The Global Summit on Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Refugee and Humanitarian Crises
Summit Program
Date: December 13th – 14th, 2024
Venue: 163 Queen St E, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5A
Day 1: December 13, 2024
08:00 – 09:30 AM
Arrival and registration
Volunteers
09:30 – 10:00 AM
Opening Remarks
Entertainment Interlude
Lilian Aine Tusiime
Executive Director – Hope for Refugees
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Key Note Presentation
A Holistic Approach to Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Refugee and Humanitarian Crises: Integrating Prevention, Protection, Policy, Community Empowerment, and Survivor Leadership using trauma-informed and human rights approaches.
TBC
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Opening Plenary Session 1
A Holistic Approach to Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Refugee and Humanitarian Crises: Integrating Prevention, Protection, Policy, Community Empowerment, and Survivor Leadership using trauma-informed and human rights approaches.
TBC
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Lunch Break
All
1:30 – 3:00 pm
Trauma-Responsive Mind-Body Wellness Workshop for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence
Workshop
Join us for an engaging and transformative workshop designed to support survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) through a trauma-responsive mind-body wellness approach. This workshop aims to create a safe and supportive environment where participants can explore healing practices and build resilience.
TBC
3:00 – 4:00 pm
“Building Safer Communities: A Masterclass on Trauma Responsive Mind-Body Wellness.”
This Masterclass will focus on the critical issue of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and the role of trauma-responsive care in creating safer, more supportive communities.
As part of this masterclass, Rituals for Recovery will also launch its 3-day community training: “Trauma Responsive Care and Gender-Based Violence: Empowering Helpers, Transforming Lives.” This training is designed to equip helpers with the knowledge and skills they need to transform lives and build trauma-responsive communities that prioritize safety, equity, and empowerment.
Amanda Willett,
Director Rituals for Recovery
4:00 – 4:30 pm
Entertainment Interlude
4:30 – 5:30 pm
Coffee Break, Oral Poster Presentations, Exhibitions, and Networking
All
End of the Day
Day 2: December 14, 2024
08:00 – 09:30 AM
Arrival and registration
Volunteers
09:30 – 10:00 AM
Recap of Day One
TBC
10:00 – 12:00 pm
Plenary Session 2
“Healing and Justice: Delivering Trauma-Informed and Essential Comprehensive Support Services for SGBV Survivors in Refugee and Crisis Settings”
TBC
Rituals for recovery
FCJ
City of Toronto
Survivor
12:00 – 12:30 pm
Entertainment Interlude
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Lunch Break
All
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Workshop Session 2
“Empowering Voices, Transforming Communities: Survivor-Led Initiatives for Building Resilience and Ending SGBV”
TBC
2:30 – 3:00 pm
Entertainment Break
3:00 – 4:30 pm
Plenary Session 3
“Unveiling the Root Causes of SGBV in Refugee Settings: The Role of Social Norms, Cultural Beliefs, and Economic Inequality”
Building a master class: Building Responsive Communities on trauma-responsive Care ( give participants insights into the program) 1 hour + Q&A
TBC
Rituals for recovery
FCJ
City of Toronto
Survivor
4:30 – 5:00 pm
Closing and networking/cocktail and the Newcomer Settlement Service Awards Ceremony
All
Day 1
Opening plenary Session 1
Session Title: A Holistic Approach to Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Refugee and Humanitarian Crises: Integrating Prevention, Protection, Policy, Community Empowerment, and Survivor Leadership using trauma-informed and human rights approaches.
Session Description
This session will bring together a diverse panel of experts, survivors, community leaders, policymakers, and advocates to explore a comprehensive approach to addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in refugee and humanitarian settings. The discussion will focus on integrating diverse strategies that emphasize the critical roles of community empowerment, collaboration, policy development, and survivor-led initiatives. By examining these multifaceted approaches, the session will highlight how sustainable and effective solutions to SGBV can be achieved, with a particular focus on the importance of community involvement and the use of innovative tools, including technology.
