CRSV
Ms. Linda Engvall, NCGM, gave a brief overview of courses and seminars organised by
NCGM and how modules on CRSV are integrated. Aspects of CRSV are integrated
throughout the training, including in legal framework and operation planning. In addition,
NCGM has developed a new NCGM four hour module on combatting CRSV which was
presented. The module is used during the two week training courses, and with a shorter three
hours version at the top-level seminars. The module is generic and not context specific as it
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prepares participants for a variety of duty stations. It is a six step module that includes movie
screening with interviews of survivors and perpetrators of sexual violence, lecture, case
studies and presentations, including defusing and closure sessions that was developed with a
psychologist. The module presents terms and definitions, describes sexual violence as a
strategy of war, a strategy within armed groups and as a result of the breakdown of public
order and lists possible military action and accountability. The case studies use a variety of
situations including protection of civilians, capacity building missions and support to DDR.
A key challenge identified was how to provide clear and practical guidance for action in an
area of work that is complex and often not discussed. There may be additional resistance to
analysing and reporting on sexual violence as a security threat to civilians as soldiers may be
unsure what appropriate topics to report on are. Furthermore participants might have own
experience of sexual violence, as survivors or witnesses. Some lessons learned was to create
an open atmosphere, leave room for questions and discussions, if you can’t give specific tasks
- at least map out what is appropriate and what possible actions to take. Evaluations are used
to get feedback on the module and revise. NCGM have also been active in integrating gender
perspectives into civil and military exercises like VIKING 14, Illuminated Summer and
CJSE. A range of interactive methods are used to train on course of actions, including roleplay and virtual reality simulator.
UN Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice
Mr. William Lifongo, UN Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in
Conflict provided examples of practices used in UN peacekeeping missions to prevent sexual
violence; patrolling in areas where women are vulnerable while for instance fetching
firewood and water, patrolling on children’s routes to school, joint protection teams (JPTs)
with military and civilians component sharing and collecting information, quick impact
projects, inclusion of community liaison officers (recruited from local population) into all
brigades. The shift towards more extensive mandates of UN missions might also affect the
willingness of humanitarian actors to cooperate with the mission, as seen after the new Force
Intervention Brigade in MONUSCO. However, the new mandate allowed for use of force
that could offer a higher level of security. Reference was made to the UN publication
“Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence - An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping
Practice”. Participants discussed the need to include examples and guidance also on
addressing sexual violence committed against men and boys.
Review of Scenario-based Trainings for Military Peacekeepers on Prevention and Response
to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
Ms. Susanne Axmacher briefed the meeting on her recent review of the new Scenario-based
Trainings for Military Peacekeepers on Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual
Violence, requested by UN WOMEN and DPKO. The training materials have a general part
at strategic, operational and tactical level and then mission specific information and scenarios
for MINUSTAH, UNOCI and MONUSCO. The review has been well received and led to
revisions in the training materials. Some of the recommendations of the review included
adding a larger bank of scenarios with different types of situations, more geographically and
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thematically varied scenarios (there has recently been new scenarios released from CAR)
elaborated information on underlying psychological, political, socio-economic and gendered
factors and causes of sexual violence, connections to international humanitarian law and
human rights and gender equality, the empowerment of women and how to include male
survivors in the discourse. Training materials should be frequently updated and there should
be refresher training in the mission. How to measure if everyone undergone the mandatory
pre-deployment training was discussed.
DCAFs Best Practices in Teaching Gender to Military
Ms. Megan Bastick from the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces
(DCAF) briefed the meeting on how the requirements of training introduced though UNSCR
1820 had translated into action in military organisations, including through DCAF training
programmes and material and highlighted some important considerations when training on
the subject. Setting up a working group of professional educators, military trainers together
with the gender and humanitarian personnel is often useful to ensure the mix of substance and
effective training methodology. Choosing a capable trainer is essential, as well as to
operationalizing the concepts on sex/gender early on in order to have clarity on appropriate
actions as you go deeper into scenarios. The importance of evaluation and assessment of
different training needs was also emphasized. Mainstreaming gender across curricula and
building on existing training and faculty expertise was seen as an option to ensure specific
training instead of generic modules. Discussants highlighted that scenario-based training may
not be transferrable from UN to NATO context due to the specificity and structure of UN
PKO. Participants saw opportunities in culture awareness training and developing specific
modules on understanding of regional and/or religious contexts such as Sharia law.
