On behalf of all partners of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender- Based Violence in Emergencies, Canada was pleased to launch the 2021-2025 Road Map at the high-level roundtable side event on the margins of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, titled “Collective Action to Prevent, Mitigate and Respond to Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies: Public Launch of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies 2021-2025 Road Map.”.  Developed in partnership with the Women’s Refugee Commission, and in consultation with all Call to Action partners, the updated Road Map builds on the original goals and objectives, accounting for lessons learned, trends, and best practices from the last five years. Namely, the 2021-2025 Road Map has a strengthened focus on gender equality, localization, intersectionality and the empowerment of women and girls.

The purpose of this launch event, co-sponsorship by Denmark, the European Union, the United Kingdom, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, ABAAD, Action Against Hunger, CARE, Coalition for Humanity South Sudan, International Rescue Committee, and Women’s Refugee Commission, in cooperation with UN OCHA was to identify collective efforts to reach the Call to Action goal of driving change and fostering accountability within the humanitarian sphere.  Speakers shared ideas and commitments to ensure that every humanitarian effort, from the start, includes the policies, systems and mechanisms necessary to provide safe and comprehensive services to those affected by GBV, to prevent GBV, and mitigate GBV risks, especially violence against women and girls by 2025.

It is now time for all partners to re-affirm their commitment to the Call to Action to increase the momentum on addressing gender-based violence.  It is time to hold each other accountable to these new commitments.

#CalltoActionGBV #AppelàlactionVBG

Statement issued by the partners of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (Call to Action) at the Global Refugee Forum held  Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 December 2019.

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On this historic occasion of the first Global Refugee Forum (GRF), the 85 Call to Action partners – comprised of Member States, international organisations and international and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) – urge all participants at the forum to prioritize actions that effectively prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV). We also urge the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees, including the protection and empowerment of women and girls displaced by conflict and crisis.

We specifically encourage forum attendees to make bold financial and political commitments that:

1. Support GBV programming in refugee and forced displacement settings and address gender inequality, the root cause of GBV.

2. Promote gender-responsive localization and increase direct funding to local women’s groups.

3. Ground programming in best practices and dedicate the financial resources necessary for effective use of technical tools to prevent and respond to GBV in all refugee settings.

4. Reinforce the key actions of the 2016-2020 Call to Action Road Map.

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Read the full statement below.

On November 5, 2019, the Government of Canada hosted an interactive (not a panel) high level event, “The Future of the Call to Action: Working in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus,” on the margins of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies Annual Partners Meeting. 

H.E. Leslie Norton, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Canada to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva delivered the opening remarks, explaining the purpose of the evening, which was to hear from diverse speakers to bring forward new ideas to inspire the future Road Map. The current 2016-2020 Road Map provides an overarching guiding framework that sets out common objectives, targets and a governance structure, to ensure that pledges are translated into concrete and targeted actions on the ground, but it is now coming to an end. The evening’s speakers and conversations helped identify the collective way forward for the international community to prevent, mitigate and respond to gender-based violence in the coming years.  Manisha Thomas of the Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) moderated the interactive event.  Speakers shared the following recommendations:

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• Antonia Mulvey, Founder and Executive Director of Legal Action Worldwide provided the following recommendations: put justice at the centre of the Road Map, better communication between humanitarian, peace and development actors; ensure legal agency for individuals; provide services to those who identify as LGBTQI; and recognize that climate change induced displacement will increase, leading to increased GBV. 

• Shoko Arakari, new Director of Humanitarian Response Office of UNFPA stressed the importance of putting the Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies into practice. 

• Yusuf Amos, Executive Director of Clear View Integrity Foundation, a local CSO in Nigeria, stressed the role of local CSOs as “boots on the ground” to prevent and respond to GBV now that “the culture of silence has been broken” and called for quality funding, including same levels of core funding to local partners as to INGOs. 

