Applying a Survivor Centered Approach to PSEA in the Asia Pacific Region

Gender-based Violence (GBV) is a widespread international public health and human rights issue. During a humanitarian crisis, many factors can increase GBV-related risks. As articulated by the IASC and the GBV AoR, all national and international actors responding to an emergency have a duty to protect those affected by the crisis; this includes protecting them from GBV. To save lives and maximize protection, essential actions to mitigate and respond to GBV, including sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, must be undertaken in a coordinated manner from the earliest stages of emergency preparedness (Source: IASC, Guidelines for Integrating GBV in Humanitarian Action, 2015). Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) is a form of GBV that constitutes an abuse of power by aid workers against the affected population. The risks of SEA increase in emergency settings.
The Asia Pacific region is facing more humanitarian crises resulting in an increased need for GBV interventions. In the 2023 Humanitarian Programming Cycle, over 18.95 million people are requiring GBV interventions in three priority contexts (Afghanistan, Myanmar, Cox’s Bazar), which is a stark increase of more than 100% compared to the numbers reported in 2021. This highlights the growing humanitarian challenges and reinforces the need for strong and targeted responses to GBV and PSEA to meet the needs of affected populations (excerpt from IASC RD's meeting for January 2024).