The persistence of GBV, particularly intimate partner violence, is a critical issue in EECA and one of the ubiquitous and entrenched indicators of gender inequality. The scope of violence against women in Eastern Europe says that 70% of women in the countries surveyed have experienced some form of violence since they turned 15. 23% of women in Central Asia have experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence by a non-partner.

Despite decades of raising awareness and interventions to address GBV, only a few countries have dedicated legal bills that address domestic violence. There is still limited access for victims to justice and health services, and the risk of being re-victimized. Inadequate and discriminatory responses to sexual violence exist in many countries — an issue of particular concern is armed conflict situations.

During the period of 2011-2023, countries in the EECA region have built a strong foundation for GBV programs by implementing global and regional interventions. GBV interventions in the region include but are not limited to GBV prevention and response, Technology facilitated GBV, and others. UNFPA has also worked on gender-transformative approaches by engaging men and boys, to address gender norms and stereotypes, eliminating violence against women and girls, combat harmful practices and increase access and use of services.

Countries are also strengthening the institutional policy changes toward GBV response, building partnerships with non-traditional partners/private sector to prevent GBV, and improving the data for evidence-based policy advocacy.

Against this background, in close consultation with the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office gender team, the consultant is expected to develop a communication tool to share the work combating and preventing Gender Based Violence conducted by UNFPA in the region over the past years.

The document will outline the work of UNFPA based on two-dimensional aspects of GBV (1) prevention and (2) response, and highlight the following elements:

- Key strategies and practices

- Results achieved

- Lessons learned

- Success stories