Localizing Response to GBV in Emergencies Discussion, learning and practical recommendations on empowering local actors to respond to GBV in emergencies, in line with commitments made at the WHS, under the Grand Bargain, and through Call to Action. Sept. 6, 1027 – London

Research reveals that local and women’s organizations are often excluded in emergency response efforts and funding.

SPEAKERS Nisreen Alzaraee, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (Syria Project) Dalia Amin, International Rescue Committee (Global/Roving) Jenny Becker, International Rescue Committee Margaret Chandiah, International Rescue Committee (South Sudan) Najma Mohamud, Mudug Peace and Human Development Organisation (Somalia) Teli Salih Mosa and Mihabad Hassan, Sewan (Iraq) Elizabeth Pender, USAID / U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Sonya Ruparel, Action Aid Sanj Srikanthan, IRC Acting Senior Vice President, Europe

RECOMMENDATIONS For UN Agencies and INGOs Prioritize partnerships with, and facilitate access to funding for, local and women’s organizations working to end GBV in their communities. Dedicate highly skilled GBV technical staff to the task of promoting and supporting partnerships with local and women’s organizations. Recognize the link between operational and technical needs in preparedness planning. Support to local organizations must take into account not only GBV technical know-how, but also how support sectors must adapt and the resources they will require. Promote equitable partnership models between international and local women’s organizations. Invest in sustained capacity and institutional strengthening for local and women’s organizations to strengthen operational and GBV technical emergency preparedness and response capabilities. For DONORS Create incentives and prioritize funding for interventions that demonstrate active decision-making by local partners. Commit to multi-year flexible funding to support core organizational costs, technical and operational capacity building of local and women’s organizations, to strengthen their leadership in ending GBV. Remove bureaucratic barriers to direct financing of local organizations, as well as sub-granting approval processes.

Thank you. www.gbvresponders.org Policy brief and resource package available: www.gbvresponders.org