PSOTC Generic Curricula
Lt. Col Hazim Hodzic, Head of Training and Education Development Section at the Peace
Support Operations Training Centre (PSOTC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina presented the
Generic Reference Curricula on Training Security Sector on Prevention against Sexual
Violence (PSV). The Curricula has been developed after support from the United Kingdom
and Norway through the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Security of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The purpose of the Curricula is to offer guidance to training designers,
developers and instructors on a possible design and content to train personnel. The
Curriculum, developed as a Training Manual, consists of two parts. The first part offers five
possible PSV Training Module options; as follows: Option1: Senior officials, Option 2:
Military officers and NCO career training, Option 3: Staff PSO training, Option 4: Staff
gender awareness training, Option 5: Individual soldiers and police officers. The second part
consists of set of developed lectures that could be adapted by lecturers when delivering one
of Training Modules mentioned above. It will be delivered in full content during 2015, both
on individual training and collective in English and other languages and can be performed by
an international mobile training team.
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Participants discussed the value of context specific culture, both the military culture, culture
of the host nation and of the sending state. In the training curricula, examples of sexual
violence from the Balkans had been avoided, as it might diffuse the teaching point. The
complexities of training on CRSV while assuming that the training audience carry their own
memories and experiences of the subject was discussed and a suggestion included inviting a
psychologist in the design and implementation of the training.
EUTM Uganda
Maj. Thomas Hernes from the Swedish Armed Forces Centre for Defense Medicine provided
a brief on his experience of training Somali troops in gender awareness as trainer in the EU
Training Mission in Uganda. Hernes’ brief highlighted the necessity of adapting training to
the local context and finding innovative ways to attract and maintain interest in a training
audience with limited experience of formal education. The most important step is to conduct
a thorough target audience analysis. In areas having been in conflict for decades you are
likely to meet soldiers who never been to school and may not susceptible to formal classroom
learning. Alterative learning methods need to be developed. Hernes’ lessons identified
contained using images to illustrate learning points rather than text and to include democracy
and gender perspectives in exercises.
Suggestion for improvement is to have a permanent gender advisor in EUTM missions
instead of outside trainers coming in for a few weeks, in order to monitor, create a continuum
and evaluate how gender is being taught. Participants realised the need to coordinate and
share information on training.
The DRC Action Plan on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Mr. William Lifongo provided an outline of UN support to development of the DRC Action
Plan on Sexual Violence in Conflict. He emphasised the crucial importance of national
ownership of the process and the significance of initiatives and actions coming from within,
otherwise posing a risk for sustainability after international support ends. The process of
developing the plan was politically sensitive due to the international attention to widespread
sexual violence in the DRC. However, in the process, many achievements were made,
including Commanders taking on responsibility for the leadership role in signing a code of
conduct which included provisions on mandatory reporting of any cases of sexual violence.
The value of strengthening authorities’ communication to the public on progress and
challenges was also highlighted as well as increasing support to protection of survivors and
witnesses. To ensure accountability, a follow-up mechanism must be in action. Furthermore
training must be streamlined and become more transparent in order to know who has been
trained in what. The largest challenges are reaching the most insecure areas to train in
combatting sexual violence. Operations are always prioritised over training leading to
soldiers in the most insecure areas rarely being trained. The security of alleged perpetrators
and fair trial standards was also brought up as a relevant issue to discuss.
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The day was summarised up by NCGM Analyst Ms. Annika Berg, bringing up the key points
discussed.
Tuesday 25 November
Progress and lessons learned from UK
Lt. Col Katie Knell started off day two by providing insight in the work being conducted by
the UK Armed Forces concerning gender and CRSV. Support to gender training has been
conducted in Uganda for AMISOM and in Libya with different levels of success, which was
discussed. The UK has also been instrumental in supporting the PSOTC in Sarajevo in
developing new training materials. The value of context specific training was highlighted
with practical examples of using pictures from the area and inviting religious leaders to
participate in human rights training. The training material “English for Preventing Sexual
Violence in Conflict - A Practical Guide for UN Peacekeepers” was presented and shared
among participants. The UK focuses the training on engaging chain of commands and raising
awareness at the leadership level for strategic effect. A crucial factor for success identified
was changing overall attitudes within the armed forces to addressing CRSV and including a
gender perspective in operations. Training leadership and initiating coaching programmes
with sharing of experiences from other armed forces and mission areas may be one avenue to
explore.
