Source: Somaliland Sun
AMISOM Gender Unit today held a sensitization workshop for senior officers drawn from AMISOM military and police component on good practices in preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

The CEDAW Convention addresses this specific form of violence against women under General Recommendation 19 to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Violence against Women. AMISOM has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards this kind of sexual abuse and exploitation.

Launched in September 2013, the policy states that: "exchange of money, employment, good or services for sex, including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior is prohibited. This includes any exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries of assistance."
AMISOM has been training its military, police and civilian officers to prevent cases of violence and conducting awareness raising with the general public.
The workshop sought to discuss AMISOM good practices, challenges and draw lessons learnt to document and replicate in other AU peacekeeping missions.

On behalf of the African Union Special Representative for Somalia Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif, the AMISOM Chief Administrative Officer, Timothy Kiguti, in his opening remarks, highlighted that this initiative is in line with African Union commitment in providing environments free of sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Africa Union Mission in Somalia is engaged in strategic gender mainstreaming in all area of operations as it continues to support the Federal Government of Somalia achieve sustainable peace and stability.

 

Trainees drawn from camps for the internally displaced in Banadir and Middle Shabelle region practice personal defence skills during a training programme designed by AMISOM

• Somalia