• Gillian Triggs, new Assistant High Commissioner for Protection of UNHCR encouraged broader thinking with development actors on sustainable response and addressing underlying causes of GBV, touched upon women empowerment and access to self-sufficiency, regretting the decline in resettlement opportunities and sustainable solutions/opportunities for women in host countries, and encouraged using the Global Refugee Forum as a platform for generating new ideas for working across the triple nexus, in addition to pledging financial and in-kind support. 

• Jos Verbeek, Special Representative to the UN and WTO for the World Bank underlined the World Bank’s interest in fragile and conflict-affected contexts and associated strategy 2020-2025 within which GBV features importantly; noted that the World Bank has committed USD 300M on GBV-specific projects; and mentioned the issues associated with data collection and analysis on GBV, arguing that the UNHCR/World Bank joint data centre in Copenhagen could support in finding innovative ideas for data collection and analysis on GBV. 

• Mike Ryan, new Executive Director of World Health Organization Health Emergencies Programme stressed the importance of strengthening national systems to ensure sustainable provision of services to GBV survivors by accountable governments. 

• Mendy Marsh, Executive Director and Co-founder of VOICE stressed the need to recognize the wealth of knowledge of local women and women-led civil society groups and the role that the Call to Action and the new Road Map can play to help amplify their innovative knowledge and expertise. 

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#CalltoActionGBV

September 24, 2019 | 18:30 – 20:30 | Conference Room 12, United Nations Headquarters

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Hosted by the Government of Canada and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and co-sponsored by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Republic of South Sudan, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the European Union (EU).

The side event is an opportunity to share experiences and take stock of lessons learned in responding to gender-based violence (GBV), particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Republic of South Sudan. This will encompass good practices from applying a survivor-centered approach and working in the humanitarian-development nexus. Panelists will also discuss ways to take forward global priorities and initiatives such as the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies. 

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Date: September 24, 2019
 
Time: 18:30 – 20:30
 
Venue: Conference Room 12, United Nations Headquarters, New York
 
Opening Remarks: Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, UNFPA; Mr. Mark Lowcock, USG, Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator; and Mr. Mourad Wahba, Associate Administrator, UNDP.
 
Moderator: Ms. Jacqueline O’Neill, Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security, Canada
 
Panelists:

• Hon. Nunu Kumba, Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, South Sudan

• Ms. Chantal Yelu Mulop, Special Advisor to the Head of State for Youth, DRC (TBC)

• Mr. Christos Stylianides, Commissioner, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations

• Ms. Merete Fjeld Brattested, Director General, UN and Humanitarian Affairs, Norway

• Ms. Riya Williams, Executive Director, Crown the Woman, South Sudan

• Ms. Noemi Dalmonte, GBV Sub-Cluster Coordinator & Lead for Call to Action in DRC

• Ms. Sheba Crocker, Vice President, Humanitarian Policy and Practice, CARE USA 

#CalltoActionGBV

Statement issued by the partners of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies on the occasion of the “Ending Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Humanitarian Crises” Conference, to be held in Oslo, Norway, 23-24 May 2019:

The Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (Call to Action) is a global multi-stakeholder initiative launched in 2013 to fundamentally transform the way gender-based violence (GBV) is addressed in humanitarian emergencies. The aim is to drive change and foster accountability so that every humanitarian effort, from the earliest stage of a crisis, includes the policies, systems and mechanisms to prevent and respond to GBV, especially violence against women and girls.

The Call to Action commends the Kingdom of Norway for calling this conference and appreciates the leadership of the Republic of Iraq, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, UN OCHA, UNFPA, ICRC and Norwegian Church Aid as co-hosts. We concur with their assessment that, despite increased attention to GBV and improvement in recent years, much remains to be done. GBV is a pervasive and life-threatening power, health, human rights, and protection issue. Deeply rooted in gender inequality and norms that disempower and discriminate, GBV is a reality in every society that disproportionately affects women and girls and is exacerbated in humanitarian emergencies where vulnerability and risks are high and many protections have broken down. Still, despite its prevalence, prevention of and response to GBV are rarely undertaken from the earliest stages of emergencies or get the level of attention of other humanitarian issues, leading to a lack of appropriate resources to effectively respond to the needs of affected populations. Moreover, even when strong commitments are made, the accountability mechanisms for ensuring meaningful action in policy, funding, systems, and implementation are a major gap.