Key Themes
- Understanding the Complexities of SGBV: Analyzing the root causes and systemic factors contributing to SGBV, and how these are intensified in crisis situations.
- Community-Led Prevention Strategies: Highlighting the power of grassroots movements and local leadership in preventing SGBV, with a focus on engaging communities, including men and boys, in changing harmful norms and behaviors.
- Strengthening Legal and Policy Frameworks: Examining the impact of international and national policies in protecting refugees from SGBV, and the importance of community involvement in policy advocacy and implementation.
- Comprehensive Survivor Support: Discussing best practices for providing integrated services—health, legal, psychosocial, and economic empowerment—with an emphasis on community-based support systems that foster resilience and recovery.
- Empowering Communities and Survivors as Agents of Change: Showcasing successful initiatives where communities and survivors have taken the lead in preventing and responding to SGBV, highlighting the importance of local ownership and empowerment in driving long-term change.
Objectives
This session aims to deliver a compelling message that ending SGBV requires a coordinated, all-encompassing approach that combines top-down policy and protection strategies with bottom-up, community-driven efforts. Participants will be inspired to recognize the essential roles of cross-sector collaboration, community empowerment, and survivor leadership in building resilient, self-sustaining communities capable of effectively combating SGBV in refugee and humanitarian contexts.
Workshop
Title: Trauma-Responsive Mind-Body Wellness Workshop for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence
Workshop Description
Join us for an engaging and transformative workshop designed to support survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) through a trauma-responsive mind-body wellness approach. This workshop aims to create a safe and supportive environment where participants can explore healing practices and build resilience.
Workshop Highlights
- Ice Breaker Activity: We will start with a gentle icebreaker to foster a sense of community and trust among participants. This activity will help attendees feel more comfortable and connected, setting the tone for an open and supportive workshop environment.
- Holistic Learning Approach: The workshop will promote social-emotional learning through interactive activities, hands-on activities, reflective exercises, and a supportive sharing circle, enabling participants to develop emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and empathy.
- Trauma-Responsive Exercises: Throughout the session, we will introduce exercises that are specifically designed to be trauma-responsive. These activities will include grounding techniques, mindfulness practices, and gentle movement to help participants reconnect with their bodies and emotions in a safe and controlled manner.
- Mind-Body Wellness Practices: We will explore the connection between the mind and body, emphasizing the importance of self-care and holistic wellness. Participants will learn practical tools and strategies to integrate mind-body wellness into their daily lives, fostering long-term healing and resilience.
- Community Sharing Circle: A significant component of the workshop will be the sharing circle, where participants are invited to share their experiences and insights in a supportive and non-judgmental space. This circle will allow for deep listening, mutual support, and community building, reinforcing the importance of collective healing.
- Interactive and Supportive Environment: The workshop will be highly interactive, encouraging participants to share their experiences, insights, and questions. Our goal is to create a supportive community where survivors feel heard, validated, and empowered.
By the end of this workshop, participants will have a deeper understanding of trauma-responsive care and practical skills to enhance their well-being. Join us in this empowering journey towards healing and resilience. Intended Audience: This workshop is designed for survivors of gender-based violence, support workers, and anyone interested in trauma-responsive care and mind-body wellness.
Masterclass
Session Topic: Building Safer Communities: A Masterclass on Trauma Responsive Mind-Body Wellness
Join us for an empowering and transformative masterclass, “Building Safer Communities: A Masterclass on Trauma Responsive Mind-Body Wellness,” where we focus on the critical issue of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and the role of trauma-responsive care in creating safer, more supportive communities. This masterclass is a must-attend for professionals, community leaders, educators, and anyone dedicated to addressing gender-based violence and fostering environments that promote healing and resilience.
Explore the profound effects of trauma on individuals and communities, and learn how to effectively respond to and support survivors of IPV. Through the innovative RfR Method and Rituals for Recovery’s Trauma Responsive Community Model and Framework, you will gain practical tools and strategies to mitigate trauma’s impact and facilitate lasting healing and growth.
