UN Women at SVRI 2024

As one of the world’s largest events focused on ending violence against women (VAW) and children (VAC), the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum offers a critical platform for UN Women to strengthen coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders, including researchers and funders working on ending violence against women and girls (VAWG). As we approach the 30^th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UN Women is committed to fostering joint efforts and taking urgent action to end VAW, particularly in the face of increasing challenges such as the backlash against women’s rights, armed conflict, climate change, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

At SVRI, UN Women will focus on amplifying advocacy priorities ahead of the Beijing +30 review, particularly around accountability, ending impunity, and reinforcing the protection of the rights of women and girls. Central to these efforts will be a strong push for increased investment in measures to end violence, with a special emphasis on funding women’s rights organizations and driving transformative change through evidence-based policy and action. UN Women’s participation will underscore its leadership in mobilizing global commitment to ending VAWG and advancing gender equality.

The SVRI Forum will culminate in a powerful Call to Action, with SVRI and UN Women inviting all partners to align around shared advocacy priorities as part of the global journey towards Beijing +30.

Join UN Women and partners at SVRI 

UN Women and its partners will present research, lead dynamic discussions, and facilitate workshops across key thematic areas at the SVRI Forum 2024. These sessions are exclusively available to registered SVRI Forum participants.

21^ST OCTOBER

• From Data to Action: Addressing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
  9:00 am – 12:00 pm / Venue: Hall 8.2  

22^ND OCTOBER

• Working with Governments to Keep Children Safe from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Schools. 
  7:00 am – 9:00 / Venue: Hall 8.2
• Together for Prevention Cross-Regional Learning Exchange on National Action Plans to end Violence against Women and Girls.
  1:00 pm - 2:30 pm / Venue: Hall 7

• Tracking national efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women: UN Women’s Global Database on Violence against Women
  1:00 pm – 2:00 pm / Venue: Ground Floor 

23^RD OCTOBER

• Learning from Practice: Developing region-wide guidance to ensure coordinated and integrated social work services to prevent and respond to VAW-VAC
  5:00 pm - 6:30 pm / Venue: Nerina/Protea  

24^TH OCTOBER

• HeForShe in South Africa: Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Enhancing AIDS Resilience through Transforming Harmful Norms and Young Women Empowerment.
  7:00 am – 9:00 am / Venue: Hall 8.2

• Learning from Practice: Delivering Essential Services for Women and Girl Survivors of Violence in East and Southern Africa and Asia
  1:00 pm – 2:00 pm / Venue: Ground Floor
• What Can Multilateral Development Banks Do to Address Gender-based Violence?
  19:00 -21:00 / Venue Hall 7

25^TH OCTOBER

• Bridging the Gap: Advancing Multi-Sectoral Responses to GBV Through Translating Policies into Effective Practices in South Africa. 
  8:30am – 11:30am, Venue: Watsonia 

• Generation Equality, Action Coalition on GBV: In-person closed meeting for members to strengthen networking and facilitate engagement and strategizing for the next two years, including the lead up to Beijing +30.
  2pm - 5pm, Venue: Watsonia  

27-28^TH OCTOBER 

• ACT UN Trust Fund & UN Women civil society convening: UNTF together with UN Women is coordinating a civil society convening under the ACT to end violence against women (Advocacy, Coalition Building and Transformative Feminist Action) programme to bring together ACT partners at regional, global level together with other CSOs /grantees in a space to engage, exchange and strategize.

UN Women key resources on ending violence against women and girls

From 2022 to 2024, UN Women has produced a wide range of knowledge products to advance efforts to end violence against women and girls. Covering crucial themes like data collection, prevention, response, and partnerships, these resources address key gaps and provide actionable guidance and tools for stakeholders. Click this link for direct access to these essential resources.

The UN at SVRI 2024

The SVRI Forum 2024 will also offer a vital platform for the UN system to enhance collaboration and advance global efforts to end violence against women and girls. This year’s sessions will tackle pressing issues, from technology-facilitated gender-based violence to the intersection of climate change and gender inequality. The UN-hosted events at the forum will provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, evidence-based solutions, and strategies for collective action. To explore the full list of UN-hosted workshops and discussions, please review the schedule here.