Suggested Sessions

Not Optional! Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Essential to Humanitarian Action

What exactly are the minimum standards for sexual and reproductive health during an emergency? In this session, panelists will present the humanitarian and human rights principles that underpin the minimum standards, and present effective models of delivery. Participants will learn how essential services can be ethically and effectively provided to meet the needs of girls and women affected by crises.

Surviving Day One: Birth in the Humanitarian-Development Nexus

Surviving the first day of childbirth (Day One) is a challenge for women and newborns everywhere, but especially in humanitarian contexts; more than half of maternal deaths occur in fragile states, many of them affected by conflict and recurring natural disasters. Similarly, 5 out of 10 countries with the highest neonatal mortality rate are in an acute or protracted humanitarian emergency. Historically, the global reproductive, maternal health and newborn health communities have worked separately. But that is changing. This panel brings together reproductive, maternal and newborn health communities, as well as humanitarian and development actors, to promote integrated maternal/newborn programming on the day of birth to achieve reductions in maternal and newborn mortality.

Designing Emergency Response with the Adolescent Girl in Mind

Come hear about the unique challenges facing adolescents girls attempting to access sexual and reproductive health services during the most difficult of circumstances—a humanitarian disaster. In this interactive session, youth leaders will provide insights into the risks encountered in several emergency settings, as well as their innovative strategies on building adolescent capacities to provide quality sexual and reproductive services to adolescent girls. Humanitarian programmers will also share results from successful programs and describe promising interventions tackling how to better respond to the sexual and reproductive health needs of this, particularly vulnerable population. More exciting details on this session to come!

A Humanitarian System by Women, for Women: The Essential Role of Women-Focused CSOs

The most valuable players in humanitarian action—women-focused civil society organizations (CSOs)—are also the first responders, the most knowledgeable about community needs, and the ones who stay long after international actors depart. In this session, CSOs will show how local expertise can inform humanitarian policies and practices, and empower CSOs in the process.

Concurrent Sessions

TUESDAY JUNE 4 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Not Optional! Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Essential to Humanitarian Action
Room 202-204

What exactly are the minimum standards for sexual and reproductive health during an emergency? In this session, panelists will present the humanitarian and human rights principles that underpin the minimum standards, and present effective models of delivery. Participants will learn how essential services can be ethically and effectively provided to meet the needs of girls and women affected by crises.

Organized by: IAWG, FP2020, NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security, UNFPA, Women Deliver

Beyond the Hashtag: Power and Women’s Movements in the Era of #MeToo
Room 301-305

Will the #MeToo movement create lasting change and an end to violence against girls and women? Thinking beyond the hashtag, this session will explore the role of INGOs, donors, and the UN system – together with survivors. Come learn how people are leveraging the power of the movement to transform national systems, and get to a world where no one needs to say #MeToo anymore.

Organized by: Men Engage, UNFPA, Spotlight Initiative, Together for Girls

TUESDAY JUNE 4 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Making Commitments A Reality: Rights of Migrant and Refugee Women
Room 217-219

Displacement often compounds existing discrimination against women, such that the risks and hurdles facing girls and women seeking asylum include discriminatory family laws and nationality laws, an increased risk of gender-based violence, and lack of access to essential sexual and reproductive healthcare. This session will look at legal protection for migrant and refugee girls and women through existing policies. Participants will learn how to hold countries accountable to their international legal commitments.

Organized by: Save the Children Canada, Women’s Refugee Commission

Surviving Day One: Birth in the Humanitarian-Development Nexus
Room 223-224

Surviving the first day of childbirth (Day One) is a challenge for women and newborns everywhere, but especially in humanitarian contexts; more than half of maternal deaths occur in fragile states, many of them affected by conflict and recurring natural disasters. Similarly, 5 out of 10 countries with the highest neonatal mortality rate are in an acute or protracted humanitarian emergency. Historically, the global reproductive, maternal health and newborn health communities have worked separately. But that is changing. This panel brings together reproductive, maternal and newborn health communities, as well as humanitarian and development actors, to promote integrated maternal/newborn programming on the day of birth to achieve reductions in maternal and newborn mortality.