NATO Guidelines
Lt. Col Jesus Ignacio Gil Ruiz, Gender Advisor at the International Military Staff, NATO HQ
briefed the meeting on the current work of developing NATO military guidelines to prevent
and respond to conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence. The work derives from the
NATO NATO/EAPC Action Plan for the Implementation of the NATO/EAPC Policy on
Women, Peace and Security. The term “conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence” is
currently being defined and the guidelines are due to be developed in early 2015. The
guidelines aim to clarify terms and definitions and making sure soldiers are trained on the
right things and right tasks. Pre-deployment training is owned by the nations and the
guidelines exist to streamline this training. The guidelines will require approval by NATO
and partners member states. The guidelines are likely to address reporting structures, what to
report on, commanders’ role in ensuring relevant action and to have a comprehensive focus
including links to human rights, humanitarian law and protection of civilians. E-learning and
scenario-based training were identified as enabling tools for nations to ensure pre-deployment
training. Lt Col Gil Ruiz noted that the expert meeting and dialogue with variety of actors
was highly useful to inform the process. The inclusion of measures for prevention and the
scope of the guidelines were discussed.
Common myths around sexual violence in conflict - gaps and use of existing research
Dr. Maria Eriksson Baaz from the Nordic Africa Institute presented her research which
provides a broader understanding of CRSV, expanding the current focus on the strategic use
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of sexual violence in conflict to also include sexual violence committed for other purposes.
There is a significant gap between research and policy where existing research is not put to
use. Even though useful in gaining political attention and momentum, using the terminology
rape as a weapon of war might hamper how to approach, train and act against CRSV as a
significant part of conflict-related sexual violence occur for other reasons. Dr. Eriksson Baaz
also encouraged participants to reflect on mind set and motivations of the perpetrators to
design prevention strategies, noting that soldiers from armed groups often suffer from PTSD
from surviving abuse themselves. There is a great variation on the occurrence of sexual
violence and research shows that the longer an armed unit is deployed in the same area, fewer
rapes are committed. Training need to adapt to evidence-based research and should be
adapted to each context.
Where does Conflict-Related Sexual Violence against Men fit?
Dr. Chris Dolan, Director of the Refugee Law Project expanded the subject further by
highlighting the prevalence of CRSV against men and boys. He showed that the number of
male victims today is a lot higher than earlier expected. Despite some uncertainty in the
numbers, statistics show that 39 per cent of Congolese women and 23 per cent of Congolese
men have been victims of sexual violence. Awareness of male victims is often low and
resources and aid are often tied to project concerning female survivors. Many cases are also
categorized as torture and not sexual violence. As national legislation may not criminalize
rape of men, broader definition of rape would change statistics. UNSCR 2106 is important
since it is the first resolution to bring up sexual violence against boys and men. This has been
followed by progress in including men and boys in the protection mechanisms, as seen at the
Global Summit in London, where all speakers made reference to women, men, girls and boys
in relation to sexual violence in conflict. Despite challenges, there is a current momentum in
recognizing CRSV against men and boys. The SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict has also
organised Workshop on Sexual Violence against Men and Boys in Conflict Situations and
there are plans of revising guidelines for humanitarian actors’ protection to include men and
boys. Several participants reflected on how the perspectives of men and boys have been
neglected and appreciated the reminder.
Thematic discussions
The participants were divided into groups discussing three different themes which were then
reported back to plenary.
Theme 1: What are the key principles for military action to combat CRSV which should be
included in training?
Training must originate from specific military tasks and possible actions a soldier/officer can
undertake in the mission area. For instance they should not become experts on investigation
since this task belongs to someone else. Instead monitoring, reporting and referring should be
in focus. Joint protections teams should be used when appropriate. Protection could be
ensured by different tasks such as patrolling, physical presence, escorting vulnerable groups
to market once a day etc. Military organisations might also be available to providing security
for humanitarian actors. It is useful to consider level of knowledge medical personnel should
have so that they are capable of providing emergency medical care for survivors of sexual
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violence if and when needed. Although investigating and documenting sexual violence is a
task for specially trained personnel, military may have a role in providing security or
cordoning off an area. Therefore, it may be relevant for such staff to have a basic awareness
of what evidence could be important to protect and what actions can be taken without
interfering with the crime-scene. There should always be an established mechanism for
collaboration with local actors, NGOs, local police etc.
