Call to Action Lead

In 2023, Germany took on leadership of the Call to Action, driving collective action, accountability, and implementation of the roadmap through multi-stakeholder pledges and annual reporting. A major focus was on increasing funding for GBV, with Germany hosting an IASC Principals Roundtable on GBV financing.

In January 2021, Denmark took on leadership of the global partnership Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies. A key priority was to strengthen partnerships with communities and women’s civil society organisations in humanitarian action. Denmark demonstrated leadership by promoting stronger partnerships with communities, local women-led organisations, women, and girls, and by supporting their safe and meaningful engagement and participation in humanitarian decision-making.

In 2019, Canada took over the leadership of the Call to Action from the EU, focusing on enhancing accountability, advocating for change through joint statements, increasing funding for GBV (committing $33M at the Oslo Conference), and engaging local organizations to implement the initiative's roadmap.

The European Union led the Call to Action from June 2017 to December 2018, focusing on advocacy, bringing the initiative to the field with pilots in Nigeria and DRC, and strengthening global standards for GBV prevention and response in humanitarian crises.

Sweden led the Call to Action from 2016 to 2017. Sweden was instrumental in initiating the Call to Action with the United Kingdom, bringing high-level attention to GBV in emergencies. Sweden consistently used the platform to push for concrete action, focusing on prevention, survivor services, and combating harmful norms.

In 2014, the United States assumed leadership of the Call to Action, following its 2013 launch by the United Kingdom and Sweden, guiding the development of a five-year Road Map to transform GBV response in humanitarian crises.