Organized by: Family Planning 2020, Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Crises, NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security, UNFPA, Women Deliver

Capacity Building and Market-Driven Skills for Power and Progress in Crisis Settings
Room 114-115

Women are economic actors who build households and contribute to community resilience- including in humanitarian and conflict settings. This session will explore successful training and capacity building strategies that effectively increase economic opportunities for girls and women. Session speakers will share effective market-driven approaches for empowering and ensuring inclusive engagement of marginalized women, including the use of technology, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and market-driven job training.

Organized by: International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, World Food Programme

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Education in Emergencies: Towards a Coordinated Global Response for Girls
Room 116-117

In emergencies, girls are more likely than boys to be kept out of school. This session will bring together diverse voices working towards a future where all girls can learn, no matter their situation. Youth voices join local and international actors in the education space to discuss program, policy, and finance solutions to give out-of-school children – particularly girls – the power to learn again.

Organized by: PLAN International, Malala Fund, UNGEI, UNESCO

At the Margins: Engaging Sidelined Communities in the Mainstream SRHR Movement
Room 215-216

Using a combination of storytelling and sensitive reflection, this session will unpack the issues that marginalized girls and women face while trying to achieve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in different parts of the world. Learn how mainstream women’s rights movements can and must better engage marginalized communities.

Organized by: International Planned Parenthood Federation, Sonke Gender Justice, Women Enabled International

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Women’s Economic Empowerment in Humanitarian Settings
Room 220

Initiatives to increase women’s economic empowerment are predominantly designed for stable contexts, and skepticism persists that women’s economic empowerment is either achievable or a priority in crisis and humanitarian settings. This session will explore how uses of technology, entrepreneurship, income-generation, and financial inclusion can be gender-transformative for women in displacement and humanitarian settings.

Organized by: International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, World Food Programme

Warzone Rape: Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
Room 205-207

Sexual violence is used as a weapon of war worldwide, with life-long impacts on survivors and societies. This session examines promising approaches and partnerships – from local level to global – in preventing sexual violence in conflict, including how accountability can serve as a deterrent, how to employ a survivor-centered approach to support local learning and risk reduction, and how promising partnerships are building growing momentum to end sexual violence in conflict.

Organized by: Save the Children Canada, Women’s Refugee Commission

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Rapid Response: Reaching Girls and Women in Pandemics
Room 220

Recent pandemics such as Avian flu, Ebola and Zika have exposed the fragility of health systems and highlighted that girls and women are both especially resilient, and particularly vulnerable. In this session, learn about are gender sensitive strategies for strengthening health services that can identify pandemics early, respond rapidly and effectively, and provide quality services to affected populations. Panelists will share what works, where gaps exist, and how to address priority needs, especially for girls and women.

Organized by: Amref Health Africa, Population Action International, PHCPI, World Bank, World Health Organization
Designing Emergency Response with the Adolescent Girl in Mind
Room 110

During natural and man-made humanitarian emergencies, young people, especially adolescent girls are often more vulnerable to sexual violence, coercion, and exploitation, including high-risk or transactional sex for survival. Humanitarian services are often not responsive to sexual and reproductive health needs—contributing to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted diseases. In this session, panelists will share examples of successful programs and strategies to meet adolescents’ needs in times of crisis.

Organized by: Family Planning 2020, Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Crises, NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security, UNFPA, Women Deliver

Women, Conflict, and the Future of Economic Empowerment
Room 214

In conflict-affected situations, where markets have limited function and government support is weak, many women face extreme social and economic marginalization. Bringing together donors, NGOs, a youth leader, and the private sector, this session will explore women’s economic empowerment in conflict-affected situations. Join the debate around critical humanitarian challenges, successful approaches, funding streams, and how best to promote women’s empowerment and the future of economic empowerment in conflict and fragile settings.
Organized by: International Finance Corporation, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Women for Women International.

THURSDAY, JUNE 6 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Ungagged: The Latest Strategies for Advancing SRHR and Gender Equality Amidst the Global Gag Rule
Room 301-305

Reinstated and expanded in 2017, Global Gag Rule (also known as the Mexico City Policy), has affected the movement for abortion rights, gender equality, and global health worldwide. It prohibits all recipients of global health funding from the United States of America from providing legal abortion services or referrals – even when funded from other sources – and impacts a range of organizations working to expand access to contraception, prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, combat malaria, and improve maternal and child health. Women’s rights and health champions are pushing back. This session will provide essential information on how the Global Gag Rule impacts programs and people, and discuss best practices, advocacy opportunities, and funding mechanisms for affected organizations and communities.

