March 20th, 2025 | Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN, New York & Online
The ICGBV, the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN, the Government of Sierra Leone and the National Women’s Council of Ireland co-hosted a CSW69 side event exploring the role of the survivor in GBV initiatives. The event brought together survivor leaders, policymakers, practitioners and advocates to explore how survivors can drive justice, policy reform, and systemic change.
Speakers underscored the crucial role of survivor leadership in shaping effective GBV responses. Ambassador Fergal Mythen reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to tackling GBV in his opening remarks and emphasized that survivor voices must be central to accountability efforts. Katrien Coppens gave the keynote speech, highlighting the far-reaching effects of trauma, the importance of breaking the silence, and how linking survivors through networks has strengthened advocacy efforts. Ivanna Youtchak emphasised the ethical and cost-effective approach of ensuring the meaningful engagement of survivors from the outset. Róisín Gallagher, recommended survivor leadership as key to increasing GBV accountability and called for greater funding to end GBV.
During the 50-minute panel discussion, panellists Tinebeb Berhane (ActionAid, Ethiopia), Ruth Quinn (Global Survivors Fund), and Iryna Dovgan (SEMA Ukraine) answered questions from the moderator on accountability and the expert status of survivors. Alisa Kovalenko (SEMA Ukraine) showed a trailer for her upcoming documentary on CRSV in Ukraine. Key themes during the discussion included:
- The Crucial Role of Survivor Leadership
- Breaking the Silence & Strengthening Survivor Networks
- Survivors at the Heart and Start (of all systems and services)
- Avoiding Stigmatization & Preserving Dignity
- The Transformational Power of Survivor-Led Reparations
- Raising Awareness to Reach More Survivors
- Funding to End GBV: Challenges and Opportunities
- Recognizing Survivors as Experts & Changing Social Norms
Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Sierra Leone, Isata Mahoi, reflected on the suffering of SGBV survivors from the civil war in SL, who were not catered for during reparations. She closed the session by commending the research presented, which she said would go a long way in enhancing quality of care for survivors, encouraging us to transition to survivor-led accountability
Throughout the session, speakers and panellists reinforced that GBV remains critically underfunded and that flexible, sustainable financing is essential to support survivor-led initiatives, long-term recovery, and systemic change. The conversation reinforced that survivors must not only be included in decision-making but lead efforts for accountability and change.
Watch a recording of the event here.