“ Girls and women often live in fear – at home, at school, in the community – in conflict and in times of peace. This

is unacceptable. This is injustice. Violence is never okay. Men and boys also experience violence – especially in conflict

settings and outside the home – sometimes by women, most often, by other men. The causes and dynamics of

violence against boys and men by girls and women are different than the causes and dynamics of violence against

girls and women by boys and men. Violence against women and girls is systemic. It happens across the world.

Societies are shaped by patriarchal norms that give men more power than women.”

From: The Lancet Series on Violence against women and girls, 21 November 2014

Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1

2. OPENING SPEECH .......................................................................................................... 1

3. PRESENTATION ............................................................................................................. 1

4. WORKSHOPS................................................................................................................... 1

5. PERFORMANCE .............................................................................................................. 1

This expert meeting on the topic of Gender Based Violence formed the last of 4 expert meetings

organised by Share-Net in 2014. Share-Net members Rutgers WPF, Women on Web, PSI Europe,

Hivos and Oxfam Novib co-organised the meeting. Experts from abroad and from the

Netherlands and an audience of individual experts, people from Dutch non-profit organizations,

universities, research institutes and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gathered in the IDAzaal in The

Hague. About 65 people were present.

The meeting coincided with the 16 days against violence campaign and the launch of the Lancet

series on GBV. The expert meeting aimed to discuss the challenges that are still there despite the

fact that a lot of momentum is given current days to reduce GBV. The topic was highlighted from

different angles, such as the crucial role of health services, engaging men, GBV in conflict areas

and accountability towards GBV.

The expert meeting started with an opening speech by Margriet van der Linden. She used an

adapted part of the statement she gave at the United Nations General Assembly October 13th,

2014. In her speech she stated amongst others: “Governments and the international community

need to take serious and sustained action to publicly condemning this epidemic violation of

human rights.” According to Margriet van der Linden a beginning can be made by improving the

position of women together and educate boys. Sexual violence is just as much a boy’s and men’s

problem. One has to teach boys and men that their masculinity and their position is not at stake

if they treat women and girls with respect.

To see the entire speech of Margriet, please look here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7mMAONGLqM

If you would like to read her speech (in Dutch), please look here:

http://www.nederlandsevrouwenraad.nl/docs/VNSPEECHEINDVERSIE.pdf

On November 21st the Lancet series on Violence Against Women and Girls was launched at the

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Summary of this series:

Every day, millions of women and girls worldwide experience violence. This abuse takes many

forms, including intimate physical and sexual partner violence, female genital mutilation, child

and forced marriage, sex trafficking, and rape. The Lancet Series on Violence against women and

girls shows that such abuse is preventable. Five papers cover the evidence base for interventions,

discuss the vital role of the health sector in care and prevention, show the need for men and

women to be involved in effective programmes, provide practical lessons from experience in

countries, and present a call for action with five key recommendations and indicators to track

progress.”

All articles of this series can be accessed online through this link:

http://www.thelancet.com/series/violence-against-women-and-girls.

A presentation was held during the launch by Lori Michau on the evidence and lessons from

practice around the topic of prevention of violence against women and girls. This presentation

was broadcasted during the expert meeting through a live stream, which can still be seen at:

https://panopto.lshtm.ac.uk/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=5019a7b8-7a71-4f6d-9f5d-

7cc98122c72c. Also, all the other presentations held that day can be accessed via this link.

In her presentation and paper Lori

Michau describes how to program in

order to prevent violence against

women and girls, and emphasises the

importance of systematic, sustained

programming across the social ecology

(ie, the delicate equilibrium of

interacting social, institutional, cultural,

and political contexts of people's lives)

to transform gender-power inequalities.

Effective prevention policy and

programming is founded on five core

principles: first, analysis and actions to

prevent violence across the social

ecology (individual, interpersonal, community, and societal); second, intervention designs based

on an intersectional gender-power analysis; third, theory-informed models developed on the

basis of evidence; fourth, sustained investment in multisector interventions; and finally,

aspirational programming that promotes personal and collective thought, and enables activism

on women's and girls' rights to violence-free lives. Prevention programming of the future will

depend on all of us having a vision of, and a commitment to, gender equality to make violence-

free lives for women and girls a reality.

After the presentation of Lori Michau, Colin Dixon lays out the ‘call to action on violence against

women’. A booklet has been made based on one of the papers in the series written by Claudia

Garcia Moreno et al. “Addressing violence against women: a call to action”. This booklet shows a

hands-on approach on how to address healthy women’s lives free from violence.