Theme 2: Training needs analysis, methodology and target audience analysis – what
motivates a soldier to learn and implement learning on CRSV?
The group discussed the importance of having long-term solutions, taking into consideration
how soldiers and officers are educated throughout their entire career, instead of training on
gender and combatting CRSV coming in at a late stage when deploying to mission areas or in
stand-alone sessions. The mandatory pre-deployment training needs to be monitored and
streamlined. One solution could be to dedicate more resources to in-theatre training for troop
contributing countries. Learning objectives must to a greater extent be linked to missionmandate, culture, context and possible tasks. Personnel used to train the troops and can make
assessments of what they need to learn to become better soldiers, should conduct in-theatre
training on gender and CRSV. Senior leaders need to be prioritised and motivated through
coaching programmes. The close rotations of personnel in to mission areas pose a challenge
with the difficulty in measuring who has what level of knowledge. The value of training by
regional organisations and strengthening national structures and capacity to train was
underlined.
Theme 3: Creating an enabling environment – how to ensure curricula leads to
consequences. Leadership, accountability, institutional understanding and measuring
effect on CRSV
Knowledge on gender and combatting CRSV should be integrated in job descriptions,
making it a merit having these skills in promotion processes. Senior leaders from different
countries with conflict of differing stages could be connected in order to discuss benefits on
combatting CRSV. High-level seminars are also perceived as a positive way to change
attitudes and learn from each other. Combatting CRSV should be seen as a leadership issue
since the orders need to come from the top and trickle down. Commanders need to be held to
account for lacking initiatives of combatting CRSV. Indicators of leadership level should be
included when measuring the outcome of gender training, meaning more qualitative
indicators must be developed. Actions to combat CRSV beyond training, such as necessary
doctrines, tools and structures, must also be discussed and developed. CRSV cannot be
prevented and responded to by training alone.
PSVI – the way forward after the London Summit
Ms. Caroline Vaudrey, from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and representing the
Prevention of Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI), gave an outline of the way forward after the
Global Summit to end Sexual Violence in Conflict, held in London in June 2014. The
Summit held high level panels on a range of subjects, including two on peacekeeping.
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One of the key outcomes of the summit was the launch of the International Protocol on the
Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict. The next steps will be to
make the Protocol more accessible including training modules for lawyers and international
prosecutors; it is already translated into several languages. Protection for human right
defenders i.e. to lift administrative or legal restrictions to their work and investigate
allegations of violations against them quickly is also prioritized. Incorporation into military
doctrines and peacekeeping mandates will be prioritised, emphasising the need for specialist
personnel such as gender field advisors, women protection advisors, gender focal points in
the right position and at the right grade etc. Lastly the UK is working with countries to
sign/ratify/implement the Rome Statute of the Geneva Convention to ensure that international
jurisdiction applies so States can investigate and prosecute perpetrators of any nationality for
crimes committed outside their jurisdiction which reduces the prevalence of ‘safe havens’.
One of the peacekeeping outcomes from the Summit was that there is a need for deploying
more female peacekeepers in front-line positions. Another was that Troop Contributing
Countries should be do more to investigate and prosecute their nationals accused of SEA
allegations and troop-contributing countries must also be able to show the personnel have
obtained education in this as well as on preventing and responding to conflict related sexual
violence. The full report of the summit will be released in 2015, complementing the Chairs’
summary which is currently available.
US Africa Command Training handbook
Ms. Elizabeth Lape, US Joint Staff J7, Individual Training and Learning Branch, introduced
the advance copy of the training material “Preparing to Prevent Conflict Related Sexual
Violence Mitigation” developed by the Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute at the
U.S. Army War College in conjunction with U.S. Africa Command. It is intended for military
leaders and trainers who have to consider conflict-related sexual violence in the context of
peacekeeping missions. The material is scenario-based and starts of with an introduction
followed by legal background ending up with eight different scenarios with connected
questions. The participants noted as positive the range of different scenarios and the
consultative process of developing the training materials, in which many regional experts had
been involved .
Recommendations
Based on the presentations and discussions during the day, draft recommendations were
presented to the participants, who were provided time to review them individually. Each part
of the draft was then discussed in plenary, revised and finally adopted by all. Please find the
adopted recommendations attached. The participants were encouraged to stay connected and
also to share the outcome to all who may be interested.
