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IC34 Side Event - Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Armed Conflicts and Other Situations of Violence in West Africa

23.10.2024

The EU Delegation to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva has the pleasure to invite you to a side-event on sexual and gender based violence in armed conflicts and other situations of violence in West Africa, organised under the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The event will take place on 28 October 2024 from 14:00 to 15:00 in person in the International Conference Centre Geneva, Room 3.

The purpose of the event is to examine the efforts to address conflict-related sexual violence in West Africa and the challenges of doing so. It will discuss how to better protect affected populations, enhance accountability and reporting mechanisms, foster collaboration in addressing incidents and ensure survivors receive non-discriminatory assistance.

The event will be co-hosted by the European Commission and ECOWAS. It will showcase the ongoing humanitarian dialogue between the two organizations and will bring in partners with expertise in addressing conflict-related sexual violence.

Please note that the event will be held in person and will be accessible only for pre-registered participants to the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

 

Agenda

14:00 – 14:06

CET (6’)

Welcome and opening

Video message from Dr. Sintiki Ugbe, Director of Gender and Child Development, Youth, Sports, Employment, Civil Society and Drug Control, ECOWAS and Ms. Andrea Koulaimah, Director Sub-Saharan Africa, LAC, South, East and South-East Asia and Pacific, DG ECHO

14:06-14:08

CET (2’)

Introduction of the topic and the speakers

Mr. Giuseppe Angelini, Head of Unit West and Central Africa, DG ECHO

14:08 – 14:24

CET (16’)

Session 1 - Challenges related to sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts and other situation of violence and the response to victims

Speakers:

  • Ms. Fatimah Nasir, Red Cross Nigeria  (8’)
  • Ms. Ivelina Natan, Desk officer for Niger and regional initiatives, DG ECHO (8’)

Moderation: Mr. Giuseppe Angelini, Head of Unit West and Central Africa, DG ECHO

14:24 – 14:40

CET (16’)

Session 2 – IHL/IHRL as a tool to address the issue of sexual and gender-based violence in armed conflicts and other situation of violence

Speakers:

  • Ms. Claudia Maritano, Legal Advisor, ICRC (8’)
  • Mr. Alozie Amaechi Godfrey, Programme Officer for humanitarian affairs, ECOWAS (8’)

Moderation: Mr. Giuseppe Angelini, Head of Unit West and Central Africa, DG ECHO

14:40– 14:55

CET (15’)

Q&A

Moderation: Mr. Giuseppe Angelini, Head of Unit West and Central Africa, DG ECHO

14:55 – 15:00

CET (5’)

Closing remarks

Mr. Giuseppe Angelini, Head of Unit West and Central Africa, DG ECHO

02:00 pm - 03:00 pm
International Conference Centre of Geneva (CICG), Room 3