The Call to Action calls on the conference participants to consider the following as they prepare to engage in the Oslo Conference:

1. GBV takes multiple forms, all of which must be addressed

2. Important role of local and women-led organizations

3. GBV as everyone’s responsibility

4. Complementarity to the Call to Action  and use of the Call to Action Roadmap

5. Pledging flexibility – Including and beyond funding

The Call to Action once again commends the Conference co-hosts for their efforts to bring attention to GBV in humanitarian settings. The Call to Action members stand ready to partner with and support all those endeavouring to end GBV and achieve gender equality, and look forward to a productive Conference.

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During its leadership, the EU piloted the Call to Action Road Maps in Nigeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo, organised 10 awareness-raising workshops, facilitated the drafting of the 2017 Progress Report and organised several high-level awareness-raising events in Brussels, New York and Geneva, amongst other things. For a full overview of activities undertaken during the EU's leadership, please see the EU booklet or visit the EU's webpage. 

On April 13th, Canada hosted a high-level roundtable ‘Collective Action for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls in Humanitarian Contexts’ on the margins of the World Bank Spring Meetings. The roundtable was an opportunity to recognize the positive achievements that donors and partners have taken to strengthen their gender equality policies, to implement gender-responsive humanitarian programming, including to prevent and respond to GBV, and to support research and learning to continue to build the case for advancing gender-responsive humanitarian action. The event was opened by the Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank, Kristalina Georgieva, and other representatives of the World Bank, Ministers and representatives from donor governments and governments affected by humanitarian crises, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UN agencies, international NGOs and a representative of a local women’s organization working to address gender-based violence in Somalia. 

Following the World Bank CEO’s opening remarks, Canada’s Minister of International Development and Minister of Women and Gender Equality, Maryam Monsef, offered a keynote address focused on the importance of implementing gender-responsive humanitarian action in all humanitarian contexts to ensure that the unmet needs and priorities of women and girls are being met. Minister Monsef also announced Canada’s new policy, ‘A Feminist Approach: Gender Equality and Humanitarian Action,’ which seeks to address how Canada will tackle some of these challenges.

Interventions by participants sought to address three questions: (i) what does each of us need to do to bring about gender-responsive humanitarian action; (ii) what incentives can we establish to support accountability for change; and (iii) how do we engage women’s organizations (formal and informal) and what are the key obstacles and strategic opportunities for their meaningful participation? Many interventions focused on the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, including highlighting the importance of the Call to Action, including those from ECHO, Canada’s predecessor on leading the Call to Action.  A number of specific recommendations emerged, in particular the need to better and more systematically engage women and girls meaningfully in each response, as opposed to conducting a ‘box ticking’ exercise; the need to mobilize longer-term, more predictable funding for local women’s organisations in humanitarian contexts; and the importance of maintaining funding and increasing advocacy for specific interventions to address sexual and reproductive health and rights, prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, and women’s empowerment.

In her closing remarks, Minister Monsef outlined the need to continue to improve coordination of efforts to prevent and respond to GBV and also to focus on localization efforts within the Call to Action. The upcoming Oslo Conference on Ending Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Humanitarian Crises (23 – 24 May, 2019 in Oslo, Norway) and the Women Deliver Conference (3-6 June, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada) will be important opportunities to continue this momentum towards action.

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See Canada's press release here. 

February 8, 2019 | 13:15-14:30 | Conference Room 8, United Nations Headquarters

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As the new lead of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, Canada will host a panel discussion with humanitarian partners on February 8, 2019 to answer questions about the Call to Action, its goals and achievements, and to explore further how it is transforming the delivery of humanitarian assistance on the ground. The aim of this panel discussion is to increase awareness and understanding of the Call to Action by providing real-world examples of how it is contributing to more effectively addressing gender-based violence in emergencies. 

