Acknowledging the universal and urgent need to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and advance gender equality,
Recognizing that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) encompasses harmful acts directed at individuals based on their gender or gender identity, rooted in gender inequality, abuse of power, and entrenched social norms. Worldwide, one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence. In countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, North America, and Oceania, women and marginalized genders face escalating rates of GBV, with risk factors compounded by social, economic, and environmental crises,
Concerned about the prevalence of GBV across regions, with Africa recording the highest intimate partner violence of 45.6%, Latin America experiencing severe femicide rates, and other continents facing cyber violence, workplace harassment, traditional harmful practices e.g., child marriage and FGM, and other distinct GBV challenges from systemic inequities, conflict and displacement,
Noting that in Oceania, gender norms and geographic isolation limit access to essential services for survivors, with small island nations facing additional climate change impacts that increase GBV risk,
Reiterating the critical role of international frameworks such as CEDAW, the Maputo Protocol, and the Istanbul Convention in setting global standards for gender equality and GBV eradication,
Affirming the importance of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality, particularly Target 5.2, to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls globally,
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN, IN REAFFIRMING ITS COMMITMENT TO A WORLD WHERE GENDER EQUALITY IS ACHIEVED AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) IS ERADICATED, CALLS UPON ALL MEMBER COUNCILS TO ACT URGENTLY AND COLLECTIVELY TO END GBV AND MAKE GENDER EQUALITY A REALITY BY:
• Working with governments globally to create, strengthen, and enforce laws and policies for GBV prevention and response, ensuring survivor-centered, trauma-informed approaches aligned with international standards;
• Lobbying governments to allocate sustainable resources for GBV-related services, including crisis hotlines, shelters, legal support, and comprehensive healthcare for survivors, and establish gender-responsive budgeting and tracking;
• Facilitating rigorous GBV data collection and reporting across all regions, encouraging governments and NGOs to adopt standardized methodologies for tracking prevalence, trends, and outcomes of GBV interventions;
• Urging governments to mandate training for law enforcement, healthcare providers, judicial personnel, and community leaders worldwide to improve survivor support and accountability for perpetrators;
• Promoting initiatives globally that challenge harmful gender norms, engage men and boys as advocates, and foster respectful, non-violent masculinities to advance gender equality;
• Encouraging governments and institutions to work closely with women's rights organizations, feminist movements, and survivors in developing, implementing, and evaluating GBV laws, policies, and programs;
• Advocating for enhanced cooperation among international and regional bodies, promoting knowledge, exchange and the sharing of best practices to accelerate progress in GBV prevention and response worldwide.
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Source: International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) — 37th General Assembly, Marrakech, Morocco, June 23–28, 2025. Resolution No. 3.
