UN Coalition Marks Five Years of Global Push to End Violence Against Women and Girls

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed delivered a stark message at the gathering, urging governments to confront the growing threats facing women and girls.

World leaders, diplomats and civil society organizations gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 12 March 2026 to mark the fifth anniversary of the Group of Friends for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, warning that global progress in protecting women and girls is under growing pressure.

The event took place on the sidelines of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) and brought together UN officials, Member States and advocacy groups at a time when conflict, economic instability and backlash against gender equality are threatening hard-won gains.

Established in 2020, the Group of Friends has expanded to 96 member countries and serves as a platform to strengthen cooperation, share policy solutions and mobilise political and financial support to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

Global Warning: Violence Against Women Remains Widespread

Despite expanded legal frameworks in many countries, violence against women and girls remains a global crisis. According to UN estimates, nearly one in three women worldwide experiences violence during their lifetime.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed delivered a stark message at the gathering, urging governments to confront the growing threats facing women and girls.

“It’s time to pull the world back from the brink of celebrating war while abandoning women and girls,” she said.

“That begins with calling out the forms of power that we are rewarding. It continues with refusing impunity in every guise. It deepens when we protect those who speak out for justice.”

Speakers highlighted that progress in strengthening laws and national action plans has not yet translated into consistent protection, accountability or access to justice for survivors.

Rising Threats Undermining Progress

Participants warned that multiple global pressures are testing existing efforts to combat gender-based violence.

These include:

• Armed conflict and humanitarian crises

• Economic instability and shrinking public funding

• Backlash against gender equality movements

• Shrinking civic space for women’s rights organisations

• The rapid rise of technology-facilitated violence

Officials noted that while legal protections have improved in many countries, implementation gaps remain significant, leaving survivors without meaningful access to justice or protection.

“But no country can do this alone,” said Hadja Lahbib, the European Union Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Response.

“The backlash is coordinated. So our response must also be coordinated.”

Funding Crisis Threatens Frontline Support Services

A central theme of the meeting was the widening funding gap affecting organisations working to combat violence against women and girls.

Participants warned that shrinking financial resources are forcing many women’s rights organisations and support services to reduce or suspend programmes at the same time that demand for assistance is rising.

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said the funding shortfall is already having significant consequences.

“UN Women’s analysis shows that over one-third of women’s organisations are suspending programmes addressing violence,” she said.

“Almost all report severe reductions in women’s and girls’ access to essential services.”

Without predictable and long-term financing, experts warned that national laws and policies may fail to translate into real-world protection for survivors.

Technology-Driven Violence Emerging as New Challenge

Participants also highlighted the growing problem of technology-facilitated violence, including online harassment, threats and abuse targeting women.

Women in public roles—including journalists, politicians and human rights defenders—are particularly vulnerable to online attacks that can escalate into offline harm.

Experts warned that many legal systems are struggling to respond effectively because online violence remains under-regulated and enforcement mechanisms are uneven.

This emerging threat was reflected in the Group of Friends’ priorities, which emphasise strengthening legal frameworks and improving accountability mechanisms.

Partnerships with Civil Society Key to Progress

Speakers stressed that governments alone cannot eliminate gender-based violence, highlighting the importance of partnerships with women’s rights organisations and feminist movements.

These groups often play a crucial role in supporting survivors, gathering evidence and advocating for policy reforms.

Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, founder of Women Aid Collective (WACOL), emphasised that many countries already have laws addressing gender-based violence but struggle with enforcement.

“The laws exist, but they continue to fail survivors of sexual and gender-based violence,” she said.

“The problem is not a lack of legislation, but a lack of enforcement, resourcing and accountability.”

Initiatives such as the EU-funded UN Women ACT to End Violence against Women programme were highlighted as examples of targeted partnerships helping to strengthen advocacy and accountability efforts.

Building Survivor-Centred Justice Systems

Participants concluded that achieving meaningful progress will require inclusive, survivor-centred and gender-responsive justice systems.

This includes ensuring that women and girls can seek help without discrimination, stigma or re-traumatisation, while also investing in prevention efforts that address the root causes of gender-based violence.

Experts stressed that lasting change depends not only on responding to violence after it occurs but also on challenging harmful gender norms, strengthening institutions and supporting community-based prevention efforts.

As the Group of Friends marked its fifth anniversary, member states reaffirmed their commitment to working together to ensure women and girls worldwide can live free from violence, discrimination and fear.