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DRC: Mass violence against women during prison escapes

We join FIDH and partners in sounding the alarm over the wave of sexual violence against women following mass prison escapes amid M23’s advancement into eastern DRC. The horrific mass rapes and deaths of hundreds of women at Goma prison …

Hague Principles on Sexual Violence Cited in UN Report on Sexual, Reproductive, and Gender-based Violence against Palestinians

A new report from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, More than a Human Can Bear, exposes Israel’s systematic use of sexual, reproductive, and gender-based violence against Palestinians, including genocidal acts through the deliberate …

Where is the Justice? Interview with Debanjana Choudhuri

As part of our “Where’s the Justice?” campaign marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, we spoke with Debanjana Choudhuri, Executive Director, Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR). In this interview, Debanjana discusses important progress made, …

Where is the Justice? Interview with Anna Nikoghosyan

As part of our “Where’s the Justice?” campaign marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, we spoke with Anna Nikoghosyan, Executive Coordinator, Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD-IC). In this interview, Anna discusses important progress made, …

Where is the Justice? Interview with Akila Radhakrishnan

As part of our “Where’s the Justice?” campaign marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, we spoke with Akila Radhakrishnan, Board Member of Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice and Strategic Legal Advisor on Gender Justice at the …

CSW69 Parallel Event | Innovative approaches in response to CRSV: Ukrainian and other modern experience

Since Russia’s initial aggression against Ukraine in 2014 and its full-scale invasion in 2022, conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) has significantly escalated, becoming a critical international concern. In connection with CSW69, this event brought together experts and survivors to share insights …

Join Us at CSW69

Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice is excited to take part in CSW69, where global advocates, policymakers, and legal experts will come together in New York for the annual meeting to push gender equality. Join us at these key events: 🔹 …

Crisis in Goma: Open Letter to the African Union on the Occasion of its 38th Summit

On the occasion of the 38th summit of the African Union, we join 30 Congolese, African and international organisations in submitting an open letter on the situation in the DRC to the heads of state and government attending the meeting …

Reproductive Violence in Gaza: A Gendered Atrocity Under International Law

Aya could not find formula milk for her malnourished newborn.[1] Battling infections and exhaustion, she travelled daily to overcrowded and under-resourced clinics that could not provide necessary treatment for her baby.[2] Sujoud, discharged mere days after a C-section, recovered in …

Consultancy: Online Collaboration Platform

Consultancy Opportunity: Online Collaboration Platform The Global Initiative Against Impunity (GIAI) Consortium is looking for a consultant to design and implement a secure, user-friendly online collaboration platform to enhance communication and coordination among consortium members. Budget: Up to €10,000 Start …

Crisis in Goma: Sexual Violence and Mass Displacement

Since the attack on Goma launched by M23 on January 23rd, 700,000+ people have been displaced. Schools are closed. Hospitals are overwhelmed. Our partners at La Ligue pour la Solidarité Congolaise report that the situation in Goma and North Kivu has …

Application for Arrest Warrants in the Situation of Afghanistan

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court asserts that violently imposing restrictive views on gender and sexuality can be construed as a crime against humanity. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀: 1️⃣ Powerful acknowledgement …

We are stepping away from X

As power shifts once again on the global stage, we are stepping away from X. We appreciate the opportunity we’ve had to share our work on gender justice and expand our reach, but after critically reflecting on the platforms we …

Open Letter to US Congress and Incoming President Regarding Sanctions on the ICC

January 6, 2025 – Today, Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice joined 75 human rights organizations, faith-based groups, legal associations, and academic institutions in an open letter to Congress and the incoming US Presidential administration decrying sanctions against the International Criminal …

Gender Justice at the 23rd Assembly of States Parties

After five days of debates, negotiations, and side events, the annual meeting of the International Criminal Court’s governing body concluded just before midnight on Friday, December 6. The 23rd ASP brought together states parties, civil society organisations and justice advocates …

ASP Side Event | Gender Persecution Principles

What does justice for gender persecution truly look like? Is it about ensuring survivors’ voices are heard? Proving intent behind crimes that target individuals based on their gender? Or breaking down the systemic barriers that prevent accountability?  These questions were …

