"Together with our partners in the Central African Republic, we stand in solidarity with the victims of gender-based violence. This campaign also highlights our joint work to further integrate the female perspective into security sector reform," says the Head of the EUAM RCA Mission at the launch.

Internal security forces (ISF) play a key role in combating such violence 

Women and girls living in conflict or humanitarian crisis areas, such as the Central African Republic, are particularly vulnerable to conflict-related sexual violence. Rape and sexual violence are a double penalty for the victims who, in addition to physical and moral injury, often also suffer stigmatisation.

Police responses are crucial, not only to protect women and girls from violence, but also to build confidence that reported cases will be taken seriously and that victims will be treated with respect and dignity. Professionally trained and equipped female officers can play a vital role in removing the barriers that women and girls face when navigating a complex criminal justice system. 

Through its mandate, EUAM RCA supports the integration of the gender dimension into the ISF as an important component of its modernisation and thus strengthens the human security of the Central African population, in collaboration with civil society.