All posts by Róisín Gallagher

 
Our News, Publications

ICGBV says increased commitment needed to fight “shadow pandemic” of violence against women around the world

The Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence (ICGBV) has said an increased commitment is needed to ensure a world free of violence against women and girls, warning that Covid-19 has created “a pandemic within a pandemic”.

Caoimhe de Barra, Chair of the ICGBV and Trócaire CEO, said today that Gender Based violence (GBV) is “a shadow pandemic” impacting on millions of women and girls around the world unable to access services or seek safety because of the Covid-19 restrictions.

“It is a very challenging time globally with the Covid-19 pandemic intensifying and exacerbating pre-existing inequalities. Covid-19 and the associated public health restrictions have led to a surge in GBV as many women and girls have limited access to functioning services which exposes them to risks. The continued acceleration of the climate crisis and conflict is also disrupting livelihoods and displacing people and thus multiplying risk factors for GBV.” she said.

Speaking at the launching of the ICGBV’s new strategic plan for 2021 – 2026, Ms de Barra called on the Government to leverage its political and leadership capital to address GBV and advance gender equality at the international level.

“In recent years, Ireland has demonstrated its commitment and leadership on efforts to eradicate GBV. Now more than ever, this vital work will require increased funds to ensure that we create a world where survivors are supported and protected, a world where women’s rights are valued, and a world beyond fear for women and girls,” Ms de Barra said.

The consortium’s new strategic plan identifies three priorities to address GBV:

  • The promotion of GBV prevention programming and gender equality. This requires addressing the power imbalances between males and females, as well as the social and gender norms that justify gender inequality.
  • Advancing GBV risk mitigation within humanitarian and development work. This requires compiling and distributing standards for risk mitigation, building/strengthening technical capacity in humanitarian organisations, and advancing learning between global and local contexts.
  • Strengthening the response to GBV. This includes improved access to security and justice, psychosocial support, safety and risk mitigation, and health care in humanitarian crisis and development work.

Launching the new strategy Minister of State with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy T.D, said: “The ICGBV an innovative collaboration, is now 17 years old. We came together in 2005 to respond to the horrific sexual violence that was occurring in Darfur at that time.  My department is honoured to work in this unique partnership with humanitarian and development NGOs, and the Defence Forces.”

He added: “Addressing gender-based violence is a key foreign policy of Ireland. We champion it at the UN Security Council, in our humanitarian responses, and in our development cooperation partnerships. The Irish Consortium on Gender-Based Violence has significantly strengthened and informed Ireland’s leadership in this area. Today’s launch of the new Strategic Plan will generate renewed momentum and commitment, and will help us eliminate this most egregious and persistent abuse of human rights globally.”

The ICGBV’s full strategic report 2021-2026 can be found here.

 
Our News

Press Release: Trócaire CEO takes over Chair of Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence   

Press Release 

For Immediate Release 

 

Trócaire CEO takes over Chair of Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence  

The Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence (ICGBV) is delighted to announce the appointment of Caoimhe de Barra, the CEO of overseas development agency Trócaire, as the new Chair of the ICGBV.

Since becoming CEO of Trócaire in October 2018, and in her previous roles, Ms. de Barra has been a staunch advocate for gender equality and the important work on eliminating all forms of violence, especially GBV.

“This is an important moment for the Consortium, as we finalise our next Strategic Plan. I am delighted to be taking over the role of Chair during this exciting time. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Siobhán McGee, CEO of ActionAid Ireland, for all the excellent work she did Chairing the ICGBV for the past 2 years,” said Caoimhe de Barra.

The Consortium is a unique and impactful organisation, made up of Irish development and humanitarian NGOs, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Defence Forces. The ICGBV works to achieve an end to GBV through research, sharing learning, policy analysis, and influence and programme work in countries affected by extreme inequality, conflict and poverty.

As an active member of the ICGBV since its foundation, Trócaire prioritises working on human rights, especially the rights of women and girls. In the organisation’s new Strategic Plan Trócaire has committed to supporting women and girls’ protection, voice and leadership including delivering high quality GBV response and prevention programmes. Last year Trócaire’s work on supporting women reached 278,000 people in fourteen countries.

Under the new Chair’s leadership, the Consortium hopes to continue the work of advancing learning and best practice programming in relation to GBV for all members going forward.

You can find out more about the work of the Consortium here: www.gbv.ie

-Ends- 

Note to Editors: 

The Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence is an alliance of Irish human rights, humanitarian and development organisations, Irish Aid and the Irish Defence Forces. The Consortium was formed in 2005 to address the high levels of sexual violence that is perpetrated in international conflict and crisis situations.

