Description
Gender-based violence is a threat to peace, security, and dignity everywhere, Secretary of State Kerry said in his recent message at the Call to Action on protection from gender-based violence (GBV). According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), almost 50 % of all sexual assaults worldwide are against girls 15 and younger. GBV, particularly sexual violence, is a serious issue on college campuses. Women with disabilities are two to three times more likely to suffer physical and sexual abuse than women with no disability. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons also face heightened risk. Regardless of the form that GBV takes, it undermines not only the safety, dignity, overall health status, and human rights of the millions of individuals who experience it, but also the public health, economic stability, and security of nations. Under the leadership of President Barack Obama, the United States has put gender equality and the advancement of women and girls as a high priority of U.S. foreign policy. Preventing and responding to gender based violence is a cornerstone of the Administrations commitment to advancing gender equality. Vice President Biden, who authored the Violence Against Women Act while in the Senate, has been a leader in efforts to end violence against women and girls for two decades. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the current USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah also have been tireless advocates for ending gender-based violence, and have elevated this issue as a foreign policy. Over the years, the United States has made significant progress in its efforts to address GBV, including through the development of the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, PEPFARs (U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) GBV Scale-Up Initiative and Evaluation, the work of the Presidents Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, and efforts to incorporate GBV programming into humanitarian response activities. The first ever Ambassador-at-Large for Global Womens Issues was designated by Secretary Clinton in April 2009 to work through the Department of State and its Missions worldwide to promote policies and programs that prevent and respond to GBV. To advance this commitment, the Public Affairs Sections of the U.S Consulates General in Chennai and Hyderabad are soliciting proposals to develop and implement best practices to prevent and respond to GBV issues, and particularly focus on community-based solutions, including community policing and assisting victims. Cooperation and coordination among police, business and community leaders and a well-designated community policing / neighborhood watch program may provide more eyes and ears, and lay the groundwork for deterrence, the proposals may include the following projects: Develop and implement a community policing program in one or two localities to create a model of quality relationship between community groups, civilians and police and sensitize them on GBV issues; Invite one or two experts from the U.S. to share the best community policing models on combating gender based violence with the police academies (National Police Academy in Hyderabad, the State Police Academies of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu Police Academy in Chennai) to develop a GBV prevention community policing strategy targeting geographic areas of particular vulnerability (e.g. university campus, electronic city zones, etc) Develop a module and conduct workshops for administrators of the colleges and students to sensitize and strengthen their leadership in combating GBV on college campuses. Also invite or conduct virtual programs to share best practices in GBV prevention programs followed in the colleges/universities in the U.S. The main goal of this project is to raise awareness about the issue and promote programming that will strengthen Indian governments efforts in combating GBV. A panel comprised of Consulates and Embassy staff members will review each complete proposal received before the application deadline. Please note that selected proposals will have to complete additional forms and registration documents within thirty days of notification in order to receive funding. The awardee is encouraged to seek and find additional funding for this conference, subject to approval by the U.S. Consulates General in Chennai and Hyderabad, and U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.