Protection, Gender and Inclusion
in the Americas
www.ifrc.org Saving lives, changing minds.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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Social inclusion activities with indigenous leaders. Colombian Red Cross Cover photo: Prevention against family violence. Mike Bloem / Colombian Red Cross
project Opportunities for Social Inclusion (OIS). Salvadoran Red Cross
Protection, Gender and Inclusion in the Americas The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) works with Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to prevent, mitigate and respond to violence, and in particular violence directed at vulnerable groups. Strengthening volunteer work is at the heart of building a culture of non-violence and peace.
The IFRC’s work with National Societies in social inclusion aims is assistance following a disaster, or long-term support to access health and care, education, employment and livelihoods.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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A Context of Violence in the Americas Crime and violence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are pervasive and costly - especially violent crime. According to the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime statistics, the LAC region boasts the unenviable distinction of being the most violent in the world with: • 23.9 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2012, compared with 9.7, 4.4, 2.7 and 2.9 for Africa, North America, Asia and Europe, respectively
• In 2013, of the 50 most violent cities in the world, 42 were in the region, including the 16 most violent
Governing Principles of the Sendai Framework Disaster Risk Reduction requires the involvement and collaboration of society as a whole. It also requires empowerment and inclusive, accessible and non-discriminatory participation. DRR practitioners should consider disproportionately affected people by disasters, particularly the impoverished, when staging an intervention. Furthermore, gender, age, disability and culture perspectives should be integrated into all policies and practices, and leadership opportunities for women and youth should be promoted. In this context, special attention should be paid to improving the organized voluntary work of citizens.
Women, children and the elderly bear most of the physical and psychological abuse and non-fatal sexual abuse: • 25% of the entire adult population has suffered physical abuse in childhood
• 20% of all women have been sexually abused in childhood • Over 33% of women hasve been the victim of physical or sexual violence by their partner at some point in their lives. • On a typical day in Latin America, 460 people, mainly women, suffer the consequences of sexual violence
For every young man killed by violence, many more suffer injuries requiring hospital treatment. Beyond deaths and injuries, youth violence can lead to mental health problems and increase behaviours that pose risks to health, such as smoking, alcohol and drug use and high-risk sexual practices. Perpetrators and victims of youth violence often have a long history of involvement in the cycle of violence, and many were victims of child abuse. Violence is experienced on a continuum, and it is enhanced during natural disasters and armed conflicts, and its consequences are permanent. Disasters affect women, girls, boys and men differently. Inequalities based on gender, ethnicity, disability, access to information, among others, increase people’s vulnerability by limiting resources and tools to reduce and recover from disaster risks. 4
Social Inclusion and Culture of Non-violence in The Americas
In 2013, of the 50 most violent cities in the world, 42 were in the region, including the 16 most violent
The IFRC’s work is focused on actions that encourage integration and inclusion, especially in local structures to reduce the impact of violence, migration and discrimination. Its work promotes the social inclusion and resilience of disadvantaged groups through programmes and actions tailored to their specific needs.
Objectives of the Initiative • Increase interaction in the neighbourhood, through dialogue and participation to establish initiatives that inspire friendly environments • Promote social inclusion and the creation of spaces in which all people are heard • Promote solidarity and increase community resilience, thusly positively changing community members’ perception of security • Encourage the presence of Red Cross volunteers to promote the development of activities that contribute to greater solidarity, security and sustainability in the neighbourhoods
Volunteers from the Venezuelan Red Cross work with the Paseo de Anauco community within the Friendly Neighbourhoods initiative. Venezuelan Red Cross
Flagship Initiative – Friendly Spaces This initiative, led by National Society staff and volunteers, with support and training from the IFRC, focuses on fostering interaction and dialogue between different groups and ensuring safe spaces for all community members. Specific aspects of the Friendly Spaces include Friendly Schools, Friendly Stadiums (using sport as a means to promote inclusion and non-violence) and Friendly Neighbourhoods.
Friendly Neighbourhoods Friendly Neighbourhoods is a comprehensive initiative led by the IFRC that seeks to increase neighbourhood interaction, dialogue and participation in those issues that affect each community’s way of life. Participatory processes are promoted, in which members of the community identify actions that will transform their neighbourhoods to make them friendlier, safer, more peaceful and supportive. Above all, this initiative strengthens resilience through inclusion and social protection.
Participatory processes are promoted, in which members of the community identify actions that will transform their neighbourhoods to make them friendlier, safer, more peaceful and supportive International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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Friendly Neighbourhoods in Tegucigalpa, Honduras Beneficiary story One of the results of the Friendly Neighbourhoods initiative in the community of San Jose de la Vega was the formation of a committee formed to rehabilitate common spaces to enable future generations to enjoy them. A board of trustees recognized by the Central District’s Municipal Office was established. Since the Colonia San Jose de la Vega has three sectors, the committee decided integration between the sectors was necessary under the committee’s management. Among its achievements is the development of a work plan agreed between different sectors, which was presented to the community through a meeting held in the park. This work plan generated a series of actions carried out by the committee, such as the visit to different state offices for the presentation of its proposals and accompanying requests for the park’s improvement.
Efforts resulting in the improvement of the San Jose de la Vega recreational park in Tegucigalpa, as part of the Friendly Neighbourhoods initiative led by the Honduran Red Cross 6
Social Inclusion and Culture of Non-violence in The Americas
Results of the improvement of the recreational park “San José de la Vega”, as part of the Friendly Neighbourhoods initiative in Colonia San José de la Vega, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Honduran Red Cross
Contact information:
José Félix Rodríguez T. Senior Officer, Social Inclusion josefelix.rodriguez@ifrc.org Julie Hoare Head, Partnerships and Resource Development julie.hoare@ifrc.org
© International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 2017