UNFPA Lebanon initiated in August 2012 an assessment coupled with a consultation process with the different GBV actors to analyze the situation, ensure the appropriateness of GBVIMS within the Lebanese context, and to obtain the buy-in of relevant actors in rolling it out. This process resulted in the following: a) there is no standardization in the definitions of GBV incident types; b) there is lack of common data points resulting in inconsistencies among organizations; c) service providers lack simple information management tools; and d) there is a need for training and resources for safe and ethical GBV information management. 

Based on the above, GBV actors agreed to pilot the rollout of the GBVIMS in North Lebanon, namely Akkar in response to displaced Syrian crisis. Akkar was selected as the pilot area because services are more available than in other parts of Lebanon hosting and/or catering for Syrian displaced. As such, UNFPA developed a plan and implemented the following activities:

• Conducted a mapping of relevant organizations and their GBV information management procedures.

• Identified from each relevant organization decision makers, GBVIMS Focal Points and other key staff to be involved in the rollout process.

• Conducted an Implementation Planning workshop on October 3-4, with the participation of 20 decisions makers and focal points representing 12 UN agencies and national and international organizations. Participants came up with four significant outcomes which facilitated the rest of the rollout: i) clear understanding of the GBVIMS from an organizational and agency perspective, ii) agreement upon and modification of the GBVIMS tools, such as the Intake Form, the Incident Recorder, and establishment of coding systems, iii) discussion of an implementation plan and timeline, iv) Initiation of discussion around information sharing.

• Conducted Focal Points Training on 8-10 October with the participation of 18 focal points from 9 UN agencies and international and national organizations. The aim of the workshop was to train focal points on the technical aspects and administration of the GBV IMS. This included practical application of filling the GBV intake forms, filling the data into the incident recorder and generating necessary information and reporting. At the end of the workshop, an action plan was developed to ensure the rollout of the GBVIMS in the pilot area of Akkar and which also emphasized the importance of developing an information sharing protocol between the GBVIMS member agencies.