GENERAL OVERVIEW OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN SOMALIA
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a serious concern, particularly for women and girls in Somalia. The protective environment remains weak for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and civilians affected by the clan conflicts, regions where the military offensives by the AMISOM and Somali National Army against the Al Shabaab took place, regions affected by the floods, forced evictions and where life-saving services are either limited or facing closure due to funding constraints. GBV Information Management System (GBVIMS) continue to show high prevalence of sexual violence, physical assault, and other forms of GBV among women and girls, particularly those living in the IDP settlements.
Between January and August 2015, 84.2% reported GBVIMS cases involved rape, physical assault and sexual assault while rape alone accounted for 18.2% and physical assault 51%. 75% of the survivors are IDPs while 93% of the survivors are female. According to the Food Security and Nutrition Assessment for Somalia released on 31 August 2015, the number of people who face food crisis or emergency increased by 17 per cent, from 731,000 to 855,000. More than two thirds, or 68 per cent, of the people who are in crisis and emergency are internally displaced.
The assessment also highlighted that food insecurity aggravates protection concerns as it regularly results in increased sexual and gender-based violence. The GBV Sub Cluster is the primary body for humanitarian coordination, technical advice and oversight of GBV prevention and response activities in Somalia but has improved close collaboration with the government related ministries and authorities across the country.