The Irish Consortium on Gender-Based Violence (ICGBV) is proud to announce the release of a ground-breaking report exploring the shift from survivor-centred to survivor-led accountability in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

Since the adoption of our 2021–2026 Strategic Plan, Amplifying Women’s Voices, ICGBV has been on a journey to deepen its understanding of accountability from survivors’ perspectives. This journey included, international webinars and extensive research. Through these efforts, a clear message has emerged: while survivor-centred approaches have laid important foundations, survivor-led initiatives are under researched, even though they are regarded as the gold standard for transformative and lasting impact.

This report, written by Brenda K. Kombo JD, PhD, examines established and emerging good practices from humanitarian, development, and peace support contexts worldwide. It highlights the potential of survivor-led initiatives to empower survivors as agents of change and create solutions tailored to their lived experiences.

Key findings include:

• The distinction between survivor-centered and survivor-led approaches, emphasizing the need to treat them as part of a continuum.
• Case studies showcasing the transformative impact of survivor leadership, such as the Murad Code and national survivor networks supported by the Dr Denis Mukwege Foundation.
• Practical recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and donors to support and invest in survivor-led initiatives.

Survivor-led accountability requires upholding survivors’ dignity, enabling them to lead processes if they choose, and recognising that recovery and advocacy are deeply personal and non-linear. This report provides actionable insights for organizations aiming to support survivors as leaders in the fight against GBV.

We invite policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to engage with this pivotal research and join us in advancing survivor-led accountability. Together, we can create systems that truly empower survivors and dismantle the structures enabling GBV.

Read the full paper here. There is also an executive summary available.

Want to hear directly from the researcher and featured organisations? Watch our webinar, featuring the launch of the research, overview of the key findings, and a panel discussion composed of organisations promoting survivor leadership.