SVRI Forum 2009 Themes

Preventing sexual violence
Sexual violence is fuelled by global gender inequities -how can we use research to better understand the social and cultural context of sexual violence and develop interventions to build gender equity and challenge gender norms of male entitlement to sexual power and control over women?

Responding to sexual violence
Survivors of sexual violence need high quality multi-sectoral responses – how can we use research to define appropriate and effective responses that meet survivors’ needs?

Global advocacy
Sexual violence continues to be a stigmatised issue in many circles – how can we use research to place the issue under the global and national policy spotlight and ensure it is given the recognition and attention it deserves by policy makers and funders?

SAVE THE DATE!

In order to enable participation from developing countries a number of bursaries will be made available. Bursaries will cover conference fee package (travel, accommodation, meals and registration).

A call for abstracts will be issued in September 2008.

For more details email svri@mrc.ac.za

SVRI Forum 2009

Research for Advocacy and Interventions to end Sexual Violence

Johannesburg, South Africa, 8-11th March 2009

This global event will bring together 200 participants working on sexual violence as researchers, gender activists, funders, policy makers, service providers, survivors and others. The three day event includes:

Keynote and breakout sessions on the latest research and debates on: preventing sexual violence; responding to sexual violence; and global advocacy on sexual violence
A dialogue between activists, researchers, funders and policy makers on collaboration and partnerships
An analysis of current advances in health sector responses to sexual violence
Sexual violence research, ethics and advocacy skills building workshops

The conference is being organised by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI). The SVRI is a global initiative that promotes and disseminates policy relevant, action-oriented research to reduce and respond to sexual violence through: identifying gaps; building capacity; supporting research; raising awareness; and building partnerships. We are building an experienced and committed network of researchers, policy makers, activists and donors to ensure that the many aspects of sexual violence are addressed from different disciplinary and cultural perspectives.

For more details on SVRI visit www.svri.org