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Date: February 8, 2019

Time: 13:15 – 14:30

Venue: Conference Room 8, United Nations Headquarters, 46th Street & 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Opening Remarks: H.E. Mr. Marc-André Blanchard, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York

Moderator: Ms. Joan Timoney, Senior Director of Advocacy and External Relations, Women’s Refugee Commission

Panelists:

• Ms. Susannah Friedman, Director for Humanitarian Policy, CARE

• Dr. Nicole Behnam, Senior Technical Director for the Violence Prevention and Response Unit, International Rescue Committee

• Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Director of Policy and Strategy Division, UNFPA

Closing Remarks: Mr. Richard Arbeiter, the Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York

Follow via webcast: http://webtv.un.org/ 

#CalltoActionGBV

Handover of Call to Action’s Leadership: from the EU to Canada

On December 10, the European Union (EU) and Canada co-organized an event at the Mission of Canada to the European Union in Brussels. This event marked symbolically the ending of the EU’s leadership of the “Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies” (Call to Action), handing over to Canada. The event focused on showcasing key achievements of the EU, raising awareness on issues pertaining to gender-based violence (GBV) and impact of the Call to Action at field-level, as well as looking ahead to Canada’s priorities as lead. The event was well-attended by approximately 80 participants, representing Call to Action partners (states, donors, international organisations, NGOs, etc), as well as prospective new partners.

In her keynote speech, DG ECHO Director-General Monique Pariat highlighted main achievements of the EU’s leadership. These included the EU’s efforts in bringing the Call to Action closer to the field, through the support for pilots in Nigeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo and the 10 field-level awareness-raising workshops organised by DG ECHO’s field network. In addition, the EU supported increased advocacy for the issue (through organisation of several high-level events), and worked on significantly expanding support for the initiative (bringing 18 new partners on board, bringing the total to 82). Also the EU’s efforts in putting in place certain structures for the partnership (annual report for 2017, standard reporting template, website, etc.) were highlighted. Director-General Pariat also presented some key learnings of the 2017 Call to Action Progress Report, which was officially launched at the event. In particular, she highlighted the need for the partnership to continue working on field-level application and impact, to strengthen engagement with local and women’s organisation, and the linkages between GBV and gender equality need to be strengthened.

The panel discussion, moderated by the Women’s Refugee Commission’s Joan Timoney, focused on sharing achievements and challenges in implementing the Call to Action in the field. Christine Apio, the Call to Action Regional Advisor hosted by UNFPA/GBV AoR highlighted the work ongoing in Northeast Nigeria, one of the Call to Action pilot countries. A Road Map contextualized for this setting was launched in July 2018, and work is ongoing to implement commitments made. Sophie Price from the Canadian Embassy in Nigeria praised the work done under the Call to Action in Nigeria, and stressed the importance of dedicating specific human resources to raise further attention to the issue. Gina Bramucci, from the International Rescue Committee, pointed to the positive developments that have been seen in terms of accountability at field-level. For instance, humanitarian coordinators now have gender/GBV in their terms of reference. She also described the work that IRC and other Call to Action partners have been undertaking in developing a blue print for such actions, namely the GBV Accountability Framework. UN Women Representative in Nigeria Comfort Lamptey highlighted the need for continued focus on gender equality as the end goal. This will be an important priority for the Call to Action initiative moving forward. Speakers shared positive feedback on the EU’s leadership efforts and pioneering work to support field implementation.

