In 2016, police recorded a total of 1449 domestic violence-related offences, an increase of 93 cases from the previous year. It affected 1357 people, 1217 of whom were injured and 18 who died. More than 90 percent of the victims were women and girls.
At the National Forum on Multi-Sectoral Responses to Gender-Based Violence in Mongolia from 11-12 April in Ulaanbaatar, UNFPA Mongolia Country Representative Naomi Kitahara said gender-based violence (GBV) and domestic violence were significant public concerns and an impediment to achieving sustainable national development.
Officials from a range of sectors at both national and aimag levels gathered at the forum to discuss how all sectors could work together to prevent and effectively respond to GBV, meeting international standards in terms of providing essential and integrated services for victims.
The Law on Combating Domestic Violence, which came into force on 1 February 2017, highlights integrated responses for victims of GBV and domestic violence, including police, local government officials, social and health workers, staff from the crime prevention centres, civil society organisations and local communities.
With the newly amended law, Mongolia now has a legal framework to facilitate these responses. The forum further enhanced the integration of public services for victims.
In an address to participants, Minister of Justice and Home Affairs S. Byambatsogt said a joint team from all concerned sectors was integral in providing medical, psychological, legal, mediation and social services for victims of violence.
“We have also implemented a pilot initiative to set up a local committee to promote multi-sectoral response,” Ms Kitahara said. “This is usually chaired by the head of local authorities such as aimag governors, and it has proven to be very effective in ensuring sectoral coordination and the effectiveness of public services.”
There are currently six one-stop service centres in Mongolia set up by UNFPA and other agencies on a pilot basis, and they have proven to be an effective way to provide integrated physical and psychological protection, and social services for victims of violence.
SDC has partnered with UNFPA and the Government of Mongolia in combating GBV and domestic violence in Mongolia, providing much-needed financial support in order to strengthen national capacity to address the problem.
SDC in Mongolia Director of Cooperation Gabriella Spirli stated that SDC considers gender-based and domestic violence as a serious violation of human rights; it is the responsibility of any State to prevent this phenomenon and set up a full protection and support mechanism for the victims. There should be no impunity for offenders. Therefore, the Swiss government commends the Government of Mongolia for the recent approval of the Law on GBV and confirms its support for the creation of a multidisciplinary response, including carrying out a nation-wide survey, strengthening the capacity of the relevant state institutions and ensuring that victims have access to the justice system and supportive measures.
The Forum issued recommendation along with Action plans of key activities to further guide the multi-sectoral response to domestic violence, which would enhance the implementation of the newly approved law.
To find out more about the joint project, visit the project web page.