Actions are structured around 5 key entry points:

1. Show leadership: recognise violence

against women and against girls as

human rights violations, and a barrier

to health and development. Speak out

against violence and allocate needed

resources to prevent and respond to

violence.

2. Create equality: develop and enforce

national level laws, implement policies

and strengthen capacities of

institutions to address violence against

women and promote equality between

women and men.

3. Change norms: invest in violence prevention programming, to promote the

empowerment of women, gender equitable social norms, non-violent behaviours, and

effective non-stigmatising responses for violence survivors.

4. Challenge sectors: strengthen the role of the sectors (health, security, education, justice,

etc.) by integrating training on violence against women into curricula, allocating budgets,

creating policies and implementing systems to identify and support survivors, as part of a

co-ordinated multi-sectoral approach.

5. Invest in research and programming: support research and programming to learn how to

best prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, inform policies and

monitor progress.

If you would like to receive a hard-copy of this booklet, please contact the Share-Net secretariat:

info@share-net.nl.

Since 2011; Daniela Rosche is leading Oxfam Novib’s and Oxfam International’s policy and

advocacy work on issues such as VAW which focuses on accountability for the elimination of VAW

and the acceleration of implementation on the ground. Her dedication to the promotion of human

rights, women’s rights and gender equality follows from her personal experience of growing up

in East Germany and witnessing its transformation since 1989. She has studied Germany and the

US and holds a Master’s Degree in American Studies, Political Science and Journalism.

Worldwide more than one billion women

and girls will experience violence at least

once in their life. While over the past twenty

years important progress has been booked

by governments to adopt standards and

norms to eliminate Violence against women

in all its forms, the delivery of these norms

is lacking behind. This is illustrated by the

scale of the problem affecting on average

one in three women. In many developing

regions for example South East Asia every

other woman (one in two) experiences

VAW. (WHO 2013, Worldbank 2014) The lack of technical capacity, resources, institutional

mechanisms, coordination, collaboration, responsibility and political will was highlighted by the

UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women in her 2013 report to the Human Rights

Council on how states comply with the these norms and standards. The Rapporteur concluded

that ‘violence is endemic and the lack of accountability for violations experienced by women is the

rule, rather than the exception’ (UN SR VAW, HRC 23 Report 2013). Marking the 20st Anniversary

of the Beijing Platform for Action in 2015, the expert meeting provides a key opportunity to discuss

accountability for the elimination of violence and exchanging on approaches and theories of

change on accountability.

What does accountability mean in the context of eliminating VAW? Accountability for the

elimination of VAW is both a process as well as an outcome. In terms of process, accountability

related to, enforcement and follow-up, both in terms of funding as well as institutionally. Progress

and achievements in implementing existing measures to eliminate VAW should be measured-

measuring is a way of demonstrating accountability. The group concluded that there is a lack of

ownership and political will to implement policies and laws aimed at eliminating VAW. The

elimination of VAW is a lower priority and actions, where they do occur, remain rhetoric. Funding

for women’s rights and proper implementation next to enforcement and follow-up are important

accountability instruments.

The working group discussed whether there are accountability mechanisms in place? An

important question was who is accountable and for what? Based on the principle of due diligence,

governments are primary duty bearer when it comes to preventing VAW and protecting women

from violence including responding to survivors of VAW.

Some of the human rights related mechanisms include CEDAW reporting and the Universal

Periodic Review (even if CEDAW does not specify specific obligations concerning the elimination

of VAW in general. The discussion was inclusive as to whether these mechanisms work. A

question was raised about adequate resources to eliminate VAW.

What are we in our work doing to strengthen accountability? What does accountability mean for

the way donors and governments approach elimination of VAW? Members of the working group

engage in a number of activities to hold duty bearers accountable. An important element in the

development context is rights education, providing knowledge about rights and obligations. The

way in which we demand accountability can be context specific. For example, governance

structures facilitate how civil society can hold decision makers accountable for the elimination of

VAW. Spaces to engage with decision makers are limited in some contexts. Finally, there was

agreement that demanding accountability is best done together.