In his closing remarks Ambassador Daniel J. Costello thanked and praised the EU for its leadership. Canada will count on the EU for continued efforts and support. He highlighted the three main priorities for Canada as incoming lead: (1) strategically shaping the Call to Action initiative into the next phase with the revision of the Road Map to more effectively address current needs and challenges; (2) continuing to work on field-level implementation to drive sustainable change and help the most vulnerable; and (3) strengthening engagement with local and women’s organisations.  These priorities are in alignment with the current Call to Action Road Map, the recommendations coming out of the comprehensive 2017 Progress Report, and they build on the work of past leads.  They are also in alignment with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, the Whistler Declaration on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls in Humanitarian Action, and Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.  Ambassador Daniel J. Costello also noted that the impact of joint action, and collaboration, is of tenfold of what each partner can accomplish alone.

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#CalltoActionGBV

Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies: Achievements and Future Opportunities

Handover of Call to Action’s Leadership: from the EU to Canada

Monday 10 December 2018, 15h00 - 16h30

This event will officially mark the handover the Call to Action Leadership from the European Union to Canada. It aims to highlight the main achievements of the EU leadership of the Call to Action, and present opportunities for Canada's leadership.

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A panel discussion will take stock of achievements and future opportunities, with a focus on bringing the initiative closer to the field and discussing emerging issues such as the link between GBV and gender equality. The event will be an advocacy and awareness-raising event.

KEYNOTE OPENING ADDRESS

Ms. Monique Pariat, Director-General, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

PANEL

Call to Action, a state of play: achievements and challenges in bringing the initiative closer to the field and emerging opportunities

CHAIR

Ms. Joan Timoney, Senior Director of Advocacy and External Relations, Women`s Refugee Commission

SPEAKERS

Ms. Fatima Imam, FIDA Borno, Nigeria

Ms. Christine Apio, Regional GBV Adviser Call to Action, Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility/UNFPA

Ms. Sophie Price, Canada representative in Nigeria, Global Affairs Canada

Ms. Gina Bramucci, Deputy Director for Emergencies, Violence Prevention & Response Unit, International Rescue Committee

Ms. Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria, UN Women

CLOSING REMARKS

H.E. Daniel J. Costello, Ambassador, Mission of Canada to the European Union

This is an invitation-only event. If you are interested in learning more or would like to attend please write to ECHO-CALLTOACTIONGBV@ec.europa.eu

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#CalltoActionGBV http://www.calltoactiongbv.com/

On 27 September, the European Union (EU) and UNICEF co-organised an event on "Children and Women under Attack: Ending Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies" in the margins of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, in New York. Co-hosted by EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, the event brought together representatives from governments, international organisations and NGOs to raise awareness on gender-based violence (GBV) in emergencies and stimulate the debate on how to address this issue through collective action.

The event explored ways in which humanitarian efforts can effectively tackle and end GBV, from providing safe and comprehensive services from the outset of crises, to strengthening policies and systems to address GBV risks. The EU and UNICEF reiterated their commitment to prevent and respond to such violence and recalled their strong partnership.

In her introductory remarks, UNICEF Executive Director Fore stressed that ending GBV is at the top of her agenda and commended the EU leadership of the Call to Action.

In his intervention, Commissioner Stylianides outlined EU’s priorities as lead of the Call to Action, highlighting the need for effective partnerships and concrete actions to foster tangible impact, in particular at field level. He reiterated EU's readiness to remain engaged in the Call to Action well beyond its leadership of the initiative.

The panel discussion moderated by Monique Pariat, Director-General, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (EU/ECHO) featured Dr Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, Tahmina Yesmin, Lead Gender at BRAC Bangladesh, Amber Clough, Researcher at Johns Hopkins University, Ilwad Elman, Youth Activist and Director of Elman Peace Centre in Somalia, and Diane Jacovella, Deputy Minister of International Development of Canada.

Panellists stressed that GBV is not just another form of violence, but a threat to humanity. All concurred on the need to change prevalent social norms and cultural perceptions in order to empower women and children, and help them heal from their visible and invisible wounds.

