Migration, forced displacement and social protection

Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most obvious expressions of unequal gender relations in a society. It is a grave violation of human rights with detrimental effects on individuals, families and societies. GBV is both an expression of unequal gender relations, and a means through which these are upheld, both a consequence and a cause of gender inequality. GBV has significant costs for individuals, their families and immediate surroundings, as well as for communities, businesses, the development of countries and their possibilities of reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.
This technical note gives an overview of what GBV is and how Sida works to prevent and respond to GBV. It includes relevant international commitments and policy frameworks, areas for dialogue with partners, stakeholders and other donors, as well as forms of GBV. GBV is an area of high priority for Swedish development cooperation. Work to prevent and respond to GBV is mainly done within the thematic areas of gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), peace and conflict and humanitarian assistance. Therefore, this technical note aims to incorporate GBV from these four areas.

The environment in which elections are held and electoral assistance takes place is in dramatic flux, exacerbating existing challenges to holding credible elections and introducing new, dynamic risks to electoral integrity. This technical note, provides evidencebased guidance to Sida to assess and implement electoral assistance. It introduces the Electoral Cycle Approach and the concepts of electoral assistance. It discusses electoral assistance in practice, with focus on three main areas of support: election management bodies; media and the information environment; and civil society and election observation. It also discusses lessons learned, the changing contexts and risks and provides opportunities for Sida’s engagment.
In an annex it provides examples of Sida’s experiences and key actors and resources for electoral assistance.