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ACT General Assembly 101: What is it, what we do, why we gather

 

 

Press conference: A challenging climate: how political polarisation is contributing to climate breakdown

5 exciting highlights from a youth delegate

We want to have an active voice in the General Assembly

Youth pre-Assembly begins in Yogyakarta!

Sierra Leone Forum – Transforming Masculinity 

Focus on West Africa 

Fiona Connelly.

PHOTO: Christian Y. Bundu/Christian Aid

An innovative project led by the ACT Sierra Leone Forum has seen more than 200 men and boys become gender justice changemakers. Promoting Gender Transformative Approaches in Sierra Leone through Positive Masculinity addresses violence against women and girls and was developed with ACT’s Gender Justice programme.  

Evidence shows that men and boys must be active allies in the struggle for gender equality, transforming harmful gender norms and promoting positive behaviours. The changemakers mentor and train other men and boys to advance gender equality in their communities and advocate for gender-balanced decision-making at local and national levels. 

Using a faith-based, community-driven approach, the project promotes the positive aspects of masculinity and aims for long-term behavioural change. The changemakers’ training includes working with women and girls to develop and practice inclusive, equitable, and sustainable approaches to gender justice. These address the needs and rights of all individuals across the gender spectrum.  

Gendered challenges  

Gender-specific challenges Sierra Leone women face include: 

  • gender-based violence;  
  • limited access to higher education; 
  • restricted access to healthcare and related high maternal mortality rates;  
  • forced child marriages, including for girls as young as 12; 
  • limited access to employment, land ownership, and their own financial resources due to traditional gender roles; and, 
  • female genital mutilation, which has serious health risks and violates women’s and girls’ rights to bodily integrity and autonomy.

These issues are not limited to Sierra Leone and can be found in several African and other countries. 

Transformations 

 The project has led to the following transformations:  

  • Members of Positive Masculinity Clubs meet regularly to discuss and promote gender equality practices. 
  • Men and boys now challenge harmful traditional practices. This contributes to a broader cultural shift towards gender equality and reduces gender-based violence. 
  • Spouses model respectful and equitable relationships with their partners and families. Boys do the same with their families and friends. 
  • Males can better identify their emotions and seek support as needed. Communication skills and emotional wellbeing have improved. 
  • Men and boys’ greater involvement in caregiving and parenting promotes gender equality in the household. 

ACT Sierra Leone Forum accompaniment important

The ACT Sierra Leone Forum has accompanied the male changemakers throughout, providing evidence for communities that the project is having the desired effect. Gender transformative masculinity has been discussed in the media and in awareness raising programs, encouraging public discussion of policies to promote gender equality. 

A collaborative programme 

Developed with ACT’s Gender Justice programme, the project involved ACT member Christian Aid and the Christian Council of Sierra Leone, the Side-By-Side Movement for Gender Justice, the Ministry of Gender and the National Movement for Emancipation and Progress (NaMEP). 

A path for the future  

By addressing the root causes of gender inequality and engaging men as agents of change, this project will help create a more inclusive Sierra Leone. 

By Fiona Connelly, from Daisy Yator’s interview with Ms.Keziah Kargo, Christian Council of Sierra Leone General Secretary. Thank you to ACT Alliance Gender Justice staff Rachel Tavernor for additional information. A shorter version of this article appeared in the ACT Alliance Annual Report 2023. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACT Palestine Forum welcomes UN Resolution

ACT Palestine Forum (APF) welcomes the historic resolution in the UN General Assembly’s emergency session on the 18th of September 2024, demanding Israel “brings to an end without delay its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory… and do so no later than 12 months,” and “comply without delay with all its legal obligations under international law.” This resolution affirms the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) Advisory opinion as requested under resolution A/RES/77/247 that was issued on 30th of December 2022.1 

The resolution, passed with a majority of 124 votes, 43 abstentions, and 14 votes against it2, reflects the international community’s commitment to peace and human rights for the Palestinian people.  We view this decision as a crucial step towards ending the decades-long injustice endured by Palestinians. The resolution is also a powerful call for Israel to end its illegal occupation, halt all new settlements constructions, remove parts of the wall it has built and evacuate all settlers from the occupied State of Palestine, including those in Jerusalem. 

We believe that this resolution has the potential to strengthen the efforts towards achieving a just and lasting solution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict and it emphasizes the necessity of adherence to international law and human rights standards. We call upon the international community to take concrete actions to ensure the implementation of the resolution to ensure the protection of human rights. 