The event provided a glimpse into GBV issues that women, girls, boys, and men face during and after an emergency. The panel discussion centred around some of the key successful and innovative approaches to preventing gender-based violence in emergencies, such as the implementation of the Call to Action in both Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, by UNFPA as well through the interventions of women from Bangladesh and Somalia and South Sudan who highlighted what works in the field. In the latter two countries, through co-operative community efforts to change harmful social norms like early childhood marriage, or keeping girls out of school, the UNICEF Communities Care programme in Somalia helped dramatically drive down harmful attitudes that put women and girls at risk. By working with community and faith-based leaders and groups, UNICEF and partners have seen reductions in acceptance for spousal violence, for using family honour as an excuse not to report rape, or for blaming women or girls for the assaults they endure. This was substantiated by Johns Hopkins University research. The Deputy Minister of Canada underlined her government will be delighted to take over the Call to Action in 2019 and will continue to raise visibility on the GBV issue.

In his concluding remarks, David Miliband, CEO, International Rescue Committee, called for greater investment in addressing GBV in emergencies (currently only 0.5% of the global humanitarian budget is dedicated to this), better accountability frameworks, and more synergies with transversal processes such as the #MeToo movement.

Commissioner Stylianides and UNICEF Director Fore concluded the event with a symbolic gesture, restating their commitment towards addressing GBV in emergencies on dedicated photo boards. All participants were invited to follow the example and share their commitments as guidance for future work.

The full recording of the event is available here.

Please find the brochure prepared for the event here.

More information on the event (ECHO webpage): here.

On 27 September 2018, the European Commission and UNICEF will organise an event on 'Gender-based Violence in Emergencies'. 

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Humanitarian crises, displacement and conflict place women, girls, boys, and men at increased risk of violence and abuse, including sexual violence used as a weapon of war. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a violation of human rights and a pervasive, life-threatening protection issue that is exacerbated in emergencies. Governments, international organisations, civil society and communities are working together to protect children, adolescent girls, women, men and boys from gender-based violence during crises and protracted emergencies.

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The event will explore how humanitarian efforts effectively tackle and end gender-based violence in emergencies - from providing safe and comprehensive services from the outset of crises to strengthening policies and systems to address gender-based violence risks.

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UNICEF and the European Union are committed to prevent and respond to such violence and are partners of the ‘Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies' - a multi-stakeholder initiative launched in 2013 to fundamentally transform the way gender-based violence is tackled in humanitarian emergencies.

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The event takes place on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA73) with the participation of High-Level Panelists.

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Date: Thursday, 27 September 2018

Time and Venue: 8.45 am – 10.00 am and UNICEF House, Labouisse Hall (3 United Nations Plaza, NY 10017)

Hosts

• Henrietta H. Fore, UNICEF Executive Director

• Christos Stylianides, European Union Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management

Moderator

• Monique Pariat, Director-General, European Commission – Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

Panelists

• Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, UNFPA

• Tahmina Yesmin, Lead-Gender, Community Based & Legal Protection, BRAC, Bangladesh

• Amber Clough, Researcher, Johns Hopkins University

• Ilwad Elman, Director of Elman Peace Centre, youth activist, Somalia

• Diane Jacovella, Deputy Minister of International Development, Government of Canada

• David Miliband, President and CEO, International Rescue Committee

Follow via web-streaming: https://uni.cf/gbv-emergencies (NOTE: the link will only become live on the day of the event)

#CalltoActionGBV

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(Photo: ©UNICEF/UN0185847/Tremeau)

The European Commission is delighted to invite you to the Event

Call to Action: Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies

Wednesday 27 June 2018, 14h30 – 17h30

Management Centre Europe, Brussels

This public event aims to raise awareness on gender-based violence (GBV) in emergencies, highlight challenges and opportunities in responding to GBV, and disseminate information on the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies.

