16 Days of Activism: Confronting Gender-Based Violence in Conflict and Humanitarian Settings
16 Days of Activism: Confronting Gender-Based Violence in Conflict and Humanitarian Settings
Geneva, November 25, 2024 — On November 25, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) was invited to join the panel at the global launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), an annual campaign aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing action to eliminate violence against women and girls. This year’s event, hosted by the Permanent Mission of Austria and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, focused on tackling GBV in conflict and humanitarian settings, where the risks to women and girls are heightened and systemic.
Among the distinguished speakers at the event was UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, who addressed the grim reality of gender-based violence in conflict zones around the world. From Sudan to Ukraine, Afghanistan to Gaza, Turk highlighted the widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and political repression, underscoring that such violence is not only a human rights violation but a devastating tool of control. He stressed the importance of international law and the need for accountability, calling on the global community to do more to protect survivors and prevent further violence.
Kate Norton, Director of Operations at LAW, provided a critical perspective on how we can make real progress in addressing GBV, particularly in conflict and crisis settings. At LAW, we are deeply committed to a survivor-centered approach, which emphasizes the importance of listening to survivors, supporting their leadership, and ensuring they have the tools and platform to seek justice.
In her remarks, Norton outlined how LAW’s work in the field is grounded in the belief that empowering survivors can drive lasting change. She shared a powerful example where LAW filed a case before the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on behalf of 35 women who had survived sexual violence. At the time, CEDAW’s legal procedures required survivors’ identities to be shared, exposing them to further risk. After years of persistent advocacy, we celebrated a major victory when, in 2023, CEDAW updated its procedures, allowing survivors to file cases while keeping their identities confidential. This landmark case will now open the doors for survivors in many other contexts to access justice.
Norton also highlighted LAW’s ongoing work to address systemic challenges faced by survivors of GBV in conflict zones, including migrant workers in Lebanon under the Kafala system, and Rohingya women who have faced sexual violence in Myanmar. Despite the challenges, LAW continues to fight for justice, representing these survivors at national, regional and international courts such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
One of the key points Norton made was the urgent need for more resources to support women’s organizations and human rights defenders, especially those working on the front lines in conflict zones. Women’s organizations are often the backbone of the fight for justice, yet they remain severely underfunded and under-resourced. These organizations play an essential role in supporting survivors and holding perpetrators accountable.
LAW recognizes that addressing the broader systemic issues that perpetuate violence against women is crucial, especially the underlying factors of gender inequality, patriarchy, and power imbalances. Tackling gender-based violence requires confronting these root causes, which include gender, racial, and economic inequalities, and dismantling the power structures that enable such violence to persist.
Throughout the event, there were also powerful contributions from other speakers, including Ambassador Désirée Schweitzer, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations in Geneva, who moderated the panel. Ms. Rangita de Silva de Alwis, Member of the CEDAW Committee, shared her insights on the role of international human rights mechanisms in addressing GBV in conflict and humanitarian settings. Ms. Li Fung, Representative of OHCHR in Sudan, spoke about the dire situation in Sudan, where GBV has escalated amid ongoing conflict. Finally, Maria Carolina Aissa de Figueredo of the International Committee of the Red Cross addressed the harmful effects of stigma on survivors.
As state parties including Ukraine, Ethiopia, the USA, Thailand, Sudan, and China reaffirmed their commitment to ending gender-based violence, it became evident that the international community must enhance collaboration and continue to support survivor-centered, trauma-informed approaches to justice.
The 16 Days of Activism serve as a powerful reminder that the work to end gender-based violence extends beyond a designated period; it is a year-round commitment. LAW remains unwavering in our dedication to supporting survivors, amplifying their voices, and collaborating with our partners to create a world where women and girls can live free from violence and fear, while ensuring justice and accountability for the crimes committed against them.
As the event drew to a close, it was evident that combating gender-based violence requires sustained, collective action. This is a fight for justice, for survivors, and for a future in which all women and girls are able to live with dignity, security, and access to accountability. At LAW, we are committed to standing by survivors, supporting them at every step of their journey toward justice and holding perpetrators accountable.
