Dublin, 09 December 2025 – The Irish Consortium on Gender-Based Violence (ICGBV) commemorated its 20th anniversary at Iveagh House, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs. The event brought together government leaders, civil society, grassroots advocates, academia, corporates and humanitarian actors to reflect on two decades of collaboration—and to confront the urgent challenges ahead as violence against women escalates worldwide and support for women-led organisations declines.
The Reality in 2025:
- Nearly 1 in 3 women globally—an estimated 840 million people—have experienced sexual or partner violence in their lifetime.
- 676 million women now live within 50km of deadly conflict—the highest level in 30 years.
- Conflict-related sexual violence has surged 87% in just two years.
- Every day, 140 women and girls are killed by an intimate partner or family member.
- Despite record military spending, only 0.4% of aid reaches women’s organisations in conflict settings, many on the brink of closure.
Women-led organisations report that GBV response programmes have been hardest hit by funding cuts—67% of services reduced or closed.
This commemoration coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, reinforcing Ireland’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Ireland’s newly launched National Action Plan on WPS signals continued leadership in gender equality and peacebuilding.
Speaking ahead of the event, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, said:
“At a time when many governments are retreating, Ireland is resolute. Tackling gender-based violence is a matter of justice, security, and human dignity. When women and girls are safe, societies are stronger, economies thrive, and peace endures.”
Michael Gaffey, Director General of Irish Aid, added:
“This is why gender equality and ending GBV remain at the heart of Ireland’s international development policy. Our commitment is unwavering because the cost of inaction is measured in lives lost and futures stolen.”
The anniversary event featured a diverse range of speakers including:
- Alice Kachere, Gender Based Violence Community Advocate, Malawi
- Susan Mani, Rainbo Initiative, Sierra Leone
- Michael Gaffey, DG Irish Aid
- Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, human rights law expert
Other notable contributions to the event included insights from: Dr. Isata Bendu Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Sierra Leone, Professor Nata Duvvury, Director, Centre for Global Women’s Studies, University of Galway and Jayne Lawlor, Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Irish Defence Forces
Chair of ICGBV, Siobhán Walsh, underscored the urgency
“Gender-based violence does not pause during crises or funding shortages—it intensifies when support systems collapse. The progress of the past 20 years has been hard-won because of the power of partnership. This Consortium is unique—bringing together government, the Defence Forces, and civil society to work side by side for a common purpose. To all of you—our member NGOs, sister consortia, the Irish Government, and the Defence Forces—thank you for your steadfast commitment. Now, more than ever, we must stay the course and double down on our efforts. We owe this to courageous change-makers on the front lines—those restoring dignity, changing futures, and keeping hope alive. Hope is not passive; it is a deliberate choice to keep building on these gains and to act together for a safer, more equal, and more just world for everyone.
Note to Editor:
The Irish Consortium on Gender-Based Violence (ICGBV) is a unique Irish-based alliance of international humanitarian, development, and human rights organisations, working alongside Irish Aid and the Irish Defence Forces. Established in 2005 in response to reports of systematic sexual violence in Darfur, Sudan, the Consortium promotes knowledge-sharing, strengthens policy and programming on GBV in humanitarian and development contexts, and builds leadership toward a shared vision: a world free from gender-based violence.
For more information visit: ICGBV | Moving Beyond Fear