Commission on the Status of Women 2026
New York, USA | March 12, 2026
The Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (Call to Action), led by Norway, convened a high-level side event during the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). The event focused on strengthening partnerships to improve protection and services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), with a particular emphasis on experiences from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Context and Purpose
The event took place in a context of:
Widespread and persistent GBV, including conflict-related sexual violence
Increasing humanitarian needs and constrained funding
Ongoing humanitarian reform and system-wide changes
Participants examined how these challenges affect access to essential services, including health care, psychosocial support, protection, and justice for survivors.
Key Focus Areas
Partnerships for Survivor-Centred Response
The discussion focused on how coordinated partnerships can strengthen national systems and improve service delivery for survivors:
Collaboration between governments, humanitarian actors, and security actors
Integration of services such as case management, psychosocial support, and sexual and reproductive health
Linking evidence, policy, and operational response
Experiences from the DRC were used to illustrate how coordinated approaches can translate commitments into practical results.
Role of Women-Led Organisations
A central theme was the role of women-led organisations (WLOs):
WLOs provide trusted, frontline services to survivors
They require predictable, flexible, and multi-year funding
Safer operating environments are essential to sustain their work
The event highlighted the importance of strengthening their leadership and participation in GBV response.
Strengthening Systems and Access to Services
Discussions emphasised the need to:
Improve access to health, protection, and justice services
Strengthen coordinated, system-wide responses
Ensure services remain available in complex and insecure environments
The role of national ownership and government-led approaches was also highlighted.
Data, Evidence, and Accountability
Participants explored how:
Data and evidence can inform more effective GBV responses
Safe and responsible data use can improve coordination and service delivery
Accountability mechanisms can support better outcomes for survivors
Summary
The CSW70 side event provided a platform to explore how partnerships and coordinated approaches can strengthen GBV prevention and response in humanitarian and conflict settings. Drawing on experiences from the DRC, the discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration, sustained funding, and women-led leadership in delivering effective, survivor-centred support.