Organized by: Center for Reproductive Rights, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Ipas

A Humanitarian System by Women, for Women: The Essential Role of Women-Focused CSOs
Room 114-155

The most valuable players in humanitarian action—women-focused civil society organizations (CSOs)—are also the first responders, the most knowledgeable about community needs, and the ones who stay long after international actors depart. In this session, CSOs will show how local expertise can inform humanitarian policies and practices, and empower CSOs in the process.

Organized by: Family Planning 2020, Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health in Crises, NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security, UNFPA, Women Deliver

No Women, No Peace!
Room 202-204

Nothing about us, without us! Female leaders bring critical insights to international, national, and local peace processes. This session will focus on how women are creating peace and stability in their own communities. Hear from current and former government officials and community leaders who will share actions that all women can take to ensure a more peaceful future—starting in their own neighborhoods.

Organized by: National Democratic Institute, Plan International, Women’s Political Leaders

Do No Harm: Local to Global Efforts to Prevent and Address Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Humanitarian Settings
Room 220

Conflict-affected girls and women increasingly rely on humanitarian assistance for survival, placing power at the hands of aid workers and peacekeepers. Such a power imbalance increases risk of sexual exploitation and abuse. This session explores local and global initiatives to tackle the inherent power imbalances in humanitarian assistance and keep peacekeepers accountable to their principle of ‘Do No Harm.’

Organized by: Save the Children Canada, Women’s Refugee Commission

Side Events

THREAD: REFUGEE WOMEN AS AGENTS OF CHANGE

Host(s) Aalborg University; Copenhagen University; Innovation Foundation, Denmark
Date Sunday, June 2
Time 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location Vancouver Convention Center, Room 118
Availability Open to all delegates

The THREAD research project is created by female scholars at Copenhagen and Aalborg University, Denmark. It aims to use refugee women’s knowledge in the integration process by acknowledging refugee women as agents of change. THREAD aims to build a dynamic hub of organisations and individuals from the public and private sectors offering creative opportunities for personal development, skills acquisition and self-employment to women refugees.

The presentation will be organized as a process consisting of short power point presentation, video, and engaging participants in activities.

A CRITICAL NEED: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE IN CRISIS SETTINGS

Host(s) Ipas and Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders
Date Sunday, June 2
Time 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location Vancouver Convention Center, Room 118
Availability Open to all delegates

Join us for an interactive reception focused on the importance of sexual and reproductive health care, including safe abortion, in humanitarian settings. Take in an exhibit that highlights – through stories and photos of Rohingya refugees and health providers – the critical need for this care and the efforts to meet it. Get an immersive look at a Rohingya refugee camp in a VR headset. Hear firsthand experiences from providers and experts, and share your own stories.

RSVP requested; email ipasforwomen@ipas.org.

ENSURING PROGRAM QUALITY: THE IASC GENDER WITH AGE MARKER

Host(s) IASC GenCap Project
Date Sunday, June 2
Time 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location Vancouver Convention Center
Availability Open to all delegates

The IASC GAM is a new tool to assess and improve gender equality programming. It automatically codes projects based on multiple-choice questions, suggesting simple actions to improve responsiveness and consistency. The GAM is not a subjective ‘compliance’ tool setting a minimum standard to be achieved. Rather, it is a reflective learning tool whereby users can identify ways to better address gender- and age-related concerns. The session will provide a practical orientation and discussion.

SRHR IN HUMANITARIAN SETTINGS – SHIFTING POWER THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO REALIZE THE POTENTIAL OF LOCALIZATION

Host(s) IPPF Humanitarian
Date Sunday, June 2
Time 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location Vancouver Convention Center, Room 221-222
Availability Open to all delegates

Connecting local experiences from sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) service delivery in humanitarian settings and engagement with and empowerment of women. A diverse global panel of IPPF member association and partner representatives will share their SRHR experiences working across disaster resilience, preparedness, crisis response and recovery.