Annexes:
1. Adopted recommendations
2. Meeting agenda
3. List of participants
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RECOMMENDATIONS ON TRAINING MILITARY TO COMBAT
CONFLICT-RELATED SEXUAL VIOLENCE
25 November 2014
Life Guards Regiment, Sweden
Conflict-related sexual violence is a threat to the life, safety and the physical and mental wellbeing of women, men, girls and boys, a cause and consequence of conflict, a possible threat
to peace and security and destructive to the stability of communities.
We, the participants of the Expert Meeting on Training Military to Combat Conflict-Related
Sexual Violence1, hosted by the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations (NCGM) at
the Life Guards Regiment in Sweden, 24-25 November 2014, adopt the following
recommendations;
Key principles for military action to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence
which should be included in training
1. Military actors should undertake measures to prevent and respond to sexual violence
in all operations, including but not limited to when they act within the mandates of
protection of civilians, capacity building of national security forces and in monitoring
cease-fires and peace agreements. Such measures may include the range of actions as
exemplified in the UN publication “Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice”.
2. Military action to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence should be
conducted within the framework of the comprehensive approach. This requires
coordination, communication and understanding of the different roles and
responsibilities of military, police and civilian actors.
3. Military actors should establish a mechanism for monitoring and reporting on
conflict-related sexual violence as a regular aspect of analysis, security assessments
1
The meeting takes note of the different concepts and definitions, including sexual and gender-based violence.
These recommendations will focus on conflict-related sexual violence, as defined by the UN and framed in UN
Security Council resolutions 1820, 1888, 1960 and 2106.
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4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
and day-to-day operations and should share relevant information with other protection
actors, as appropriate.
Military action should be based upon human rights principles including respect for
survivors dignity, privacy and own will.
Military operational planning process2 should consider measures to prevent and
respond to conflict-related sexual violence based on an analysis of the situational
context and gender perspectives including; gender and age of victims, gender and age
of perpetrators, high-risk situations, local services, coping and support mechanisms,
capacity and responses of local formal and informal security and service providers.
Military actors should be prepared to address different forms of conflict-related sexual
violence and to recognize that women, men, girls and boys can be victims, as well as
perpetrators.
Where appropriate, military actors could facilitate contact with non-state actors to
create an enabling environment for discussions on commitments to address conflictrelates sexual violence.
Military actors should be aware of its role in support of the International Protocol on
the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Creating an enabling environment
9. Military personnel, in particular those designated to be deployed to operations, should
undergo mandatory training on identifying, preventing and responding to conflictrelated sexual violence, including specialists’ training, pre-deployment training and
refresher training in theatre.
10. Key leaders and Commanding Officers should be accountable to ensure that troops
are trained on preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence and take
all possible measures to prevent it.
11. Training and education on preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual
violence should be an integral part of an institutional framework including career
development, coaching programs and criteria for promotion and staff assessment.
12. In-house capacity for training and education on conflict-related sexual violence within
armed forces should be strengthened, at each level and branch, to improve
professionalism, ownership, credibility and sustainability. Training needs analysis
should be based on the mandate and military tasks that the training audience will
perform in the area of operation.
13. All missions and troop contributing countries should be required to report publicly on
what training their troops have received, including qualitative and quantitative data,
and an accountability mechanism should be set up to ensure compliance.
14. Zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse must be enforced at all time as it
causes harm to the local population and undermines mission credibility and
operational effectiveness. Immediate action must be taken against personnel who have
been found to violate codes of conduct or tolerate violations by subordinates. Signing
pledges or code of conduct should be encouraged.
15. There is a need to develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the
impact of training military to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence.
Training design and development
2
Applicable on strategic, operational and tactical levels.
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16. Training for military on conflict-related sexual violence and gender perspectives
should give clear examples of appropriate courses of action, set within the military
mandate, operational considerations and rules of engagement.
17. Training should be scenario-based, including but not limited to a diversity of
situations such as protection of civilians, capacity-building programs, ceasefire
monitoring and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and provide the
context military operate within such as mandate, rules of engagement, concept of
operations and commanders’ intent.
18. Interactive training techniques should be used to re-create the situation for which the
soldier prepares, for example syndicate work, role play, online training, virtual reality
simulators, theatre groups and locally available training methods.
19. Training on conflict-related sexual violence should be coordinated among actors,
particularly training provided to the same nations or within the same region. In this
spirit, all information on training programs and the training materials should be
accessible.
