2020 Annual Partners Meeting
Virtual Event | June 17 – 19, 2020
Key Documents
The 2020 Annual Partners Meeting of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (Call to Action) was held virtually from 17–19 June 2020, hosted by the Government of Canada as the global Lead. All sessions were conducted online, with recordings and interpretation made available to participants.
The meeting brought together partners to exchange updates, discuss priorities, and prepare for the next phase of the Call to Action, including the development of the 2021–2025 Road Map.
Focus Areas
Advocacy and COVID-19 Response
Early sessions focused on collective advocacy, including how to:
Prioritise GBV within the global COVID-19 response
Strengthen advocacy linked to the upcoming 2021–2025 Road Map
These discussions aimed to reinforce the importance of GBV as a critical component of humanitarian action during the pandemic.
Resource Mobilisation
Participants reviewed findings and recommendations from recent research and discussed:
How to mobilise resources for GBV programming
Ways to support implementation of the upcoming Road Map
This session helped frame ongoing discussions around funding needs and coordination across partners.
Accountability and Implementation
Sessions on the GBV Accountability Framework and the Field Implementation Strategy provided:
A refresher on accountability tools
Guidance on how commitments relate to implementation
Discussion of options for individual and collective engagement
These sessions supported partners in linking commitments to practical action in the field.
Strategising by Road Map Outcomes
A core part of the meeting focused on strategising across the outcomes of the 2021–2025 Road Map, including:
Policy frameworks and capacity
Coordination
Data, assessment and analysis
Funding
Specialised programmes and services
GBV risk mitigation
Partners reviewed key findings from earlier online discussions and worked together to identify priorities and opportunities for collaboration across these areas.
Working Group Coordination
Working Group co-chairs provided updates on progress under their respective work plans and:
Shared deliverables achieved through working group activities
Identified areas for collaboration across stakeholder groups
This helped strengthen coordination between NGOs, international organisations, and states and donors.
Additional Engagement
The meeting was complemented by preparatory activities, including:
Online forum discussions ahead of the meeting
Sessions on GBV tools and guidance (e.g. GBV Gap Analysis 2.0 and the GBV Accountability Framework)
Opportunities for networking and knowledge-sharing among partners
These activities supported continued engagement despite the virtual format.
Summary
The 2020 Annual Partners Meeting provided a structured platform for partners to engage on advocacy, funding, accountability, and coordination. It also played a key role in preparing the partnership for the development and implementation of the 2021–2025 Road Map, while maintaining collaboration in a fully virtual setting.