5^th Congress of the Mukwege International Chair

Ending gender-based violence: women's empowerment and sustainable development

The University of Montreal (UdeM) is proud to host the 5th congress of the Chair - through the International Health Unit (USI), the Hygeia Observatory, UdeM International, and their partners on the theme: "Ending gender-based violence: Women's empowerment and sustainable development".

Women's empowerment and gender equality are recognized as foundations for sustainable development, whether through the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action or the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The latter outlines 17 sustainable development goals, including Goal 5 which recognizes that gender equality is a necessary foundation for establishing a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Additionally, the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights specifies that "the right to sexual and reproductive health is an integral part of everyone's right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health".

In this regard, States parties are obliged to take all necessary measures to guarantee this right; a State would be in breach of its obligations if it fails to take all necessary measures to prevent and prohibit all forms of violence and constraints based on sex and gender. An observation by the committee details state obligations in the repression, prosecution, and monitoring of such violence. Individuals who are victims of gender-based violence should receive financial, legal, material, and medical support. The implementation of the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda is thus accompanied by international obligations. Thus, the Francophone Network for Gender Equality recognizes that the SDGs will not be achieved without provoking profound structural change to encourage the transformation of power relations between men and women.

The West African Health Organization (WAHO) has created the Sahel Women's Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Project (SWEDD) to improve the use of regional legal frameworks to strengthen the empowerment of girls, adolescents, and women through the development of a regional directive and a guide on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

As the world moves rapidly towards the deadline for the SDG strategies, the international Mukwege Chair congress aims to be a moment to reflect on the gains and obstacles presented by the multiple strategies in favor of gender equality and women's empowerment. It will be an opportunity to assess the progress of knowledge, interventions, policies in terms of rights, health, and women's empowerment to render them justice and achieve peace: two inseparable concepts in Professor Mukwege's mission. The congress aims to bring together and address actors and actresses of sustainable development:

 

• Actors and actresses in political, legal, social, economic, educational, financial, health, etc., fields;

• Clinical or research experts who revolve around the key themes of the congress (gender equality, GBV, health and empowerment of women and adolescents, SRHR, restorative and transitional justice, etc.);

• Civil society organizations or groups working for gender equality and the rights of women, adolescents, and children; and,

• Anyone who wishes to contribute individually, regardless of their profile, age, origin, living environment, level of education, social condition, culture, or religion.

 

A manifesto will be developed, drawn from all the lessons learned and the "success stories" marked. It will serve as a guide for resuming the advocacy and struggle for gender equality and the achievement of universal justice.

N.B. In the spirit of inclusion and valuing lived-experiences, people from the Global South, indigenous people, people living with disabilities, survivors of gender-based sexual violence and people living at the intersection of multiple identities are encouraged to participate. Those requiring accommodation may submit their request at the time of registration.

This content has been updated on 12 April 2024 at 20h27.