ASP Side Event | Gender Justice and the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty

What would it take to create a Crimes Against Humanity treaty that truly addresses sexual and gender-based crimes? Co-sponsored by Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, the UK Government, the Global Justice Center, Washington University School of Law, Physicians for Human …

ASP Side Event | Using Technology to Improve Investigations of Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes

How can technology revolutionize the investigation of sexual and gender-based crimes (SGBC)? While frameworks like the ICC’s Policy on Gender-Based Crimes and the Murad Code have advanced investigative protocols, guidance on ethically integrating technology to mitigate risks such as digital …

Submission of Gender Persecution Principles Recommendations

Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice has submitted comprehensive recommendations to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for updating the Gender Persecution Principles. These recommendations, developed in partnership with leading practitioners and experts, aim to transform …

Exterior of the ICC. Credit @ ICC.

Statement on Allegations of Misconduct Against ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan

As civil society organizations committed to feminist leadership, intersectional justice, and accountability for gender-based international crimes through the International Criminal Court (ICC), Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) are deeply concerned about the …

Can the ICC “Call it What it is”? Addressing Israel’s Impunity for Sexual Violence in Palestine

Reports have uncovered alarming evidence of rampant sexual violence and torture of Palestinian prisoners by Israeli forces. In August, the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem released a comprehensive report with testimonies from 55 Palestinians, revealing widespread torture, sexual violence, and …

Exterior of the ICC. Credit @ ICC.

Presentation to the Assembly of States Parties’ Committee on Budget and Finance

Executive Director Alix Vuillemin recently presented to the Assembly of States Parties’ Committee on Budget and Finance at the ICC, addressing the urgent need for gender-sensitive institutional development. Despite years of effort, 30% of ICC staff still experience workplace harassment—a …

Photo of the exterior of the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

Statement on Concerns Over Judicial Deliberations in Al Hassan Trial Judgment

The recent trial judgment in the Al Hassan case by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has raised concerns regarding judicial deliberations and their implications for justice.    The fragmented decision by Trial Chamber X underscores the challenges of achieving unanimity, …

Panelists discussing in front of audience.

Reproductive Violence in International Criminal Law Conference

On 11 June 2024, the Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, together with Dr Rosemary Grey, the International Institute of Social Studies, the Legal Mobilization Platform, the Strategic Litigation Project, the Global Justice Center and the Sydney Centre for International Law …

Call for Proposals: “Global Initiative Against Impunity For International Crimes and Serious Human Rights Violations: Making Justice Work”

Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, on behalf of the “Global Initiative Against Impunity for International Crimes and Serious Human Rights Violations: Making Justice Work” Programme, is launching a Call for Proposals aiming to support local actors globally. The deadline for …

GREVIO Report Launch: “Sexual Violence and Stigmatisation of Victims”

The NGO Shadow report “Sexual Violence and Stigmatisation of Victims” examines the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence in Ukraine. The report identifies significant barriers within the Ukrainian criminal …

Making Justice Work : Civil Society Unites in the Global Fight Against Impunity

Impunity is the most significant obstacle to justice and reparation for victims and survivors of human rights violations and core international crimes. Often, only a small number of perpetrators are held accountable. When impunity is pervasive, it has profound consequences for societies, …

Joint Statement in Support of Progress toward a Crimes Against Humanity Treaty

On 27 March 2024, Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice is joining 300+ organisations and individuals to urge, in a joint statement, UN Member States to declare support for moving a gender-competent and survivor-centric treaty on crimes against humanity into negotiations.  The …

Civil Society Open Letter to Inform the New ICC OTP Policy on Environmental Crimes with a Gender Lens

In a groundbreaking move, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) launched a pioneering policy initiative in February 2024 dedicated to bolstering accountability for environmental crimes under the framework of the Rome Statute through the …

Gender and International Criminal Law Conference

Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, together with Legal Action Worldwide, Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, UN Women, the Australian Embassy in The Hague and the International Gender Champions Network, were very pleased to co-host the Gender and International Criminal Law conference on 16-17 January …

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