All posts by Róisín Gallagher

 

CSW67 Side Event – Gender Based Violence and Technology Risks Opportunities and Challenge

The Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence hosted a Side Event for the 67th Commission on the Status of Women titled ‘Gender-Based Violence and Technology: Risks, Opportunities, Challenges.’

The event was organised with the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Department of Foreign Affairs. In conjunction with this event, the Consortium developed a policy paper: ‘Technology and GBV: Risk and Opportunities’ available here.

It was a powerful event, which was expertly introduced and moderated by Jennifer McCarthy Flynn, Coordinator of the Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence.

The speakers were outstanding and represented a strong and diverse mix of women from the Global South as well as policy makers from Ireland and the EU. Minister Roderic O’Gorman and Ambassador Fergal Mythen represented the Government of Ireland.

Speakers included:

  • Jennifer McCarthy Flynn, ICGBV
  • Dr. Jennifer Okeke, National Women’s Council, Ireland
  • Rebecca Kallih, Rainbo Initiative, Sierra Leone
  • Hon. Neema Lugangari, Member of Parliament, Tanzania
  • Sarah Schlitz, Federal State Secretary for Gender Equality, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, Belgium

Video contributions were made by Ifrah Ahmed, IFRAH Foundation and Nisha Lama Karki, Action Aid Nepal and can be watched below:

 

16 Days 2022: Irelands time on UNSC

During 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence the Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence hosted an event on the Ireland’s time on the United Nations Security Council and the role local women’s voices played in their mission.

Over 2021-2022, Ireland co-chaired the Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security with Mexico. The Consortium organised listening sessions with women civil-society actors and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland to share local women’s perspectives ahead of the Informal Expert Group meetings.

Our excellent panelists included:

– Ambassador Fergal Mythen: Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations

– Mona Ahmed al-Shawwa: Director of the Women’s Rights Unit of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights

– Leïla El Ali: Executive Director of Association Najdeh

– Charline Yakombo Epiphanie Bangbi: Assistant Project Manager Conflict, Gender, Disaster Risk Reduction for Concern Worldwide

– Pablo Castillo Diaz: Policy Specialist on Peace and Security at UN Women

 

CSW66: Gender Based Violence and Climate Change

The theme of the 66th Commission on the Status of Women was ‘Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes.

It is undeniable that there is a link between Gender Based Violence and Climate Change.

To highlight the main challenges of survivors we brought together several key speakers on the impact climate change is having on survivors of Gender Based Violence.

To contribute to this discussion we, the ICGBV, developed a briefing on climate change and its intersecting nature with gender based violence available here.

Moderating the briefing was Caoimhe de Barra, Chairperson of the ICGBV and CEO of Trócaire. Panellists included Nancy Waegao, Gender Equality Project Manager, World Vision Solomon Islands, Carolina Amaya, Environmental Human Rights Defender, El Salvador and Grace Malera, Ombudsman Malawi.

 

 

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence 2021- ICGBV Conference: From Awareness to Accountability

To mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in 2021, the Irish Consortium on GBV held a conference entitled ‘From Awareness to Accountability’.

Our session was moderated by Caoimhe de Barra, Chair, ICGBV and CEO, Trócaire. A video message was shared from Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, Irish Ambassador to the United Nations. A keynote address given by Julienne Lusenge, Director, SOFEPADI and FFC, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Our panel was moderated by Amany Qaddour, Regional Director, Syria Relief and Development.

Speakers:

  • Marcela Sanchez, Director, Colombia Diversa
  • Dr. Rouba Mhaissen, Director, Sawa for Development and Aid
  • Angelina Nyajima Simon Jial, Executive Director, Hope Restoration South Sudan
  • Caoimhe ní Chonchuir, Permanent Representation of Ireland to the UN