In the same week as the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women last 25th November, Geneva Call is releasing a new booklet on the prohibition of sexual violence and gender discrimination in armed conflict.
 
This training booklet will be first disseminated to armed non-State actors that have signed Geneva Call's Deed of Commitment prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination.
 
It contains 12 essential rules of behaviour for members of armed groups, based on the core provisions of the Deed of Commitment. With impactful drawings and texts, it makes international norms easily understandable to the rank and file.
 
Created in partnership with the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) and with the support of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department, the booklet will be first used in an upcoming training with a Burmese armed group, the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (KNU/KNLA), as well as with Iranian Kurdish armed groups, all signatories of this particular Deed of Commitment.
 
Sexual violence is still a rampant phenomenon, exacerbated in war situations. The booklet is a reminder that all forms of sexual violence are totally prohibited and amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law.
 
To date, seven armed groups have signed the Deed of Commitment prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination in armed conflict. In December 2012, five Iranian Kurdish groups became the first signatories to the Deed followed by two other groups, respectively from India and Burma/Myanmar, the Zomi Re-unification Organization and the KNU/KNLA, which signed the Deed in June and July 2013 respectively.
 
On-going engagement is taking place with other armed groups operating in Burma/Myanmar, the Philippines, Colombia, Sudan and Turkey.
 
To read the booklet in English:  http://bit.ly/1czoS6u