We urge all concerned parties to commit seriously to a peaceful and sustainable resolution of the conflict. We call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and an end of all forms of violence against Palestinians by settlers and the Israeli army in the West Bank. 

APF also urges all members of the ACT Alliance and the churches, particularly those active in the countries that voted against the resolution, to continue advocating with politicians and decision-makers to support the right of Palestinians to self-determination. Their support is essential to building a future of peace and justice for all peoples in the region, the Holy Land, and the world. 

At APF, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Palestinian people in their pursuit of their legitimate rights and we commit to providing humanitarian assistance and aid to all those affected by this conflict to be able to live in freedom, dignity and justice.  

We call upon all people around the world to stand by this resolution and support it by all possible means. We also underscore how the Security Council resolutions and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice constitute additional legal and moral frameworks that must be upheld. This is essential for ensuring the realization of Palestinian rights and the end of the occupation, and upholding a global commitment to an international order based on the rule of law and international law. 

 

ACT Alliance statement on the situation in Lebanon

ACT Alliance is deeply concerned about the escalating violence in Lebanon. Lebanon has been under constant bombing since September 23, 2024. On the 28th of September, Beirut had witnessed more than 85 raids in one night. As the situation in Lebanon deteriorates, we urge immediate international support to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis. The magnitude of this emergency calls for immediate assistance. The people of Lebanon are already enduring immense hardship and cannot wait any longer. 

We call upon the international community to take action to:

  • Request a cessation of hostilities and stop the displacement of around 1.2 million Lebanese, and other vulnerable people who sought refuge in Lebanon.
  • Prioritize the protection of civilians and take responsibility as duty-bearers.
  • Halt arms sales and transfer to Israel. All responsible parties should comply with UN Resolution ES-10/L.31/Rev.1 and “halt the transfer of arms, munitions, and related equipment to Israel”.
  • Support humanitarian actors, including ACT Alliance members, in their continuous work to respond to the needs of those affected, especially the families, mothers and children who lost all their savings and belongings and, most importantly, are not safe. 

We call on all ACT Members to:

  • Fund the LEB 241 appeal to enable ACT members operational in Lebanon to provide life saving support to those affected.
  • Continue to advocate at national and international levels to end the hostilities and protect international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights.

We express our strong condemnation of the repeated violations of IHL principles, particularly concerning the ongoing targeting of civilians, the media and humanitarian workers. Upholding IHL is of paramount importance, and all parties involved in the conflict must adhere to the fundamental obligation to distinguish between civilians and combatants at all times. The protection of civilians must remain a priority, and compliance with IHL is essential to reduce suffering and preserve human dignity during armed conflict.

The Current Situation in Lebanon

Up until the 8th of October 2024 as per Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), It is estimated that 990 shelters are hosting 181,700 Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs). These numbers don’t take into consideration the estimated 1.2 million people who are residing with families and friends, or those who are on the streets as they cannot find a shelter to go to. The toll on civilians, especially the most vulnerable populations such as children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, is devastating as they had to leave their homes and find shelter under bridges and in tunnels to find protection from bombings.

Numbers Reflecting the Crisis

  • Displacement: Over 1.2 million  people are estimated to be internally displaced, with many fleeing to shelters that lack basic resources, 181,700 IDPs have been hosted in shelters while the rest either reside with family members or have found rented spaces.
  • Health: Hospitals and clinics report that they are operating at full capacity, with a 60% shortage in essential medical supplies. Over 20% of displaced families have at least one member requiring urgent medical care.
  • Loss of life: Over 1,530 have been reported dead since the 16th of September bringing the total toll from the 7th of October 2023 to 2,119 people reported dead. Amongst them more than 127 children and 261  women, 77 health workers. 10, 019 have been wounded. All within a few days. These numbers do not include the bombardment of buildings in Beirut on the night of the 9th of Oct as authorities have no count yet and the numbers keep on rising. Many bodies remain under rubble, and numerous people are still missing.  
  • Shelter: The 990+ newly opened shelters urgently require resources to support displaced families such as food, mattresses, pillows, blankets, electricity, and fuel.
  • Protection: Reports show that up to 50% of displaced children are showing signs of trauma, and women are increasingly vulnerable to gender-based violence.

A Call for Global Solidarity

We call on the international community to act now. Lebanon cannot bear the burden of this crisis alone. All of Lebanon is affected. A cessation of hostilities and a protection of civilians is essential and more urgent than ever. The humanitarian response must be scaled up to provide urgent assistance, restore dignity, and protect lives. 

We stand united in our commitment to uphold human dignity and human rights, and we call on all states and civil society to join us.

Download the full statement here

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