20. There should be specific training and coaching programs designed for key leaders and
commanders, including Force Commanders, Special Representatives of the SecretaryGeneral and their deputies, with guidance on the responsibilities and accountability of
decision-makers and leaders.
21. Target audience analysis should consider military staffs’ attitudes, motivation and
specific interests, such as national pride and military ethos. It should also take note of
cultural, religious and historical considerations concerning the target audience and
how these affect training.
22. Trainers should consider the psychological effects of training on participants who
may have own experiences related to sexual violence, sexual assault and sexual
exploitation and abuse and prepare support accordingly.
The following organizations participated in the Expert Meeting:
UN Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
NATO International Military Staff (IMS)
NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)
Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)
Peace Support Operations Training Centre (PSOTC), Bosnia and Herzegovina
Refugee Law Project
The Nordic Africa Institute
US Joint Staff J7
Swedish Armed Forces Centre for Defence Medicine
Prevention of Sexual Violence Initiative, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office
UK Stabilization Support Group
Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations
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Expert Meeting
Training Military to Combat Conflict-related Sexual Violence
24-25 November 2014
El Salvador Conference Room
Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations
Swedish Armed Forces International Training Centre
Life Guard Regiment, Sweden
AGENDA
As revised during the meeting
8:00 – 9:00
9:00 – 9:10
9:10 – 9:30
Monday 24 November
Registration and Coffee
Welcome remarks
Opening Statement
9:30 – 9:35
9:35 – 9:45
9:45 – 9.50
9:50 – 10:30
10:30 – 10:40
10:40 – 11:10
Break
NCGM presentation
Administrative briefing
Participants’ introduction
Break
Enhancing military capabilities to combat sexual
violence in conflict – the strategic imperative for
operationalizing training
11.10 – 11.15
11:15 – 11:45
Break
Specific considerations for the military instrument
regarding engagement, mission mandate, ROE,
development of military
capabilities and respect for humanitarian principles.
11:45 – 12:00
Combatting sexual violence through NCGM
training programs
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 13:30
Lunch (VIP lunchroom)
UN Peacekeeping - New developments in training
on CRSV
13:30 – 13:50
13:50 – 14:05
14:05 – 14:35
14:35 - 14:55
Best practises in teaching gender to military
Break
PSOTC Generic Reference Curricula on Training
Security Sector on PSV
EUTM Somalia – lessons learned
14:55 – 15:15
15:15 – 15:45
Break
Developing the DRC Action Plan on Sexual
Ms. Linda Engvall, NCGM
Col. Christer Tistam, Commander
Life Guard Regiment
Maj. Linda Johansson, NCGM
Lt. Lennart Rahmberg, NCGM
Mr. Tonderai Chikuhwa,
UN OSRSG SVC
Ms. Charlotte Isaksson, NATO
SHAPE GENAD
Ms. Linda Engvall, NCGM
Mr. William Lifongo, UN OSRSG
SVC
Ms. Susanne Axmacher, MSB
Ms. Megan Bastick, DCAF
Lt. Col. Hazim Hodzic, PSOTC
Maj. Thomas Hernes, SAF
Mr. William Lifongo,
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15:45 - 16:00
16:00 – 16:30
18:30 – 20:00
Violence in Conflict and the role of training
military
Break
Summary of key points of the day
Dinner at Officers’ Mess
8:00 – 8:15
8:15 – 8:30
Tuesday 25 November
Group photo
Progress and lessons learned from UK
8:30 – 8:50
11:00 – 11:15
11:15 – 12:00
Briefing on developing NATO Military Guidelines
on Conflict-related SGBV
Common myths around sexual violence in conflict gaps and use of existing research
Where does Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
against Men fit?
Break
THEMATIC DISCUSSIONS
Theme 1: What are they key principles for military
action to combat CRSV which should be included
in training?
Theme 2: Training needs analysis, methodology
and target audience analysis –what motivates a
soldier to learn and implement learning on CRSV?
Theme 3: Creating an enabling environment - how
to ensure curricula leads to consequences.
Leadership, accountability, institutional
understanding and measuring effect on CRSV.
