All posts by Róisín Gallagher

 
Webinars

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
 
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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.

 
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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.