Tentative Program Overview

Tentative Program for The International Summit on Ending Gender-Based Violence 2026

Theme: From Global Commitments to Local Action

Dates: Day 1 & Day 2

Location: Hilton Toronto, Canada

Welcome Message

Gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide. Despite global commitments, survivors continue to face systemic barriers to safety, justice, and healing.

The International Summit on Ending Gender-Based Violence will brings together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, advocates, and community leaders from across the world to strengthen survivor-centered responses, advance prevention, and build accountable systems that end violence in all its forms.

This Summit is designed as a policy-to-practice convening, creating space for dialogue, learning, skill-building, and concrete commitments to action.

DAY 1 – Global Context, Systems & Accountability

Focus: Understanding GBV as a global issue, strengthening institutional accountability, and centering survivor dignity within systems.

Opening Ceremony & Global Keynote

9:00 – 10:15 AM

Session Overview

The Opening Ceremony sets the tone for the Summit by situating gender-based violence within global human rights, public health, and development frameworks.

Key Themes

  • GBV as a global human rights crisis
  • Economic and social costs of inaction
  • The urgency of coordinated global responses

Global & National Policy Panels

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Session Overview

This panel examines how international commitments translate into national laws, policies, and implementation — and where gaps persist.

Key Topics

  • International conventions and national GBV strategies
  • Policy implementation challenges
  • Funding, enforcement, and accountability
  • GBV in contexts of migration, conflict, and inequality

Survivor-Centered Practice Sessions

1:00 – 2:30 PM

Session Overview

This session focuses on ethical, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered approaches to service delivery and systems design.

Key Topics

  • Trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice
  • Survivor autonomy and choice
  • Ethical engagement and confidentiality
  • Survivor leadership in program design

Justice, Policing & Institutional Accountability Panels

2:45 – 4:15 PM

Session Overview

This panel critically examines justice system responses to GBV and explores models for accountability and reform.

Key Topics

  • Police and court responses to GBV
  • Barriers to reporting and prosecution
  • Institutional bias and survivor trust
  • Legal reform and oversight mechanisms

Networking Reception

4:30 – 6:00 PM

An opportunity for participants to connect, share experiences, and build cross-sector partnerships in an informal setting.

DAY 2 – Prevention, Practice & Pathways Forward

Focus: Prevention strategies, education, applied learning, and collective action.

Prevention & Education Plenary

9:00 – 10:15 AM

Session Overview

This plenary highlights, prevention as a critical pillar in ending gender-based violence.

Key Topics

  • Primary prevention approaches
  • Education across the lifespan
  • Community-led prevention strategies
  • Addressing root causes of violence

Men, Boys & Masculinities Panels

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Session Overview

This panel explores the role of men and boys in preventing GBV while maintaining survivor-centered accountability.

Key Topics

  • Socialization and masculinity
  • Accountability and allyship
  • Community-based engagement models
  • Effective prevention programs

Research-to-Practice Sessions

1:00 – 2:30 PM

Session Overview

Bridging research, lived experience, and frontline practice.

Key Topics

  • Evidence-based interventions
  • Translating research into policy and programs
  • Monitoring, evaluation, and learning
  • Ethical and survivor-informed research

Workshops & Skill-Building Labs

2:45 – 4:15 PM

Session Overview

Interactive, practice-focused sessions designed to provide participants with tools they can apply immediately.

Workshop Themes May Include

  • Trauma-informed facilitation
  • Organizational GBV policies
  • Community education program design
  • Advocacy and systems change strategies
  • Data, ethics, and evaluation

 

Closing Plenary – Commitments to Action

4:30 – 5:30 PM

Session Overview

The Summit concludes by moving from dialogue to action.

Key Components

  • Reflections from key speakers
  • Summary of key insights
  • Participant commitments to action
  • Call for continued collaboration

Summit Outcomes

Participants will:

  • Deepen understanding of GBV as a global and local issue
  • Strengthen cross-sector collaboration
  • Gain practical tools for prevention and response
  • Leave with clear commitments to action

Registration Fees

  1. International Delegates- Early Bird Registration (Ends on 27th March 2026 at 7:00am) – CA$ 380
  2. International Delegates- Regular Registration (Starts on 27th March 2026 at 7:00am) – CA$ 420
  3. Canadian Delegates- Early Bird Registration (Ends on 27th March 2026 at 7:00am) – CA$ 350
  4. Canadian Delegates- Regular Registration (Starts on 27th March 2026 at 7:00am) – CA$400
  5. Partnerships- NGOs -CA $ 3,000
  6. Partnerships- Government -CA $ 4,000
  7. Partnerships- Business and Private Sector -CA$ 2,000
  8. International Exhibitors: CA $ 700
  9. Canadian Exhibitors: CA $ 500
  10. Survivors of GBV – CA $380