3.3. Cross-cutting issues
Gender issues will be mainstreamed in all areas. For encamped refugees, the male/female balance in
structures delivering services is 62/38.9 The project will seek to achieve UNHCR standards, including
an equal gender composition in all structures which contribute to determining the way services are
8
"CCSDPT Member organisations effectively coordinate humanitarian relief and development services
for displaced persons in partnership with the RTG, affected communities, and relevant national and
international entities to promote durable solutions aimed at self-sufficiency within an enhanced
protection environment", CCSDPT Mission statement
9 TBC Information, August 2014.
10
delivered. In particular it will be important to promote gender balance in the refugee committees.
While all refugees are in principle confined to the camps, women face particular challenges.
Overcrowding and social norms contribute to domestic violence and restrictions in women’s
opportunities.
Activities that take into account environmental factors and disaster risk reduction will be
promoted. Environmental sustainability will be taken into account particularly in the context of the
growing number of food production facilities neighbouring the camps, and water and sanitation
projects where the high density of the population poses specific environmental challenges. Integration
of disaster management and risk reduction trainings will be ensured.
Good governance will be promoted through transparent mechanisms and accountability, learning
from the need to avoid situations involving possible conflict of interest. In projects contemplating a
role for the refugee committees or any other Community-based Organisations (CBOs) or refugee
structure linked to a Myanmar Ethnic minorities' political affiliation, representation of different ethnic
and social groups will be safeguarded.
Human rights, rights of people with disabilities and particularly children’s rights will be
addressed in relation to people’s rights to have equal access to prevention, care and services including
protection. The two largest groups of vulnerable people in the camps include unaccompanied minors
and older people (aged above 55 years) totalling about 35,000.10 Children are particularly at risk of
trafficking and there are some reported cases of forced recruitment of children by paramilitary groups.
The well-being of refugee children and their protection, according to international standards, is a
priority under the AUP. While encamped children have access to education, Rohingya and Myanmar
Muslim children are excluded; many are working intermittently to support their families. IOM will
work towards improving access to education for these groups.
HIV/AIDs prevention and awareness raising activities will be included in the education projects and
mainstreamed thoroughly through projects in the field of health, water sanitation and protection.