All posts by Róisín Gallagher

 
Our News

TRACES – the Irish premiere of the award winning Ukrainian documentary on conflict related sexual violence and panel discussion event. 

TRACES Director Alisa Kovalenko and protagonist Iryna Dovhan will attend the Irish premiere at the IFI Documentary Festival in Dublin on 24 September 2026. The premiere of TRACES will be followed on 25 September by a panel discussion at Europe House exploring conflict-related sexual violence, survivor leadership and their role in the pursuit of justice and accountability, in collaboration with the Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence, SEMA (We Will Speak Out) Ukraine and the Embassy of Ukraine in Ireland. 

Bringing together documentary cinema, lived experience, and human rights advocacy, the two events will examine conflict-related sexual violence committed in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the struggle against silence and impunity, and the important role played by survivors as active participants in shaping justice.  

TRACES received the Berlinale Panorama Audience Award for best documentary film and has been selected as Ukraine’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards in 2027. In a statement, the Ukrainian Academy Awards Committee called “Traces” an “honest and profound documentary about an experience that is extremely difficult to put into words, and about the strength of women who find the courage within themselves not to remain silent […] Despite the extreme complexity of the subject matter, the film finds a delicate and expressive cinematic language that does not alienate the viewer but allows them to connect with the protagonists, hear their stories, and empathize with them”. 

ICGBV’s involvement builds on its previous collaboration with Alisa Kovalenko and Iryna Dovhan. Both participated in ICGBV’s panel discussion on survivor leadership at the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in 2025, where a trailer for TRACES was screened. SEMA Ukraine, the survivor-led organisation of which they are members, was also featured in ICGBV’s research, From Survivor-Centred to Survivor-Led: Lessons from Promising Survivor-Led GBV Accountability Initiatives. ICGBV is delighted to welcome Alisa and Iryna to Dublin to continue promoting their work and elevate inspiring examples of survivor leadership. 

 

24 SEPTEMBER | IRISH PREMIERE 

IFI Documentary Festival 2026
Time: 18:15
Venue: Irish Film Institute (IFI), Cinema 2, Temple Bar, Dublin 

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Alisa Kovalenko and Iryna Dovhan, the film’s main protagonist and Head of SEMA Ukraine, hosted by Zlata Filipović. 

Buy tickets here. 

 

25 SEPTEMBER | PANEL DISCUSSION 

SURVIVOR LEADERS IN PURSUIT OF JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY 

The panel discussion will bring together survivor leaders, human rights advocates, and experts to explore the role of survivors in shaping justice and accountability. The panel discussion will be moderated by Colonel Jayne Lawlor of the Irish Defence Forces, with panellists Filmmaker Alisa Kovalenko, Iryna Dovhan, SEMA Ukraine, Professor Catherine O’Rourke, DCU and Róisín Gallagher, ICGBV. 

Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland Larysa Gerasko will officially open the event. 

Building on the issues raised in TRACES, the discussion will move from testimony to action, asking what it means for survivors to challenge narratives of passive victimhood and become active participants in shaping justice, accountability, and peacebuilding. 

At its heart is a simple principle: survivors should not only be heard — they must have the power to shape the decisions, processes and institutions that determine what justice and accountability look like. 

  

ABOUT THE FILM 

TRACES tells the stories of Ukrainian women who survived conflict-related sexual violence, captivity and torture during Russia’s aggression against Ukraine — and who refuse to remain silent. 

The film follows human rights defender Iryna Dovhan as she travels through de-occupied territories of Ukraine, meeting women whose lives have been profoundly marked by violence and documenting crimes that remain among the most hidden consequences of war. 

The film’s director, Alisa Kovalenko, is herself a survivor of captivity and conflict-related sexual violence committed in 2014 in the Donbas region controlled by Russian and pro-Russian forces. In 2019, she joined SEMA Ukraine and has since been actively engaged in human rights and advocacy addressing CRSV in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Since 2025, she has also been a member of SEMA — the Global Network of CRSV Survivors. Her personal experience and long-term advocacy became the foundation for TRACES, making the film a rare and deeply survivor-led work — created with and from within the survivor community. 

