Protection in every activity

1What is protection mainstreaming?

Protection mainstreaming (protection mainstreaming) means incorporating protection principles into all humanitarian activities (water, health, distributions, shelter…), even when the project is not a protection project. It is not the job of specialists alone: it is everyone's responsibility.

The Global Protection Cluster identifies four elements:

1. Safety, dignity and "do no harm": prevent assistance from exposing people to risks (dangerous distribution sites, unlit latrines, beneficiary lists being circulated).
2. Meaningful access: assistance reaches everyone, without discrimination, including older persons, persons with disabilities and marginalised people.
3. Accountability: provide information, collect feedback and complaints, and respond to them.
4. Participation and empowerment: involve people in decisions and strengthen their own capacity to protect themselves.

2Practical examples

• Separate latrines for men and women, with an internal lock and lighting.
• Distributions at times that allow people to get home before dark, priority queues for vulnerable people.
• Water points located after consulting women and girls on safe routes.
• Protected personal data: lists not displayed, password-protected files, sharing only when necessary.
• Information in local languages and in accessible formats (spoken, pictures).

3Referring: the referral pathway

A referral pathway (referral pathway) is the up-to-date list of services available in the area (health, psychosocial support, legal aid, safe shelter, child protection), with contacts and eligibility conditions. It is generally maintained by the Protection Cluster or the GBV sub-cluster.

Non-specialist staff do not investigate or provide case management themselves: they inform the person about existing services and, with their consent, refer them to those services.

4Responding to a disclosure: guiding principles and psychological first aid

If a person discloses violence to you (including gender-based violence), apply the guiding principles:

• The person's safety above all;
• Confidentiality: information is shared only with their informed consent, and only what is necessary;
• Respect for their choices and dignity;
• Non-discrimination.

Psychological first aid (WHO) can be summed up in three verbs: look (safety, urgent needs), listen (without pressing or judging, without asking about details), link (to services and to loved ones who can help).

Avoid: asking for details of what happened, taking photos, promising what you cannot deliver, confronting the perpetrator, talking about it with colleagues who are not involved.