Women’s safety & security

Woman in traditional dress at the Goroka show where IWDA's partner Eastern Highlands Family Voice hosted a stall in September 2011. Credit: N'Deane Helajzen

Enabling women’s safety and security is integrally connected to wider political stability, democracy and rule of law. IWDA is committed to the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls; the protection of women and girls in conflict zones or refugee and internally-displaced people’s (IDP) settlements; and the participation of women in decision-making related to peace keeping and the resolution of conflict.

We support partnerships and programs across our region that address violence against women and girls as we firmly believe this is at the heart of supporting women to realise their rights. Our framework for partnership on safety and security addresses the spectrum of violence, from ‘domestic’ or intimate partner violence through to human trafficking and gender-based violence resulting from the forced movement of people due to war or civil conflict. Women living in contexts of political, religious or inter-ethnic violence and conflict are at heightened risk of violence yet are frequently denied the opportunity to participate in peace negotiations. We therefore support activities that bring women to the peace and security negotiation table, promote women’s involvement in decision-making and conflict resolution and highlight the gender dimensions of peace and security more broadly.

IWDA recognises that violence against women is a key barrier to social, economic and political development. Our program supports local women’s initiatives to improve support services and increase women’s access to justice. We also support human rights awareness, education and advocacy approaches that strengthen prevention efforts at a community and national level and contribute to wider regional strategies.

Where women can influence policy, there is evidence of legal reform, expanded health and legal services and increased protective services. Such changes often depend on the work of strong and resilient local organisations. We know that civil society action can transform legal and political will and engage other sectors, such as education, health and law enforcement to enable women’s access to services and justice. IWDA supports these transformative processes and partnerships to reform laws, promote effective implementation of legislation and contribute to national plans of action.

Projects

• Banteay Srei Safe House
• Capacity building and documentation
• Crisis and Resource Centre
• Freedom from family and sexual violence
• PeaceTALKS
• Women, communities and police addressing sexual and gender-based violence in the Highlands

Past projects

• Say No to Violence: Stop Violence TV Campaign
• Community Action Against Violence Against Women (CAAVAW)
• Peace Keepers’ Trauma Healing and Domestic Violence Reduction
• Community Strengthening and Gender Mainstreaming in Integrated Mine Action (CSGMIMA)
• Together Become Stronger: A Voice for all East Timorese Women: Enhancing Women’s Participation and Leadership through Theatre

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