Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar, Violence against Women & other topics - Daily Briefing (9 March 202

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
- Violence Against Women
- Central Emergency Response Fund
- Security Council/Sudan
- Myanmar
- Afghanistan
- Senegal
- Libya
- Central African Republic
- Yemen
- COVAX
- Food/Climate
- Contributions
- Secretary-General
- Press Encounters Tomorrow

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
A report released today by the World Health Organization and its partners says violence against women remains pervasive and starts when women are alarmingly young. Across their lifetime, one in three women, that’s around 736 million, are subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence from a non-partner. That’s a number that has remained largely unchanged over the past decade. One in four young women who have been in a relationship will have already experienced violence by the time they reach their mid-twenties.
The report is based on data from 2000 to 2018 and does not reflect the ongoing impact of the pandemic. WHO and its partners warned that COVID-19 has triggered a “shadow pandemic” of increased women’s exposure to violence, as a result of measures such as lockdowns and disruptions to vital support services.
The report also found that the regions of Oceania, Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have the highest prevalence rates of intimate partner violence among women who are between the ages of 15 and 49. The lowest rates are found in Europe, Central Asia, Eastern Asia, and South-East Asia.

CENTRAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND
This month marks the 15th anniversary of the launch of the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund.
The Fund has allowed humanitarian organizations to kick-start urgent aid operations worldwide within hours of a natural disaster. With it, the UN is able to reach people in crises not receiving the attention and funding they deserve. The fund is a cornerstone in the response to global crises and in standing with people at their time of greatest needs.
In 2020, the Fund helped bring food assistance to over seven million people. It also ensured that 5.5 million women and girls were protected in natural disasters among many other crises.
Since 2006, CERF has allocated $7 billion helping millions of people in 100 countries get critical life-saving assistance.
The UN thanks all the donors and Member States who have generously contributed funding to the Central Emergency Response Fund over the years, as well as the partners who have worked together to deliver humanitarian relief and protection.

SECURITY COUNCIL/SUDAN
The Security Council met virtually on the new UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan, otherwise known as UNITAMS.
In his first briefing to the Council, the head of the mission, Volker Perthes, said the political transition process in Sudan is moving forward.
He stressed that an inclusive political process, including all segments of Sudan’s diverse society, is essential for its success.
Mr. Perthes said that the protection of civilians remains one of the mission’s main priorities, with 165 people killed and more than 100,000 people displaced in intercommunal clashes in West Darfur in January.
He said the UN is working to support the new Government to strengthen the protection of civilians.

MYANMAR
The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener is continuing her diplomacy. She is in contact with countries in the region, including Myanmar’s direct neighbors. Discussions about her potential travel to the region continue.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/conte....nt/noon-briefing-hig