2022 Annual Partners Meeting
Copenhagen, Denmark | June 15 – 16, 2022
The 2022 Annual Partners Meeting of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (Call to Action) was held in Copenhagen with both in-person and virtual participation. The meeting brought together partners from states and donors, international organisations, NGOs, and local actors to review progress under the 2021–2025 Road Map, strengthen collective action, and advance localisation efforts.
Key Themes and Discussions
Taking Stock of Progress
Partners reviewed progress based on 2021 self-reports and discussions across working groups:
Progress was noted in policy development, integration of GBV into systems and tools, and support to local organisations
Advances were also reported in funding prioritisation, GBV service delivery, and risk mitigation efforts
However, reporting levels remained low, with 52% of partners submitting reports, limiting a full overview of progress and challenges.
Key Challenges Identified
Across discussions, several persistent challenges were highlighted:
Insufficient funding and human resources for GBV programming
Limited ability to track GBV funding across the humanitarian system
Barriers to accessing services due to stigma, insecurity, and weak systems
Ongoing difficulties in translating policy commitments into operational action
Participants also noted increased needs driven by COVID-19, climate change, and ongoing crises, placing additional strain on already limited resources.
Strengthening Localisation and Support to WLOs
A central focus of the meeting was advancing localisation, particularly the role of women-led organisations (WLOs):
Participants emphasised the need to increase access to funding and decision-making spaces for local actors
Discussions highlighted the importance of equitable partnerships, long-term collaboration, and trust-building
Flexible, multi-year funding and simplified processes were identified as key enablers
A dedicated hybrid segment, including parallel events in Nairobi and Beirut, explored practical approaches to strengthening local leadership in GBV response.
From Policy to Action
A recurring theme was the gap between commitments and implementation:
While progress has been made in developing policies and tools, these are not consistently translated into action in field operations
Participants highlighted the need to simplify approaches, share good practices, and strengthen accountability mechanisms
Greater alignment between global commitments and country-level implementation was identified as a priority
Collective Action and Partnership Strengthening
Discussions reinforced the importance of the Call to Action as a multi-stakeholder platform:
The partnership’s value lies in its ability to bring together diverse actors and amplify a shared voice
Participants called for stronger cross-stakeholder collaboration, including task teams on key issues such as advocacy and funding
Addressing power dynamics and ensuring inclusive participation across stakeholder groups were identified as critical
Key Outcomes and Next Steps
Key priorities emerging from the meeting included:
Strengthening localisation efforts, including funding and leadership of women-led organisations
Improving accountability and reporting, including simplifying reporting processes
Enhancing collective advocacy and coordination across stakeholders
Increasing efforts to translate commitments into concrete action at country level
Continuing work on GBV funding, tracking, and resource mobilisation
These discussions will inform ongoing implementation of the Road Map and future partnership activities.
Summary
The 2022 Annual Partners Meeting reinforced the importance of localisation, accountability, and collective action in addressing GBV in emergencies. While progress has been made, significant challenges remain, particularly in funding, implementation, and inclusion of local actors. The meeting highlighted the need for continued collaboration and practical action to ensure that commitments lead to measurable improvements in humanitarian response.