Want to tackle GBV? Start by rewriting justice through survivors’ eyes

The United Kingdom government has said it aims to focus on stronger gender-based violence laws, investment in prevention, specialist training, and education reforms domestically, and pledged to carry its commitments to tackling violence into its foreign policy. But is this what survivors of gender-based violence want? One in three women worldwide will experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, and external pressures such as economic instability, conflict, and climate change are making the situation worse. When the U.K. government recently announced its participation in the “All In” initiative, a major new coalition that brings together international leaders, experts, and influential personalities from across the world to tackle violence against women and girls, and published its freedom from violence against women and girls strategy, it signaled renewed energy for tackling the epidemic of gender-based violence. We know that political will — and justice — form a crucial part of the comprehensive plans needed to tackle violence. Eighty-four percent of countries with available data now have specific laws addressing violence against women according to a report from UN Women, and the international community is committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Yet progress has been limited. We interviewed more than 150 women and girls in Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Rwanda who had survived violence to understand their experiences of justice. These were deeply concerning. Survivors described facing disbelief and blame from family, friends, colleagues, and community leaders, and many were encouraged to stay silent. Many women did not know they had legal rights. Those in remote areas lacked access to police or courts, while others faced language barriers. Those who did interact with the justice system found it slow, complex, and uncaring. Survivors described being dismissed, retraumatized, or even mocked. One told us: “Going to the police really made me feel like I was the criminal, not the victim.” Trust in institutions was consistently low. Police, courts, and health care providers were seen as corrupt or indifferent. Confidentiality was often breached, and support services were absent — especially for young women, those with disabilities, migrant workers, and rural communities. What stood out most, however, was what survivors actually wanted from justice. When asked to rank justice measures, being treated with dignity, being believed, and feeling safe were higher priorities than punishment of perpetrators. There is no disputing the importance of justice to hold individuals and institutions accountable and to achieve safety, dignity, and healing for survivors. But too often, justice is understood as a linear process ending in conviction. Survivors told us the experience of justice — and how they were treated — mattered most. One woman said: “All I need is for my truth to be heard.” Survivors wanted agency and empowerment. They wanted to be active participants in the process, not outsiders. Yes, they wanted perpetrators punished, but not always through imprisonment. For some, justice meant job loss, fines, or community shame. As one survivor put it: “Even if the perpetrator doesn’t go to jail, I want him to stand before people and admit what he did.” So what practical steps can governments, funders, and NGOs take to deliver the justice survivors want? 1. Ensure robust protection mechanisms Survivors told us they wanted changes at national and regional levels, with police and health care workers trained to support them with compassion, without humiliation or invasive questioning. They wanted stronger protection mechanisms, including safe relocation, restraining orders, and community policing to prevent repeat offences. 2. Set up funder requirements to drive accountability Funders, from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development governments to philanthropic and community funders, also have a vital role. They should require grant recipients to involve survivors in the design, implementation, and evaluation of justice programs and report on how this has been achieved. Crucially, they must measure indicators that matter to survivors — how safe they feel, how satisfied they are with their experience of the justice system, and their long-term well-being — rather than relying solely on conviction rates. Survivors also wanted services that support them immediately after an attack and throughout their recovery. That means funding trauma-informed models that combine legal aid with psychosocial support, safe spaces, housing, education, and economic empowerment. 3. Challenge long-running stigma Funders must also challenge stigma and harmful norms by supporting education and youth programs that promote consent, gender equality, and respect — actively involving men and boys as allies. And they need to provide flexible, long-term funding to grassroots women-led organizations to ensure survivors’ needs are met with cultural relevance and trust. NGOs can help by funding or running projects that raise awareness and normalize women and girls seeking justice. This includes facilitating dialogues between women and girls and elders and faith leaders, and encouraging survivors to share their stories in ways that fight stigma. “Break The Silence,” a project we fund in Uganda where survivors share their experiences on local radio, is one example. Civil society should support survivors to become leaders so they can speak out, support others, and push for justice. 4. Reshape current funding to be survivor-centered Given the current cuts to development funding, there may be questions about how tackling gender-based violence can be funded. We must fight to preserve overseas aid dollars but also redirect existing funds so they are spent in a survivor-centered way. It isn’t just about giving survivors justice — it’s about prevention. When justice is seen to be done, it strengthens trust in institutions, deters future violence, and advances gender equality. Only by centering survivors can the international community fulfil its promises to women and girls worldwide.