On 25 November 2024, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, 50 leaders at the G100 network gathered in Paris at an event organised by the G100 wing of Government & Ministerial Advocacy, led by Patricia Elias, in association with Every Woman Treaty. 

G100 Global Chairs from across different wings and from across the world, joined in support, including from Europe, Asia and Africa. The participants included senators, high-ranking officials, former ministers and civil society leaders who shared their insights and inputs on how to strengthen societies globally through treaties and instruments toward eliminating the epidemic of violence against women. 

On the occasion, the discussion centered on further strengthening the CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), through a complementary protocol aimed at bridging the gaps in CEDAW, especially regards compliance and implementation. Other measures were also shared by all for better protection of women’s fundamental rights, especially as the contextual realities such culture and needs are different from to region, and must be taken into account for customising solutions. 

Discussions also focussed on providing universal access to education and health, as these basic rights still remain inaccessible to millions of women and girls worldwide. 

More importantly, organisations such as ours can enable the engagement of top decision-makers, in order to take cognisance of such issues affecting women, so that policymakers and public figures can address these realities and integrate them into their policies for inclusive solutions.

The colloquium was a rich learning experience and exchange with inspiring women leaders from G100, a global network committed to real change. Together, we laid the groundwork for concrete and sustainable actions.