OPENINGING ADDRESSES

Ms. Monique Pariat, Director-General, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

Ms. Heidi Hautala, Member of the European Parliament 

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KEYNOTE ADDRESS 

Ms. Lamiya Aji Bashar, Yazidi human rights activist and winner of Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2016 

PANEL

Preventing and responding to Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies: challenges and opportunities

CHAIR

Ms. Monique Pariat, Director-General, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

SPEAKERS

Ms. Angelina Nyajima, Founder and Executive Director, Hope Restoration South Sudan (HRSS)

Ms. Saja Michael, Gender and Diversity Technical Advisor, ABAAD – Resource Gender for Gender Equality in Lebanon

Mr. Rasmus Stuhr Jakobsen, Secretary General, CARE Denmark

Mr. Dan Baker, Senior Humanitarian Adviser to the Executive Director, UNFPA

Ms. Alexandra MacKenzie, Director, Humanitarian Organisations and Food Assistance Division, Global Affairs Canada

Questions and answers from the audience (at least 30 min)

A cocktail reception will take place from 17h30 to 18h30

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Register here.

Please note that the registration deadline is 22 June.

We strongly advise you to register as soon as possible, as room capacity for this event is limited. We will accept registrations on a first-come-first-served basis.

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If you have registered, but unable to attend, or someone else is replacing you, please inform us as soon as possible by email: ECHO-CALLTOACTIONGBV@ec.europa.eu

Gender-based violence is a pervasive and life-threatening, health, human rights and protection issue which is exacerbated in humanitarian emergencies.

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The eradication of gender-based violence is a priority for the EU. This is why the EU (through DG ECHO), took over the leadership of the global multistakeholder initiative 'Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies' (Call to Action) in June 2017, to drive structural change and foster accountability. 

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This High-Level Panel Debate will raise awareness on  the need to further prevent, mitigate and respond to gender-based violence in humanitarian crises and discuss the essential aspects of working on GBV in emergencies.  

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Organiser: DG ECHO

Key points

• Gender-based violence is a critical issue across the spectrum of humanitarian intervention.

• As well as repairing physical damage, victims of sexual violence require mental health treatment.

• Funding needs to be more flexible, as it is less useful when too specific.

• Beyond responding to emergencies, education and the long-term need to be taken into consideration.

To celebrate International Women's Day on 8 March, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Brussels will launch the photography exhibition, "This is a Woman's World," on 6 March at the Halles de Saint-Géry.

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The photo exhibition consists of a series of 20 portraits capturing the daily struggle of displaced women, and their strength in overcoming hardship and rebuilding their lives in society.

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The free exhibition will run from 6 to 26 March and is supported by the European Commission which is currently leading the global initiative "Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies".

Additionally, on 8 March, the European Commission's directorate-general for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations and UNHCR will host a roundtable discussion "Operationalising the Call to Action on Protection from Gender Based Violence in Emergencies".

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The Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies, currently led by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, is a global initiative aimed at fundamentally transforming the way gender-based violence is addressed in humanitarian emergencies through collective action. The roundtable will enable pannellists to address challenges and opportunities in the operationalisation of their commitments, and shed light on good practices and lessons learnt in the implementation of their activities.

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Following the roundtable, there will be a reception and concert marking the inauguration of the photo exhibition “This is a Woman’s World”. Registration for the roundtable is free.

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Exhibition

Date: 06/03 – 26/03

Location: Halles Saint-Géry, 1 Place Saint-Géry, outdoor exhibition space, under the glass canopy, 1000 Brussels

Roundtable discussion

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Date: 08/03/2017

Time: 16:00 – 17:30. A welcome coffee will be served from 15:30

Location: Halles Saint-Géry, 1 Place Saint-Géry, 1000 Brussels

On 23 January, the EU Delegation hosted a debate on how to better prevent gender-based violence in emergencies.

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EU Ambassador Carl Hallergard, Deputy Head of the Delegation, chaired the discussion and underlined the EU's commitment to supporting survivors of gender-based violence and eradicating such violence. Monique Pariat, Director General of the European Commission Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations  (DG ECHO), underlined that in June 2017 the EU took over the leadership of the 'Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies' and laid out the EU's priorities and actions in this regard. She highlighted in particular the need for all actors to do better on preventing such violence. "Preventing gender-based violence is a shared responsibility of all humanitarian actors," she said. Ms Pariat stressed the importance of joining the Call to Action partnership to drive change and foster accountability in the humanitarian system to address gender-based violence.