As part of this masterclass, we are thrilled to launch our 3-day community training: “Trauma Responsive Care and Gender-Based Violence: Empowering Helpers, Transforming Lives.” This training is designed to equip helpers with the knowledge and skills they need to transform lives and build trauma-responsive communities that prioritize safety, equity, and empowerment.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a movement that is reshaping the way we support survivors of gender-based violence and create lasting change in our communities.
Each masterclass attendee will receive our guide, a free resource that includes culturally specific tools and guidelines tailored to the needs and priorities of survivors in Canada.
Below is a suggested outline for your 60-minute masterclass, “Building Safer Communities: A Masterclass on Trauma Responsive Mind-Body Wellness.”
Day 2
Panel Session 2
Session Title: “Healing and Justice: Delivering Trauma-Informed and Essential Comprehensive Support Services for SGBV Survivors in Refugee and Crisis Settings”
Session Description
This panel session will explore the critical components of comprehensive trauma-informed care and support services for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in refugee and other vulnerable populations. Focusing on the integration of sexual and reproductive health services, post-rape care, legal assistance, and psychosocial support, the discussion will delve into best practices for delivering these services in a coordinated and trauma-informed manner. The discussion will also explore the principles and practices of trauma-informed care and how they can be leveraged to build resilient communities. By understanding trauma and its effects, community leaders, practitioners, and organizations can create environments that promote healing, resilience, and positive outcomes for all members.
Panelists will address the unique challenges faced in serving refugees and other vulnerable communities, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed services and culturally sensitive approaches and the need to build local capacity to ensure sustainable, survivor-centered care.
Session Objectives
1- Examine Best Practices
- Discuss effective strategies for providing integrated trauma-informed medical, legal, and psychosocial support to SGBV survivors, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health services and post-rape care.
- Highlight successful models of trauma-informed care that address the physical, emotional, and legal needs of survivors in a holistic manner.
2- Emphasize the Importance of Cultural Sensitivity
- Explore the role of culturally sensitive services in ensuring that support is accessible and appropriate for diverse survivor populations, including women, children, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.
- Discuss the importance of understanding and respecting cultural norms while providing care that upholds human rights and survivor dignity.
3- Build Capacity for Comprehensive Support
- Identify strategies for strengthening local healthcare, legal, and social service systems to deliver comprehensive survivor support in crisis settings.
- Discuss the role of international organizations, NGOs, and local communities in building the capacity of frontline workers and service providers to ensure sustainable, high-quality care.
4- Promote Collaboration and Coordination
- Explore how various sectors—healthcare, legal, social services, and community organizations—can collaborate effectively to provide seamless, coordinated support to survivors.
- Highlight the importance of survivor involvement in the design and delivery of support services, ensuring that their voices and needs are at the center of all interventions.
This session aims to provide a deep dive into the essential components of comprehensive survivor support, offering practical insights and recommendations for improving care and outcomes for SGBV survivors in refugee and humanitarian contexts.
Workshop Session
“Empowering Voices, Transforming Communities: Survivor-Led Initiatives for Building Resilience and Ending SGBV”
Workshop Description
This interactive workshop will focus on the power of survivor-led initiatives in combating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and building resilient communities in refugee and humanitarian settings. Participants will engage directly with survivors who have turned their experiences of SGBV into stories of strength, resilience, and change, leading the fight against SGBV through community-based initiatives. The workshop will explore best practices for survivor engagement in advocacy, leadership, and decision-making, while also discussing innovative approaches to creating sustainable, survivor-led solutions. By fostering collaboration between survivors, NGOs, and governments, the workshop aims to inspire participants to support and amplify survivor leadership in the ongoing struggle to end SGBV.
Workshop Objectives
1- Amplify Survivor Voices
- Create a platform for survivors to share their personal stories of survival, resilience, and recovery, highlighting the transformative power of their experiences.
