Driving Global Action and Investment for GBV Prevention: The Accelerator x EQI

The Accelerator for GBV Prevention is a collective effort to secure more and better funding, policy, and programming for the prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG). EQI has been a strategic partner since its inception — serving as Strategic Communications lead, an Advisory Group member, and a key contributor to the Shared Advocacy Agenda, the What Counts? report, and global advocacy campaigns. Together, we are working to build a coordinated, evidence-driven movement that drives systemic investment and change. 

The Challenge

Globally, violence against women and girls remains widespread, with prevention chronically underfunded. Research conducted for the What Counts? report revealed that from 2018–2023, donors invested an average of USD $410 million annually in GBV prevention — only 0.2% of total overseas development assistance. This level of investment falls far short of what is required to deliver large-scale, high-quality, evidence-based prevention programs. Without a coordinated advocacy effort, prevention will continue to be sidelined in policy and funding priorities. 

The Solution

The Shared Advocacy Agenda — co-created by the Accelerator, EQI, and partners — sets a common call to action for the GBV prevention field: 

• Secure at least USD $500 million in new, direct investment in evidence-based prevention programs and policies in low- and middle-income countries by 2026. 
• Ensure 50% of all national governments commit funded policy and program measures for GBV prevention by 2026. 

EQI’s contributions have included: 

• Providing strategic and creative communications leadership. 
• Developing content and web infrastructure for the Accelerator. 
• Co-authoring, designing and promoting the What Counts? report. 
• Delivering targeted advocacy campaigns, including a global push during the 16 Days of Activism in 2023 and 2024. 
• Advising new Accelerator leadership on partnerships, measurement, and strategy. 
• Leading the ‘Strategic Communications’ pillar for the movement. 

We have also been active in shaping global strategy at key convenings – from Wilton Park (2019 & 2023) to The Hague (2024) – aligning governments, donors, and advocates on shared priorities for scaling prevention. 

The Impact

• The report was launched at the UN Secretary General’s high-level 16 Days UNITE event at the UN in New York to an in person and online audience of +7000. 
• What Counts? findings gained high-profile attention from the UN, UN Women, and global media outlets including ReliefWeb, UN Africa Renewal, and The New Humanitarian. 
• The UN Women Statement and Call to Action explicitly referenced the research, thereby enhancing its impact. Additionally, these findings have informed the development of the ACT programme, and the report is cited on multiple occasions within the ACT Shared Global Advocacy Agenda’s messaging and recommendations. 
• The Accelerator’s digital presence is live and growing, with EQI-developed content driving engagement. 
• The 16 Days of Activism campaign significantly outperformed engagement benchmarks and mobilised new advocates. 
• The Hague convening set the stage for a more coordinated prevention ecosystem, with EQI leading strategic communications for next steps. 

“Our partnership is rooted in shared feminist values and the conviction that together we can drive change. We are united in building stronger, smarter advocacy on GBV prevention, mobilising organisations, donors, and governments around this urgent agenda. With creativity and courage, we carve out non-traditional spaces that centre women’s rights organisations and feminist leaders — from What Counts to the Feminist Futures Festival. EQI connects the dots across the GBV ecosystem, convening allies and amplifying voices to prevent silos and spark solidarity. They bring openness, innovation, expertise and influence — and with them, we are building the collective power needed for transformative change.”  – Bettina Baldeschi, Executive Director, The Accelerator

Through research, advocacy, and global coalition building, EQI and the Accelerator are creating the momentum and shared strategy needed to secure long-term, large-scale investment in GBV prevention and to put evidence-based, feminist-informed solutions at the centre of global action.

Visit the Accelerator site.