Its members are: ActionAid Ireland, Christian Aid Ireland, Concern Worldwide, Irish Defence Forces, GOAL, IFRAH Foundation, Irish Aid, Irish Red Cross, Oxfam Ireland, Plan International Ireland, Self Help Africa, Trócaire and World Vision Ireland.

 
Our News, Webinars

CSW65 event recording: How GBV impacts the full & equal participation of women and girls

On March 25th, the ICGBV hosted an event for the 65th Commission on the Status of Women. We focused in on how GBV can impact the full and equal participation of women and girls with disabilities.

A recording of the event can be viewed below. A full transcript for the event can be accessed here. YouTube also provides closed captions.

Please note that due to technical difficulties on Zoom, unfortunately the international sign interpretation did not record. Carolyn’s Philippine Sign Language did not record either, however her interpreters John and Joi are viewable in the video and the transcript can be access at the link above or via YouTube.

Agenda:

  • Introduction – Siobhan McGee, Chair ICGBV & CEO ActionAid Ireland
  • Opening remarks – Ambassador Geraldine Bryne Nason, Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations
  • Moderation – Mary Keogh, Advocacy Director, CBM Global

Speakers:

  • Carolyn Dagani – President, Philippine Federation of the Deaf
  • Tendai Dondofema – Social Worker, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust
  • Barbra Nyangairi – Executive Director, Deaf Zimbabwe Trust

 

 
Our News, Publications, Webinars

Disability Inclusion in GBV Programming Brief & Recording of Webinar

The Irish Consortium and CBM Ireland hosted a webinar event to mark the launch a new programme learning brief, ‘Disability Inclusion in GBV Programming’.

This paper can be viewed and downloaded here, or by clicking on the icon of the paper below. The recording is also available, at the bottom of this webpage.

To mark the launch of the paper, the ICGBV & CBM hosted a webinar with experts working to improve the lives of women and girls with disabilities globally. The recording of this event is available below, and the captioning transcript can be viewed here.

*NB: Captions accompanying this webinar will be posted shortly.

  • Opening Remarks: Vicky Dillon, Policy Lead – Gender Equality, Department of Foreign Affairs
  • Moderation:  Lou Talbot Beirne, CBM Ireland

Speakers:

  • Sharon Matingwina, Program Manager, Musasa Project
  • Mariam Al-Salahat, MHPSS and Protection Coordinator, World Vision Syria Response
  • Abia Akram, Chair – Asia Pacific Women with Disabilities & CEO – National Forum of Women with Disabilities Pakistan
  • Emma Pearce, Gender & Inclusion Consultant, Women’s Refugee Commission
 
Our News, Webinars

16 Days of Activism – Event Roundup

16 Days of Activism Event Roundup

Is this list missing your event? Email brianna.guidorzi@gbv.ie

November 25th

November 26th

November 30th

December 3rd

December 8th 

December 9th

December 10th

 
Our News

Upcoming webinar & paper launch: Disability inclusion in GBV programming

The Irish Consortium on GBV and CBM Ireland are co-hosting a webinar for the launch of a new programme learning brief entitled “Disability Inclusion in GBV Programming.” This webinar will take place on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and during the 16 Days of Activism against GBV.

This event is open to all, but registration is required here.

We will be joined by several speakers:

Opening Remarks:
– Michelle Winthrop, Policy Director – Irish Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs

Speakers:
– Emma Pierce, Gender & Inclusion Consultant
– Mariam Al-Salahat, MHPSS and Protection Coordinator, World Vision Syria Response
– Precious Taru, Musasa Project Zimbabwe
– Others TBD

 
Our News, Webinars

10/11/2020 – Women, Peace & Security: A Feminist Agenda

On November 10th, the ICGBV held an online panel discussion on Women, Peace & Security: A Feminist Agenda. The recording is available above.

Following on from the 20th anniversary of the Women, Peace & Security 1325 Security Council resolution, this webinar explored the WPS agenda from a feminist perspective. In the discussion, panelists shared the ways in which they feel that a feminist agenda might more fundamentally reshape the peace and security sphere as we look ahead to future advancements in WPS, and reflect on successes from 20 years of this agenda.

Moderator – Dr. Caitriona Dowd, Assistant Professor in Security Studies at Dublin City University

Opening Remarks – Áine Hearns, Director of the Conflict Resolution Unit at the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland

Panelists:

  • Lucía Baca – Coordinator, Peace and Transitional Justice Team, Colombia Diversa
  • Sarah Cotton – Public Affairs and Policy Advisor, International Committee of the Red Cross
  • Commandant Gillian Collins – Gender Equality and Diversity Advisor, Irish Defence Forces
  • Dr. Zeynep Kaya – Associate Academic, WPS Centre, London School of Economics
  • Hadeel Qazzaz – Regional Gender Justice Coordinator, MENA, Oxfam International