Other panellists were UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements and International Advocacy Director and UN Representative of Save the Children, Anita Bay. Ms Clements underlined the need to include a gender-based approach in every sector and to integrate the international community, governments, but also international organisations in the fight against gender-based violence in emergencies. Ms Bay focused on the needs of children, who represent half of the victims of wars and face severe and different trauma. She thanked the EU for funding programmes and taking action, particularly through taking a leadership position. Ms Bay called for the necessity of accountability and ending impunity while also providing support for survivors. Julie Hall, Chief of Staff and Director of the Office of the Secretary General of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Carla Ruta, Legal Advisor at Geneva Call, also attended the discussion and gave insights into their work. Ms Hall emphasized the importance of mainstreaming a gender approach into all programmes and areas of work and stressed the importance of availability of good data to provide targeted programs. Ms Ruta focused on Geneva Call's work of engaging with Armed Non-State Actors and holding them accountable to international humanitarian law: "It is a delicate but indispensable tool to fight gender-based violence in emergencies."

The EU has been an active member of the Call to Action since its launch in 2013. The continued support to the Call to Action was an EU commitment at the World Humanitarian Summit and is reflected in the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2018. Gender-based violence is a priority for the EU. For instance in 2016, the EU allocated more than €27 million in humanitarian aid for the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence, reaching almost 3.4 million women, men, girls and boys through 84 different projects.

Today the European Union (EU) formally takes over the leadership of the global initiative 'Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies', from Sweden, at a handover event organised at the 2017 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment in Geneva.

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During its one-year leadership, the EU will focus on strengthening awareness and implementation of the Call to Action by the humanitarian community, in particular at field level. In line with the Call to Action Road Map 2016-2020, the EU will also advocate for the need to prevent and respond to gender-based violence during each phase of an emergency.  

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"Gender-based violence is a very serious issue in humanitarian crises across the world. It is a priority to tackle for the European Commission. We will use this role to focus on strengthening awareness and encourage the humanitarian community to take stronger action, particularly in crisis zones," said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides.

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Monique Pariat, Director General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations represented the EU during the handover event at Palais des Nations in Geneva today. Other speakers included Ambassador Veronika Bard, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Sweden in Geneva, and Melanie Ward, Associate Director for Policy and Advocacy at the International Rescue Committee.

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The EU has been an active member of the Call to Action since its launch in 2013. The continued support to the Call to Action was an EU commitment at the World Humanitarian Summit and is reflected in the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2018. The EU will be the fourth lead of the Call to Action following the United Kingdom, the United States, and Sweden.

Gender-based violence is a a priority for the EU. In 2016, the EU allocated more than €18 million in humanitarian aid for the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence, reaching almost 3.4 million women, men, girls and boys through 84 different projects.

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In addition, the EU also funds global capacity-building projects on gender and gender-based violence to support the implementation of the Call to Action Road Map. In 2016, €1.8 million was made available for this purpose.   

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Background

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The 'Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies' is a global initiative which brings together over 60 members, including states and donors, international organisations and NGOs striving to ensure that gender-based violence is addressed in humanitarian crises. Its goal is to drive change and foster accountability so that every humanitarian effort, from the earliest phases of a crisis, includes the policies, systems and mechanisms to mitigate gender-based violence risks, especially violence against women and girls, and to provide safe and comprehensive services for those affected by gender-based violence.

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The 2013 EU gender policy outlines the European Commission's approach to gender and gender-based violence in humanitarian aid. To support policy implementation and coherence, the European Commission has also introduced a Gender-Age Marker, which applies to all projects funded since January 2014. According to the Gender-Age Marker, in 2015, 89% of all EU-funded humanitarian actions integrated gender and age considerations.

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