The non-governmental sector has a crucial role to play in terms of addressing the issue of sexual violence. For example at the community level, CBOs and NGOs can explore and raise the extent of the problem. They can develop and implement specific educational and advocacy activities.

Concerns relating to violence together with its prevention and the mitigation of its consequences can be integrated within ongoing development activities for example those relating to human rights, governance, gender, sustainable livelihoods, social welfare and health, micro-financing and credit.

At the national level, advocacy activities may be necessary to raise awareness of the problem, to highlight the barriers which impede the justice process, including the review of existing legislation and the introduction of new laws or prosecution policies.

At both national and international levels, NGOs have a critical role to play terms of monitoring and reporting sexual violence as abuses of human rights, in vigorously promoting the rights of victims and prosecution of offenders, and in reminding governments and international agencies of their responsibilities within the context of UN policies and charters⁵, and the plans of action of the relevant international conferences.

 

⁵ In recognition of the extent of abuse of human right and fundamental freedoms in relation to HIV/AIDS International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights have been produced jointly by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNAIDS.