Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Human Rights Council and that of its mechanisms

Theme: Gender integration and human rights investigations: strengthening a victim-centred approach

The speakers of the panel explained that a lack of gender integration in investigations meant that human rights violations related to gender and sexuality, such as marital rape, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and the deliberate deprivation of essential sexual and reproductive health services, were not being recognised. Likewise assaults against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons; and attacks on female human rights defenders, were not accounted for. Integrating a gender perspective in investigations was important because it broadens the scope of protection and the impact of the conflict. The panel also highlighted that a gender analysis does not mean only to report on sexual violence, but it implies looking at how power relations and how social structures impact a person’s experience.