Moving beyond narratives of victimhood, TRACES is a film about courage, agency, and solidarity.  

Watch the trailer for TRACES here.  

 
Our News, updates

ICGBV Appoints Rosamond Bennett as New Chair

The Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence (ICGBV) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rosamond Bennett, CEO of Christian Aid Ireland, as Chair of the Consortium. 

Rosamond succeeds Siobhán Walsh, who served as Chair of ICGBV while CEO of GOAL and beyond, helping to steer the Consortium through a period of significant change and challenge across the humanitarian and international development sector. 

A long-standing advocate for gender equality and humanitarian action, Rosamond has led Christian Aid Ireland since 2012 and previously served as Chair of ICGBV. She is currently Chair of Dóchas, bringing both continuity and a deep understanding of the Consortium’s mission and membership. 

Speaking about her appointment, Rosamond Bennett said: “It is a privilege to take on the role of Chair of the Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence at such an important time. Hard-won progress on gender equality is under threat, while funding pressures are placing vital GBV services and women-led organisations under increasing strain. I look forward to working together to advance sustained action on gender-based violence.” 

The transition follows a period of significant activity under Siobhán’s leadership, including engagement at the 68th and 69th sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, strengthened partnerships with sister consortia in Sierra Leone and Malawi, publication of research on GBV financing and survivor leadership, and  the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, including marking ICGBV’s 20th anniversary in December 2026. 

Outgoing Chair Siobhán Walsh said: “It has been an honour to serve as Chair of ICGBV over the past three years. During a period of profound change across the humanitarian and development sector, the Consortium has continued to champion the rights, safety and leadership of women and girls affected by conflict, crisis and displacement. At a time when many international donors are reducing support for gender equality and protection programming, Ireland’s continued commitment to addressing gender-based violence on the global stage has been both important and influential. I am proud of the role ICGBV and its members have played in supporting that leadership through evidence, advocacy and partnership, and I am delighted to welcome Rosamond as our new Chair.” 

ICGBV extends its sincere thanks to Siobhán Walsh for her leadership, commitment and service as Chair, and to GOAL for continuing to host and support the Consortium Secretariat.  

The Consortium looks forward to this new chapter under Rosamond’s leadership as it continues its work towards a world free from gender-based violence. 

 
Learning Briefs

ICGBV Presentation and Resources on Survivor Leadership

Thank you for attending the ICGBV presentation on survivor engagement and leadership at the Malawi GBV Learning, Innovation and Action Symposium 2026.

View the presentation slides here.

Phase I research

Read the ICGBV’s published research, From Survivor-Centred to Survivor-Led: Lessons from Promising Survivor-Led Gender-Based Violence Accountability Initiatives.

The report introduces the Continuum of Survivor Engagement and provides recommendations for states, policymakers, practitioners, donors and researchers seeking to support survivor-led GBV initiatives.

Read the Phase I research.

Watch previous events

Watch the Phase I research launch held during the 16 Days of Activism in 2024.

Watch the ICGBV’s survivor-leadership event at the 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Stay informed

The ICGBV is currently undertaking Phase II of this research, further developing the continuum into a practical tool that organisations can use to assess and strengthen survivor engagement and leadership.

Subscribe to the ICGBV newsletter to be notified when the Phase II findings and practical tool are published.

You can also follow the ICGBV on LinkedIn for research, events, learning opportunities and updates on our work.

 
Annual Reports, News Digest, Our News, Publications, updates

ICGBV Publishes 2025 Annual Review, Marking 20 Years of Collective Action

 

The Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence (ICGBV) has launched its 2025 Annual Review, marking 20 years of collective action to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV)—and a significant moment of transition in its leadership. 

After nearly three years as Chair, Siobhán Walsh concludes her term, having worked to strengthen and elevate the Consortium’s position as a trusted platform for collaboration, learning, advocacy, and engagement, both among members and across the wider sector. Her commitment to the mission of the ICGBV has been evident throughout her leadership. ICGBV now looks ahead to welcoming Rosamond Bennett, CEO of Christian Aid Ireland, who will take on the role of Chair from 28 July, bringing extensive experience and a strong track record of leadership within the Consortium. 