Biomedical Scientist, has been with PSI/Z since 2008 holding a variety of technical and program

leadership positions where he was tasked with planning and launching new programs, having

oversight of operations research activities implemented in partnership with external research

agencies, and managing integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

PSI/Zimbabwe, with the assistance of the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID),

is running a program targeting gender based violence and is offering solutions to a still neglected

issue of the developing world. The session was spent exploring the specifics reality of PSI’s

Zimbabwe program, in addition to discussing overarching issues surrounding women sexual

health and availability of services when one encounters sexual violence. A lot of questions and

discussion was generated as result.

In Zimbabwe, 27% of women in Zimbabwe have experienced Sexual Violence and very few of

them seek help. PSI and its partners are

attempting to change this figure. PSI and its

partners are currently running 15 sites

offering specific GBV counseling. This includes

psychological and medical services

(counseling, pregnancy tests, emergency

contraceptives, STI & HIV treatment, etc.),

referral for social or legal services and a toll

free hotline to answer any questions one may

have. Alongside these services, PSI and its

partners ran an intense behavior change

communication campaign around social

norms and available services. It included in depth discussion on radio shows and interactive calls.

As a result of this ongoing program, 1684 clients have received services to date. PSI’s toll free line

receives more than 2000 calls per month. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Heath of

Zimbabwe, PSI and its partners will continue to expand the current portfolio of services offered

and will try to extend its reach to be available to as many people as possible. So far the results

speak for themselves, but so much more remain to be done.

Independent writer and consultant based in the UK. She has been involved in feminism and

development for more than 20 years and has held senior editorial and communications posts in

the non-profit sector.

Strong factors associated with men’s use of violence against women, children and other men are

the internationalization of societal norms that support male dominance. Changing social norms

and the power imbalances that support men’s use of violence need to be integrated in

interventions. Working with boys and men includes attention to the way boys and men were

brought up, and their own experience of witnessing or being victims of violence in their childhood

in their homes and other settings.

It is important to engage men as caring

partners and fathers because it offers a

unique way to stop violence and

promote gender equality. Addressing

men’s own experiences with violence

(during childhood) is important to break

the circle of intergenerational

transmission of violence. It is about re-

building relationships, therefore both

partners need to be involved.

Addressing patriarchal and societal

norms relates to the root causes of

violence. Also, gender transformative

ways of working with men (and women) offer potential for behaviour change.

During the working group session the following action points where formulated:

1. Make the community aware of the current situation where people (mainly women) cannot

walk safely in the streets at night. This is NOT normal and this unsafety is caused by men.

2. Formulate the issues of violence against women in a more personal way, coming from a

personal point of view, makes that people are motivated to (joint) action.

3. Make sure that powerful (male) leaders speak against violence by men.

4. Collect different experiences on how to involve men in stopping violence by men.

5. Re-frame the term masculinity, together with and by men, without violence and with

respect for women (‘s rights).

6. Change gender terminology into ‘male’ language and encourage to make a move from

traditional to modern. Women have accomplished a lot, not it is up to you, men!

Make sure a comprehensive approach is used focused on the individual, culture, structure and

politics.

Founder and Director of Women Empowerment Organization Erbil – Iraq. Suzan is also the Iraq

Advisor for the Global Fund for Women, Co-chair of the Kurdistan Business Women Association,

and Deputy Chair of the national SBDC Network. Amongst others, Suzan`s interest and

experience lies with organization development, capacity building, democratic dialogue &

peacebuilding and activities that strengthen disadvantaged groups, in particular women from

different life perspectives.

As many studies show, in conflict and post conflict

contexts, women are more exposed to the political,

economic and social consequences of war and violence

conflict, including their use as a weapon of war, with

the aim of inflicting harm, shame, and moral damage

to the opposing side. Gender-based discrimination and

violence that are already manifest in a country become

exacerbated in times of armed conflict. This is

particularly true in the case of Iraq and Syria; societies

which already had problems of sexism, adding to this

armed men controlling the streets, it creates a new dimension of risk to women and girls.

The group discussed the issue of violence against women in Iraq (and to a lesser extent in

Syria).We did not look at the current situation, but rather we put it in its historical context where

the larger socio-political and economic conditions, regional and global politics have to be taken

into consideration in any analysis of women’s situation in Iraq and elsewhere.

The presenters suggest that we need to look at the situation of women and the violence

committed against them (VaW) by dividing the context into two: VaW before and after the

appearance of ISIS. VaW before the appearance of ISIS: Like many communities and societies,

women in Iraq suffer from the “well-know” forms of violence such as early marriage, forced

marriage, social and economic violence, domestic violence, legal discrimination, institutionalised

violence (such as forbidden promotion despite having the same or batter qualifications than their

male counterparts). Each and every form of violence needs to be discussed thoroughly. However,

these are the forms that could be seen in ‘non-war’ situations in many neighbouring countries.

