Vienna, 14 May 2024 - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSAF) and the Zambian National Prosecution Authority conducted a side event in Vienna, Austria, titled Innovative Practices in Criminal Justice in Southern Africa. The event aimed at identifying strategic measures to combat Gender-Based Violence Against Women (GBVAW) within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

GBVAW remains a pervasive violation of human rights with far-reaching consequences for communities. A report by UNODC revealed that 27% of women 15 years of age and older in Southern Africa have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime from their intimate partners.¹ GBVAW is an area of grave concern and presents major challenges to attaining gender equality in Southern Africa.

Ms. Claudia Baroni, UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Team Leader highlighted UNODC's global approach to GBVAW. 'UNODC is committed to addressing GBVAW on a global scale and ensuring women can live freely without fear. 1 in 3 women globally have experienced violence. Crimes involving violence against women often go underreported and without conviction. UNODC, through continued collaboration with Member States and civil societies, aims to end GBV and ensure a safe society for all.'

In addition to launching two new regional technical tools (a Handbook for Prosecutors on the Management of Gender-Based Violence Cases and a Handbook on Forensic Evidence Processing in Gender-Based Violence Cases), the event revealed the outcomes of a pilot study on justice quality in GBV cases and the pivotal role of forensic databases in advancing justice for GBV survivors. The event sought to enhance the capacity of prosecutors to handle GBV cases and address gaps in forensic DNA capability and evidence collection management.

Dr. Linda Naidoo, UNODC ROSAF's GBV Project Officer, highlighted the importance of forensic evidence processing in GBV cases and advancing justice for GBV victims. 'The application of forensic DNA profiling is important for prosecuting offenders. This is because evidence collected at a crime scene from the victim or perpetrator can provide evidence in court. Therefore, training and understanding multidisciplinary roles from a legal and scientific view on forensic evidence are critical.'

Panelists also discussed global statistics and initiatives like multi-stakeholder in-depth femicide reviews and offered insights into key legislative developments and successes in GBV cases in Zambia. Zambia is ranked 16th amongst countries with the highest rate of child marriage in the world.² Gilbert Phiri, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Zambia, expressed his gratitude to UNODC for its unwavering commitment to addressing GBV in the SADC region and continued to provide a situational overview of GBV in Zambia. 'More than one-third of Zambian women have experienced physical violence, and 47% of married women have experienced physical violence. GBV is prevalent in Zambia, and 1 in 3 females have experienced sexual violence before the age of 18.'

Ms. Carla Pessanha Loque, representing the Office of the Advocate for Victim Rights, highlighted the mandate of the Office, including processes to investigate and prosecute offenders for providing GBV victims with justice and support. This involves putting the rights and needs of the victims of sexual harassment at the forefront of the United Nations' fight against sexual exploitation by the UN staff and related personnel.

Ms. Loque shared successful stories in paternity cases related to sexual exploitation and abuse the Office of the Advocate for Victim Rights has done over the years in upholding the victims' rights in the pursuit of justice. 'In August 2021, the Office of the Victims' Rights Advocate began working with the Chief Executives Board (CEB) Task Force on Addressing Sexual Harassment, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to develop a 2.5-hour training module for all United Nations staff and related personnel. This was to provide them with a clear understanding of the rights of victims of sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse, and what a victim-centered approach means in practice.'

The training outlines the responsibilities of each person working for the United Nations so that they know how to respond under the victim-centered approach as soon as they become aware of an allegation of sexual misconduct, irrespective of whether they provide direct assistance to complainants and victims.

Concluding the session, Ms. Jane Marie Ongolo, Regional Representative for UNODC ROSAF, presented the two handbooks on GBV for the SADC region, symbolising UNODC's commitment to strengthening criminal justice responses to GBV cases.

From left to right, Dr. Linda Naidoo (UNODC ROSAF's GBV Project Officer) with Ms. Jane Marie Ongolo (Regional Representative for UNODC ROSAF).

¹ UNODC. (2020). Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls in Southern Africa. Available at: https://africa.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/gbv_advocacy_brief-key_human_rights_trends_in_southern_africa.pdf

² World Vision Zambia. (2015). A Situation Report on Child Marriages in Zambia. Available at: https://www.wvi.org/zambia/article/situation-report-child-marriages-zambia