In September 2018, the Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched its first Institutional Framework for Addressing GBV in Crises (GBViC Framework). The GBViC Framework builds on lessons learned and emerging good practices in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in IOM’s crisis operations worldwide documented over the past four years.

The key objective of the GBViC Framework is to ensure that the safety, dignity, well-being and equitable access to services for all crisis-affected persons, especially women and girls, is prioritized, integrated and coordinated across all IOM crisis operations. It articulates why and how IOM tackles GBV in crises and defines IOM’s vision and scope through three institutional approaches:

1. Mitigating risks: by mitigating the risk of GBV in all crisis operations and doing no harm;
2. Supporting survivors: by facilitating access to survivor-centred, multisectoral services; and
3. Addressing the root causes: by contributing towards progressively transforming the conditions that perpetuate GBV.

The GBViC Framework provides the foundation for IOM staff to strengthen their engagement and contribution towards the collective efforts of the United Nations system, civil society and partners to address GBV in all crisis and fragility contexts. It contains the GBViC Operational Model, which outlines the three institutional approaches with corresponding outcomes and strategic interventions along all 15 sectors of assistance in the Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF). Importantly, the Operational Model defines the essential, non-specialized interventions that are attainable by all IOM operations worldwide and that, at a minimum, must be implemented in all crisis operations.