One should also emphasise the fact that the recent history of Iraq was a history of war and

conflict. In the 1990s, the international sanctions ‘destroyed’ the fabric of the Iraqi society.

Corruption become widespread and violence became the main tool of conflict resolution.

Patriarchy, a framework within which women in many countries live, is actually operating here

within a harsh context of vulnerability and helplessness.

VaW after the appearance of ISIS: here the situation became more grave and complex. Iraqis

witnessed the intensifications of kidnapping of women, especially those coming from OTHER

religious or ethnic background than that advocated by ISIS, enslaving of OTHER women, rape and

gang rape, buying and selling women. In short, a new category of violence committed against

OTHER women emerged, which requires special attention and care from the Iraqi government,

UN agencies and local NGOs. These women were (and are) threatened to be killed by their family

members without having any protection by any formal agency. Other groups of women especially

those who are internally displaced live continually under the threat of being raped by official and

non-official men living in the same refugee camps. Many women commit suicide after being

raped.

The group emphasises the importance of some recommendations such as training and

awareness raising, lobbying and capacity building, new ideas and curricula in the education

sector, etc. But also brought to the fore the importance of taking into consideration the context

within which Iraqi women are living. Problems of Iraqi women have not begun with the

establishment of ISIS and will not finish by the demolition of ISIS. We need to update ourselves of

the old and new groups of women suffering from different forms of violence thus they have

different needs and requirements. It is the appeal of the groups that western donors and

international NGOs should pay attention to these facts.

Kaouthar Darmoni (PhD) is Assistant Professor in Gender & Media, department of ‘Media Studies’

at the University of Amsterdam (UvA). She is the founder and director of ‘Kaouthar Feminine

Capital & Goddess Belly Dance’ in Amsterdam where she teaches women empowerment and

Goddess Belly Dance with passion and dedication.

Kaouthar Darmoni states on her website that her vision is to: “

support and accelerate the Rise of Feminine Awareness. I want to

promote women empowerment via The Goddess Belly Dance &

Feminine Capital. For this I use as tool, the oldest women’s ritual in

the world (approximately 4.000 years old, Mesopotamia); called

‘Raqsat al Wilada’ (Dance of Birth) or ‘Raqsat al Ilaha’ (Dance of the

Goddess), known in the West as…Belly dance! Belly dance is a

“Western”-coined name for this ancient dance originally called ‘Middel

Eastern dance’ or Arabic dance. The term “belly dance” is a translation

of the French “danse du ventre” which was first applied to the dance

by the first western travellers coming from puritain Victorian Europe.”

What is Feminine Capital? Isn’t it about time women participate

actively in co-leading the planet? Isn’t it about time women step

proudly in the arena of power, not as duplicates of men, but as playful warriors who wish to

participate in innovating and changing the world?

Feminine Capital is a combination of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual awareness. This

concept is gaining finally its lettres de noblesse and acknowledged by many scientific scholars as

the missing tool for… women’s emancipation and feminism! If you think that you have to develop

erotic-bimbo-porn practices to emancipate and get promoted in your career, I am afraid I will have

to disappoint you.

Feminine Capital is a powerful concept that you develop to empower yourself (absolutely not

meant to manipulate the others). When understood and used in the right (strategic) way, Feminine

Capital, can definitely enhance your career and give your life a boost!

‘My first ”feminist’ experience was when I was about 7 years old. I was very often told to not do

this or that while the boys could do all they wanted; and when I questioned the reason the answer

was ‘because you are a girl’. I found it so unfair. I felt so helpless. I decided then that I will do

everything in my power to do whatever I want as a girl. The sky is the limit.

When I left Tunisia and went to Europe, I realized that being a girl is as problematic, but it was

wrapped in a nice package. At the end, whether in Arabia, Europa, Asia or Africa it’s all about an

abusive global patriarchal system towards girls; and boys. Changing that system from inside was

my main motivation to mix my two passions: gender studies and goddess dance. The mission:

girls co-lead the world, together with boys; to balance feminine and masculine capital.’

If you would like to see more of the work of Kaouthar Darmoni, please look here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCNmqLFpoV0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg_ZATXlclk

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