International Development Law Organization

IDLO AND THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

IDLO joins the global community in observing the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, through 10 December, Human Rights Day. Each year, the campaign serves as a powerful reminder that gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive and severe human rights violations, and galvanizes global action to end it.

This year’s theme, “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls”, calls for renewed and urgent focus on commitment, accountability and resourcing as the world reviews 30 years of implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a roadmap that in 1995 set the course for achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls.

While the last three decades have seen progress in the adoption of laws and policies to prevent and address violence against women and girls, barriers such as weak enforcement, discriminatory social norms, rapidly expanding technologies and a growing backlash against gender equality continue to undermine efforts to eliminate GBV.

Resources allocated to eradicating this scourge are similarly lacking. A recent IDLO publication, “Financing Women’s Justice Needs: Global Perspectives on Violence Against Women, and a Case Study on Uganda”, co-created with UN Women, UNDP, the World Bank and Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies, revealed that public spending on GBV tends to fall below 1 per cent of the total budget – that’s if it is measured at all.

During this 16 Days of Activism and beyond, IDLO will continue to use its research, policy advocacy and programming to champion a comprehensive survivor-centred justice response to GBV.

This includes focusing on elimination of discriminatory laws and ensuring the establishment of gender-responsive legal and institutional frameworks on GBV; strengthening the capacity of both formal and informal justice institutions to respond effectively to GBV; and empowering women to seek justice and claim their rights.

IDLO combatting GBV at the country level

IDLO works to eliminate GBV in countries including Honduras, Kenya, Liberia, Mongolia, Mali, Somalia, Tunisia, Uganda and Ukraine.

In Kenya, IDLO works closely with the Judiciary, the State Department of Gender Affairs and the National Gender Equality Commission to strengthen legal and policy frameworks to combat GBV at both national and county levels. We supported the launch of Kenya's first Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) Court and contributed to the establishment of Court User Committees, a Court Practice Direction and a Service Charter to uphold the dignity and fair trial rights of GBV survivors. As a result, at least 12 additional SGBV courts have since been opened.  IDLO also collaborated on the development of the National Policy on Prevention and Protection from Unlawful Sexual Acts, as well as guidelines for establishing GBV recovery centres in health facilities across the country.

In Tunisia, IDLO supports authorities in strengthening the legal framework by identifying and addressing gaps in the enforcement of Organic Law No. 2017-58 on the elimination of violence against women. Through tailored training sessions for judges, law enforcement and lawyers, we help to build capacities to implement this legislation in line with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and other international standards. The project also brings together key stakeholders to discuss legislative amendments and develop action plans for reform.

In Uganda, IDLO supports capacity building in GBV case management for institutions such as the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the police and prison services. Additionally, IDLO works with civil society organizations to conduct research on GBV, provide gender-sensitive legal aid and strengthen referral and accountability mechanisms.

In Ukraine, IDLO is advancing accountability for international crimes through a survivor-centred, trauma-informed approach to prosecuting conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). Our efforts include training the Office of the Prosecutor General and the National Prosecution Unit on international humanitarian and criminal law, enhancing their capacity to effectively prosecute CRSV cases. To support these initiatives, IDLO helped establish the Victims and Witnesses Support Coordination Centre as well as citizen reception halls in prosecutorial offices to provide quick and quality services to survivors.

 

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