Break
Report back to plenary
12:00 – 13:00
13:00 – 13:20
Lunch (VIP lunchroom)
PSVI – the way forward after the London Summit
13:20 – 13:40
New training material by US AFRICOM
13:40 – 15:50
13:50 -14:20
14:20 – 16:20
Presentation of inventory of relevant materials
Coffee and review of draft recommendations
Adoption of draft recommendations
16:20 – 16:30
Closing session
8:50 – 9:10
9:10 – 9:30
9:30 – 9:45
9:45 – 11:00
UN OSRSG SVC
Ms. Annika Berg
Lt. Col. Katie Knell, UK
Stabilization Support Group
Lt. Col Jesus Ignacio Gil Ruiz,
NATO IMS
Dr. Maria Eriksson Baaz, NAI
Dr. Chris Dolan, RLP
Syndicate work
Ms. Caroline Vaudrey, PSVI
Secretariat, UK
Ms. Elizabeth Lape, US Joint Staff
J7
Ms. Li Hammar
Ms. Linda Engvall
Ms. Annika Berg
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Expert Meeting on Training Military to Combat Conflict-related Sexual Violence
24-25 Nov. 2014
PARTICIPANTS
Title
Name
1.
Mr. Tonderai
Chikuhwa
Mr. William Lifongo
Team Leader Programmes
Chief of the IMS Office of the
Gender Advisor
Gender Advisor
6.
Lt. Col Jesus Ignacio
Gil Ruiz
Ms. Charlotte
Isaksson
Ms. Caroline
Vaudrey
Lt. Col. Katie Knell
7.
Ms. Megan Bastick
8.
Ms. Susanne
Axmacher
Lt. Col. Hazim
Hodzic
Dr. Chris Dolan
Ms. Vanja Matic
Dr. Maria Eriksson
Baaz
Ms. Elizabeth Lape
2.
3.
4.
5.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14. Maj. Thomas Hernes
15. Maj. Linda
Johansson
16. Ms. Linda Engvall
17. Ms. Li Hammar
18. Ms. Annika Berg
Programme Officer
Protection - Sexual Violence
Peacekeeping Team
Senior Military Reservist
Officer
Deputy Chair NATO Committee
on Gender Perspectives
Gender and Security Fellow
Gender Advisor
Head of Training and Education
Development Section
Director
Coordinator/Gender SME
Senior Researcher/Associate
Professor
Education Specialist/GS-14
Deputy
Head of Development of
Military Medical Capabilities
Head of Capability and Liaison
Section
Subject Matter Expert – Human
Rights, Humanitarian Law, UN
Liaison Officer
Analyst
Institution
UN Office of the Special Representative of the
Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
UN Office of the Special Representative of the
Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
NATO - International Military Staff (IMS)
NATO, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
(SHAPE)
Prevention of Sexual Violence Initiative, UK Foreign
and Commonwealth office
UK Stabilization Support Group
Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed
Forces (DCAF)
Attending in her own capacity as consultant
conducting review of training materials
Peace Support Operations Training Centre (PSOTC),
Sarajevo
Refugee Law Project
Attending in her own capacity as lecturer
The Nordic Africa Institute
US Joint Staff J7, Individual Training and Learning
Branch
Swedish Armed Forces Centre for Defense Medicine
Trainer on gender in EU TM for Somali Troops
Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations
Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations
Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations
Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations
16
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Research and Other
Into The Mainstream: Addressing Sexual Violence Against Men And Boys In Conflict
A briefing paper prepared for the workshop held at the Overseas Development Institute,
London, 14 May 2014
Dr Chris Dolan
Fighting for Gender Equality: Why Security Sector Actors Must Combat Sexual and
Gender-Based Violence
Charlotte Isaksson
Gender in NATO at a Glance
DCAF lists important documents in NATO, UN DPKO and DCAF
Gender Relations, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence And The Effects Of Conflict On
Women And Men In North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Results from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES), Promundo,
Sonke Justice
International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in
Conflict
Basic Standards of Best Practice on the Documentation of Sexual Violence as a Crime under
International Law
NATO Bi-SC Directive 40-1 (rev. 1)
Policy Paper on Sexual and Gender Based Crimes
International Crime Court, the Office of the Prosecutor
Report of Workshop on Sexual Violence against Men and Boys in Conflict Situations
Office of the United Nations, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual
Violence in Conflict
Review of the Practical Implications of UNSCR 1325 for the Conduct of NATO-led
Operations and Missions
NCGM, NATO, FOI
Wartime Sexual Violence, Misconceptions, Implications and Ways Forward
United States Institute of Peace, Dara Kay Cohen, Amelia Hoover Green, and Elisabeth Jean
Wood
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Training Materials
AU