This milestone moment reflects both change and continuity for the Consortium. Alongside new leadership, ICGBV warmly welcomes the continued role of GOAL as host of the ICGBV team—providing strong operational support and ensuring the consistent, high-quality delivery of the Consortium’s work. 

Founded in response to the Darfur crisis, ICGBV has spent two decades driving coordinated, collaborative approaches to tackling GBV. The 20th anniversary provided a chance to reflect on that impact and to recognise the increasingly complex global context in which the work continues. 

Today, hard-won gains in gender equality are under growing pressure. Shrinking funding and rising need are placing strain on already overstretched systems—particularly grassroots, women-led and women’s rights organisations. 

Against this backdrop, the work of ICGBV and its members is more vital than ever. The ICGBV 2025 Annual Review offers a comprehensive overview of the year’s work, achievements, and priorities for the future, and we encourage you to read it to learn more about the impact of our collective efforts. 

Read the full report here. 

 
Our News, updates

ICGBV Advances Survivor Leadership and Engagement Research with Sierra Leone Visit

The Irish Consortium on Gender-Based Violence (ICGBV), in partnership with Trinity College Dublin, is progressing the next phase of its global research on survivor leadership and engagement in gender-based violence (GBV) programming, with a visit to Sierra Leone scheduled for June 2026.

Building on earlier research conducted in 2024, which identified a continuum of survivor engagement in GBV initiatives, this second phase focuses on deepening understanding of survivor-led approaches—where survivors play a central role in shaping decisions, priorities, and implementation. The previous findings highlighted that while many organisations adopt survivor-centred approaches, these do not always translate into shared decision-making power.

Strengthening Evidence on Survivor Leadership

The current research aims to identify and document both established and emerging examples of survivor leadership across humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding contexts. Key objectives include:

  • Mapping survivor-led and strongly survivor-centred initiatives worldwide
  • Examining how survivor leadership is enabled in practice
  • Identifying challenges, risks, and enabling factors
  • Analysing how funding and contextual dynamics influence survivor leadership
  • Developing a practical tool to help organisations strengthen survivor engagement and shift decision-making power to survivors

The research is being carried out using a qualitative and participatory approach, including surveys, interviews, and in-depth case studies.

Sierra Leone Field Visit

As part of this work, ICGBV representatives—including Coordinator Róisín Gallagher, Programme and Communications Officer Niamh O’Connor McCabe, and TCD researcher Elaine Smyth—will undertake a field visit to Sierra Leone from 14–19 June 2026.

During the visit, the team will:

  • Conduct interviews and group discussions with GBV organisations and survivor leaders
  • Engage with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Irish Embassy
  • Visit programme sites and participate in workshops
  • Collaborate with the Irish Working Group on GBV in Sierra Leone

This engagement will support the development of in-depth case studies showcasing practical applications of survivor leadership and a practical tool for use in assessing and improving survivor engagement.

Expected Outcomes

The field visit will contribute directly to the overall research outputs, which include:

  • 2 detailed case studies of survivor-led or survivor-engaged GBV initiatives
  • A practical tool for organisations to assess and strengthen survivor leadership
  • Increased knowledge-sharing and collaboration with partners and stakeholders

The final outputs aim to provide actionable, evidence-based guidance to organisations working to prevent and respond to GBV, supporting a sector-wide shift towards more inclusive and survivor-driven programming.

 
Learning Briefs, Our News, updates

ICGBV marks 20 Years of tackling Gender-Based Violence, amid rising conflict and decreasing support for women-led organisations across the world

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 video 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

 
Annual Reports, News Digest, Our News, Publications, updates

Annual Report 2024

The ICGBV has published its 2024 Annual Report. 

In 2024, our members continued to demonstrate leadership and deep commitment to a world free from Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Highlights include the launch of two research publications, Tracking the Money Towards Ending GBV and From Survivor-Centred to Survivor-Led, as well as growing international engagement at CSW68, in the WPS agenda and through our global 16 Days campaign. 

The report documents Consortium progress across our strategic pillars of Prevention, Mitigation, and Response, and features snapshots of members’ work and achievements of our International Consortia in Sierra Leone and Malawi. 

Read the full report here. A printer-friendly version is available here.