Open to all delegates. Registration is optional.

A HUMANITARIAN IMPERATIVE: REDUCING THE RISK OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Host(s) UNICEF and Action Against Hunger
Date Monday, June 3
Time 8:00 PM – 10:00 pm
Location Fairmount Waterfront Hotel, Princess Louisa Room 900 Canada Pl. **OFFSITE**
Availability Open to all delegates

What is our humanitarian imperative to reduce risks and not cause harm to communities affected by crisis? What are the linkages between nutrition programmes and risks of violence for women and girls? What does ‘safety’ mean in an environment of systemic violence for women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside?

Hear from practitioners on the frontlines who are providing dignified and safe services to women and girls in humanitarian emergencies and Vancouver. Network and movement-build with activists, service providers and policy specialists.

Please register here.

A WOMAN EVEN HERE: WOMEN ISSUES IN HUMANITARIAN SETTINGS IN THE ARAB STATES REGION

Host(s) UNFPA Arab States RO and IPPF Arab World RO
Date Tuesday, June 4
Time 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Location Vancouver Convention Center, Room 208-209
Availability Open to all delegates

Arab States feature prominently in global statistics for fragility and humanitarian crises. While remarkable progress has been achieved during the past decade protecting the health and rights of women and adolescent girls in humanitarian settings, the growth in need has outstripped the growth in funding and services. This event, with the participation of high level panelists, will be an opportunity to raise issues faced by Arab Women in conflict affected areas and open a debate on ways to overcome the challenges with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and S-GBV issues.

Please RSVP to elguebaly@unfpa.org copying sahbani@unfpa.org.

ON THE FRONT LINES OF WAR IN YEMEN: WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

Host(s) Oxfam
Date Tuesday, June 4
Time 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location Vancouver Convention Center, Room 202-204
Availability Open to all delegates
More Info

Join Oxfam for an evening of art, food and conversation with Yemeni women rights defenders working on the front lines of the world’s worst humanitarian disaster.

MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE: ADVANCING WOMEN’S HEALTH LEADERSHIP IN HUMANITARIAN CONTEXTS

Host(s) International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Date Tuesday, June 4
Time 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location Vancouver Convention Center, Room 118
Availability Open to all delegates
More Info

Hear from diverse speakers of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement about the successes, challenges, and next steps for inclusive humanitarian response. Our Movement plays an important role in supporting women and girls during crises, and to reach the most vulnerable so that no one is left behind. Join our volunteers, field practitioners, and senior leadership for candid conversations on accessing health services, empowering local women as decision-makers, and overcoming barriers in humanitarian contexts.

BORN INTO CRISIS: A GLOBAL ROADMAP FOR SURVIVING THE DAY OF BIRTH IN HUMANITARIAN SETTINGS

Host(s) WHO, UNICEF, Save the Children, HRH Princess Sarah Zeid
Date Thursday, June 6
Time 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Location Vancouver Convention Center, Room 221-222
Availability Open to all delegates

The day of birth is the riskiest for women and their babies, with nearly half of maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirths taking place during this period. Many of these deaths are preventable, including in humanitarian settings, where nearly half of these deaths occur. Join WHO, UNICEF, Save the Children, and HRH Princess Sarah Zeid to launch a multi-sectoral five-year roadmap and to learn more about this global movement to save the world’s most vulnerable.

About the Conference

The Women Deliver 2019 Conference – the world’s largest gathering on the health, rights, and wellbeing of women and girls – will serve as a fueling station for advocates working to achieve a more gender equal world. In the summer of 2019, over 6,000 world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, and journalists will flock to Vancouver with dreams of accelerating progress girls and women everywhere.

This convening – the fifth triennial Women Deliver global conference – will come at a time when the global terrain for girls and women continues to shift, as progress in health, education, and economic participation of women is threatened by conservative forces who want to scale back women’s rights and ability to decide on their own bodies and lives.

The choice of Canada as a location of the 2019 conference – a country that continues to prioritize gender equality – will send a signal to the world that investing in the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women is not optional, but foundational to catalytic reform and progress for all.

Stay tuned for conference updates by subscribing to our WD2019 newsletter. For more information, please visit the Women Deliver 2019 Conference website.