For years engaged in the promotion of women and children rights in areas of conflict and natural disasters, Francesca is an expert on programs related to protection with particular attention to gender issues, violence against women and girls and the protection of children. Over the years she has specialized in the management of prevention and response programs against gender-based violence in humanitarian situations and child protection in migration and emergency contexts. After working for several INGOs in Kenya, Somalia, Central African Republic, Chad, Yemen, Libya, South Sudan, and Haiti, she joined the Humanitarian Branch of UNFPA and then moved to UNICEF European Regional Office. She now works as an independent international consultant providing technical assistance to UN agencies, the World Bank and civil society organizations.