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

This 20th anniversary for the Consortium comes at a critical moment.  

• Nearly 1 in 3 women – estimated 840 million globally – have experienced partner or sexual violence during their lifetime, a figure that has barely changed since 20001.  

• 676 million women now live within 50km of deadly conflict, the highest level in three decades.  

• Conflict-related sexual violence has risen by 87% in just two years2.   

• Everyday 140 women and girls are killed by an intimate partner or other members of their family3. 

• Despite record military spending, only 0.4% of aid reaches women’s organisations in conflict settings, many of whom are at risk of closure4.  

Evidence also shows that Women-led Organizations (WLOs) are among the hardest hit by funding cuts and restrictive policies.  Women’s organisations report that programmes and services in GBV response were the highest hit, at 67%5.  

In advance of the anniversary event, Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, highlighted Ireland’s recommitment to principled development cooperation at a time when other governments are withdrawing and said,  

“At a time when many governments are stepping back, Ireland is stepping forward. Gender equality and tackling gender-based violence remain core priorities of our international development policy. We know that development cooperation works—it is not only the right thing to do, but also the sensible thing to do.” 

“Since its establishment in 2005, the ICGBV has delivered a unique alliance of Irish Aid, the Defence Forces and Ireland’s leading humanitarian and development actors and so has strengthened programme quality, built shared learning, and advocated for global action to prevent and respond to GBV” continued Minister Richmond.  

Also speaking in advance of the anniversary event, Michael Gaffey, Director General, Development Cooperation and Africa Division, Irish Aid said,  

“Ireland’s global leadership shows that things can change—and change for the better. We will continue to use our voice to advocate for women and girls everywhere. There is reason for hope, but we must carry that strength together.” 

The event will emphasise that Ireland’s sustained policy, diplomatic and financial leadership has been central to the Consortium’s growth and global impact. Coordinated donor action, speakers noted, can drive systemic change, strengthening evidence, scaling what works, and supporting grassroots women-led, or survivor-led, organisations whose leadership is essential to prevention, protection and justice. 

A panel discussion will take place that the anniversary event which will be moderated by Aine Lawlor, Irish radio and television broadcaster and the panellists will include.  

• Michael Gaffey, Director General, Development Cooperation and Africa Division, Irish Aid   

• Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Irish academic lawyer specialising in human rights law, Queens University Belfast and University of Minnesota. 

• Alice Kachere, GBV Community and Rural Women’s Advocate, Malawi. 

• Susan Mani, Programme Coordinator, Rainbo Initiative, Sierra Leone. 

Underscoring the Consortium’s forward-looking vision, Siobhán Walsh, Chair of the ICGBV, said  

“Despite the immense strain on the humanitarian sector, women and girls must not be left to bear the consequences of reduced resources. Violence against women does not pause during crises or funding shortages, on the contrary, it often escalates when support systems collapse.”  

“The work of the past two decades shows both how far we have come—and how far we still must go. Progress has been hard-won. Hope is not passive; it is an active choice to keep building on these gains and to continue acting together for a safer, more equal and more just world,” continued Siobhan Walsh.  

The anniversary falls during the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the landmark foundation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. Ireland recently launched its new National Action Plan on WPS, reinforcing the country’s global leadership on gender equality, peacebuilding and protection. 

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Notes to the Editor: 

The Irish Consortium of Gender Based Violence (ICGBV) is an Irish based alliance of International human rights, humanitarian and development organisations, including International NGO’s, Irish Aid and The Irish Defence Forces. Established in 2005 as a response to reports of ongoing and systematic sexual violence against women and girls in the Darfur Region of Sudan, we work together to increase knowledge and understanding of violence against women and girls, and to ensure high quality programming and policy responses, in both Humanitarian and Development settings. We also build leadership to support our shared vision of a world free from gender-based violence. History | ICGBV