AU Gender Training Manual for African Union Peace Support Operations
Women, Gender and Development Directorate at the African Union Commission with
support from UN Women and AU/UNDP
DCAF
After Action Report - Gender Responsive Evaluation in Military Education
Fourth workshop on teaching gender to the military
Annex D (After Action Report), Gender responsive Course Evaluations
Best Practice Teaching Gender to the Military
Checklist for Gender Curriculum Review
Gender Training for the Security Sector, Lessons Identified and Practical Resources
Integrating a Gender Perspective into Internal Oversight within Armed Forces
DCAF and OCSE
Sample Lesson Plans for Teaching Gender to the Military
Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict Global Overview and Implications, For the Security
Sector
Megan Bastick, Karin Grimm, Rahel Kunz
EU
Even Wars have Limits. IHL Training Material EUTM Mali
Cynthia Petrigh, Beyond Peace
NCGM
PPP Conflict Related Sexual and Gender Based Violence, GFA Course
Linda Engvall
NCGM UNSCRs Reading Guide for Military Aug 2014
Other
English for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict - A Practical Guide for UN
Peacekeepers
Scenario-based training aimed at teaching UN Military Peacekeepers English language to
prevent and respond to sexual violence in conflict zones
British Council, British Embassy Jakarta
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PSOTC
Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict Generic Reference Curriculum for Training
in Security Sector
Peace Support Operations Traing Centre, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Suggested programme, as basis for future courses (Matrix on Content and References)
Megan Bastick and Lt Col Kathie Knell.
PSVI
Excel file – Summary of Training Resources
 Cover Letter to the Summary of Compiled Resources for PSVI website
 Aim and Description
PSVI Resources – Two folders
Collected from CDs provided by Katie Knell. Inventory lists in the folders.
Refugee Law Project
Resource Pack - November 2014. Working With Men & Boys on Sexual & Gender
Violence Issues
Sexual Violence In Armed Conflict, Global Overview and Implications
For the Security Sector
UN
CD-ROM – Prevention & response to conflict-related sexual violence (Test Copy)






Instructor Manuals
Presentations for tactical, operational and strategic audiences (PPT and text)
Scenarios (English and translations)
Videoclips
Annexes
Additional material
Folder: DPKO - UNWOMEN Scenario Based Training Materials (Pervious Version)
Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence an Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping
Practice
UNWOMEN
Analytical & Conceptual Framing of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict. Stop Rape Now
Guidelines Integrating a Gender Perspective into the Work of the United Nations
Military in Peacekeeping Operations
DPKO/DFS
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Integrating a Gender Perspective into the Work of the United Nations Military in
Peacekeeping Operations - Module 1B: Operational Level
DPKO/DFS
Integrating a Gender Perspective into the Work of the United Nations Military in
Peacekeeping Operations - Module 1C: Tactical Level
DPKO/DFS
Module 5 - Prevention & Responses to Conflict-related Sexual Violence
UN Protection of Civilians
PPP on Gender and Peacekeeping – Introduction
UNWOMEN
PPP on Gender and Peacekeeping – The impact of Conflict on Women and Men
UNWOMEN
PPP on Gender and Peacekeeping – The Impact of Peacekeeping on Gender Roles and
Relations
UNWOMEN
PPP on Women Peace and Security - The Normative Framework
UNWOMEN
Review of Scenario-based Trainings for Military Peacekeepers on Prevention and
Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
Stop Rape Now – UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict. Consultant Susanne
Axmacher
Specialised Training Materials Prevention and response to CRSV
Overview of training packages
UNIT 3 – PART 1C: Women, Peace and Security: The Role of UN Peacekeeping
Operations
UN Peacekeeping PDT Standards, Core Pre Deployment Training Materials, 1 st ed. (2009)
Working With Men and Boy Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Forced
Displacement. Need to Know Guidance
UNHCR
US Africa Command
Preparing to Prevent. Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Mitigation - Scenario-Based
Training
United States Africa Command
20
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Presentations
Charlotte Isaksson
Chris Dolan
Lt. Col Hazim Hodzic
Katie Knell
Linda Engvall – Intro
Linda Engvall – Training
Maria Eriksson Baaz
Megan Bastick
Susanne Axmacher
Thomas Hernes
William Lifongo
21
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