UNFPA and UNHCR organized the annual training on gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls for partner organizations on August 14, in their capacity as co-chairs of the GBV sub-working group. 

The training brought together 50 people from different organizations including the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), other UN agencies as well as Doctors without Borders (MSF), Care International, Saint Andrews Refugee Services (StARS), the Egyptian Red Crescent, Caritas, Balqees, Save the Children, Etijah, SCI, the National Population Council, the Egyptian Foundation for Refugee Rights, United Lawyers among other important partners. 

The GBV sub-working group in Egypt, co-chaired by UNFPA and UNHCR, is the inter-agency coordinating body with the objective of supporting a comprehensive and coordinated approach to GBV affecting asylum-seekers, refugees, and other persons of concern in Egypt including prevention and response activities. 

The training focused on two themes identified as key priority areas for organizations working in addressing GBV and humanitarian response in Egypt which are the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE). Both topics also link directly to the current focus on the response to the Sudan crisis and the role played by aid organizations, UN, humanitarian and development partners in Egypt. 

IOM Emergency Response Coordinator and PSEA Focal Person Ms. Salma Hassan, gave a comprehensive overview on the criticality of adopting and ensuring the provision of safe reporting channels towards all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse offered by humanitarian actors. 

The second session of the training addressed GBV in Emergencies and was delivered by UNFPA GBV focal Persons from Sudan Country Office, Ms.Noha Al Eryani and Ms. Samah Fageer. They reflected on existing practices adopted in the region to prioritize GBV response and address emergency contexts.