- Explore how these stories can inspire and mobilize communities to take collective action against SGBV.
2- Promote Survivor Leadership in Community-Based Initiatives
- Discuss the role of survivors in leading and shaping community-based initiatives to prevent and respond to SGBV.
- Highlight best practices for engaging survivors in leadership roles, ensuring that their insights and experiences drive decision-making and advocacy efforts.
3- Develop Sustainable, Survivor-Led Solutions
- Explore innovative, community-led approaches to preventing and responding to SGBV, with a focus on sustainability and long-term impact.
- Discuss strategies for supporting survivor networks and organizations, empowering them to lead the fight against SGBV and advocate for systemic change.
4- Foster Collaborative Partnerships
- Examine ways to build effective partnerships between survivors, NGOs, and governments to create a coordinated and impactful response to SGBV.
- Discuss how these partnerships can support the scalability and sustainability of survivor-led initiatives, ensuring lasting change in refugee and humanitarian settings.
Expected Outcomes
- Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the critical role of survivors in combating SGBV and fostering community resilience.
- Practical strategies and best practices will be shared for engaging and supporting survivor leadership in advocacy and community-based initiatives.
- The workshop will inspire participants to foster collaborative partnerships that amplify survivor voices and empower communities to lead the fight against SGBV.
- This workshop aims to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to support and engage survivors in leadership roles, ultimately contributing to the creation of resilient, survivor-led communities dedicated to ending SGBV.
Panel Session 3
Session Title: “Unveiling the Root Causes of SGBV in Refugee Settings: The Role of Social Norms, Cultural Beliefs, and Economic Inequality”
Session Description
This panel session will delve into the underlying social, cultural, and economic factors that perpetuate gender inequality and contribute to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in refugees and other vulnerable populations. By examining harmful practices such as early and forced marriages, female genital mutilation (FGM), and human trafficking, the discussion will uncover how deeply rooted norms and beliefs, combined with poverty, create environments where SGBV thrives. The session will focus on understanding these complex dynamics and exploring strategies to challenge and change these harmful practices, ultimately working toward the prevention of SGBV and the promotion of gender equality in refugee communities.
Session Objectives
1- Analyze Social and Cultural Norms
- Examine how traditional beliefs and cultural practices, including patriarchal norms and gender roles, perpetuate gender inequality and contribute to SGBV.
- Discuss the specific cultural practices, such as early and forced marriages and FGM, that are prevalent in refugee settings and how they are maintained by social and cultural pressures.
2- Explore Economic Factors
- Investigate the role of economic insecurity and poverty in exacerbating vulnerability to SGBV, including how economic desperation can lead to practices like human trafficking and child marriage as survival strategies.
- Discuss the impact of displacement and loss of livelihoods on the power dynamics within families and communities, contributing to increased risks of SGBV.
3- Understand the Intersectionality of Factors
- Analyze how social, cultural, and economic factors intersect and reinforce each other, creating a complex web that sustains harmful practices and SGBV.
- Explore the different forms of SGBV that arise from these intersecting factors, highlighting case studies and examples from various refugee and humanitarian settings.
4- Develop Strategies for Change
- Discuss approaches to challenging and transforming harmful social norms and negative cultural practices, including community engagement, education, and advocacy.
- Explore economic empowerment initiatives that can reduce vulnerability to SGBV, such as livelihood programs, access to education, and microfinance opportunities for women and girls.
- Highlight successful interventions that have addressed the root causes of SGBV in refugee communities, focusing on culturally sensitive and locally-led efforts.
This session aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the root causes of SGBV among refugees and vulnerable populations, offering insights into the complex interplay of social, cultural, and economic factors that sustain gender inequality and harmful practices. Through this exploration, the session will propose actionable strategies to challenge and change these dynamics, working toward the prevention of SGBV and the advancement of gender equality in crisis-affected communities.