The ICAM launches new section on gender-based violence – Iberian Lawyer

Report on the Establishment of a Gender-Based Violence Section by the Madrid Bar Association (ICAM)

Introduction: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals through Institutional Action

The Madrid Bar Association (ICAM) has announced the formation of a new Section dedicated to Gender-Based Violence. This strategic initiative represents a significant commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The Section, chaired by legal expert Lola Calderón, is designed to strengthen the legal framework and professional capacity for addressing gender-based violence, a critical target for the 2030 Agenda.

Strategic Objectives and Alignment with SDG 5: Gender Equality

The primary mission of the new Section is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, directly contributing to Target 5.2 of the SDGs. Its objectives are structured to ensure a comprehensive approach to achieving gender equality within the justice system.

• Technical and Legal Reference: To serve as an authoritative body on the legal complexities of gender-based violence, providing resources and guidance to legal professionals.
• Support for Legal Aid Practitioners: To enhance the capabilities of lawyers in the court-appointed legal aid system (Turno de Oficio), ensuring that all victims, regardless of economic status, have access to competent legal representation.
• Policy Engagement: To actively participate in legal and policy debates, advocating for robust legislative frameworks that protect victims and promote gender equality.
• Fostering Dialogue: To create a bridge between the legal profession and public protection policies, ensuring that legal practice is aligned with broader societal efforts to eradicate gender-based violence.

Enhancing Institutional Capacity: A Contribution to SDG 16 and SDG 4

The establishment of this Section directly supports SDG 16 by promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all. By focusing on specialized legal practice, ICAM is strengthening the institutional capacity to respond effectively to violence. Furthermore, the emphasis on professional development aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education).

• Promoting Access to Justice (SDG 16.3): The Section’s support for legal aid lawyers is a direct mechanism for ensuring that vulnerable populations can access justice.
• Continuous Professional Training (SDG 4.7): By promoting ongoing education for lawyers, the Section contributes to quality education focused on human rights, gender equality, and the promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence.
• Building Effective Institutions (SDG 16.6): The Section itself is an example of developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at the professional association level, dedicated to a key societal challenge.

Leadership and Multidisciplinary Collaboration: A Model for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The structure of the Section’s leadership embodies the collaborative spirit of SDG 17, which calls for multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

Chairmanship

Lola Calderón, a lawyer with over two decades of experience in criminal law, family law, and gender violence, will lead the Section. Her extensive background in both practice and academia provides the expert leadership necessary to guide this initiative.

Multidisciplinary Advisory Board

A key strength of the Section is its multidisciplinary advisory board, which brings together experts from diverse fields to create a holistic and integrated strategy. This partnership model is essential for addressing the complex, multi-faceted nature of gender-based violence. The members include:

1. Gema Cornejo: Lawyer specializing in family and gender violence, and criminologist.
2. Antonio Abellán: Criminal lawyer and ICAM lecturer.
3. Eva Papadopulos: Legal aid attorney.
4. Natalia Tejera: Expert in criminal family law and legal educator.
5. Carmen Armendáriz: Professor of Criminal Law and Director of the Equality Unit at UCM.
6. Ana Isabel Gutiérrez Salegui: Forensic psychologist and specialist in gender-based violence.

Conclusion: Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development

The creation of the Gender-Based Violence Section, one of over 50 specialized sections within ICAM, solidifies the association’s role as a leader in legal specialization and social responsibility. This initiative is a clear and actionable demonstration of how professional legal bodies can institutionalize their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, creating lasting structures to promote justice, equality, and strong institutions for a more sustainable future.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses the creation of a new section by the Madrid Bar Association (ICAM) to tackle gender-based violence. This initiative directly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on gender equality, justice, and education.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The creation of a “Section dedicated to Gender-Based Violence” is a direct institutional response to achieve gender equality by combating violence against women and strengthening legal frameworks for their protection.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article highlights the role of the legal profession in addressing a major social issue. By creating a specialized section to support lawyers, especially those in the “court-appointed legal aid system (Turno de Oficio),” ICAM is working to ensure equal access to justice for victims and strengthening the legal institution itself to be more effective and responsive.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  A key objective of the new section is to “promote continuous professional training” for lawyers. This focus on specialized education for legal professionals on the topic of gender-based violence contributes to building the capacity and knowledge needed to uphold human rights and gender equality, aligning with the goals of quality education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the initiatives described in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The entire purpose of the “Section dedicated to Gender-Based Violence” is to provide a robust legal and technical response to this issue, directly aligning with the goal of eliminating such violence.
   • Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels. The section’s aim to “foster engagement in legal and policy debates” and “facilitate dialogue between the legal profession and public protection policies” is a direct effort to influence and strengthen policies and legislation in this area.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The section’s focus on supporting lawyers in the “court-appointed legal aid system (Turno de Oficio)” is a mechanism to improve access to justice for victims of gender-based violence, who may otherwise lack the resources for legal representation.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. By creating a specialized section, the Madrid Bar Association (ICAM) is enhancing its institutional capacity to address a specific societal need, thereby becoming a more effective and specialized institution. The multidisciplinary advisory board further strengthens its effectiveness.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality… The section’s commitment to “promote continuous professional training” for lawyers on gender violence is a form of specialized education aimed at equipping professionals with the skills to promote human rights and gender equality through the legal system.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not provide quantitative data but implies several qualitative and activity-based indicators that can measure progress:

1. For SDG 5 Targets:

   • Indicator (Implied for Target 5.2 & 5.c): The existence and operational capacity of a specialized legal body (the “Section dedicated to Gender-Based Violence”) serves as an indicator of a country’s legal framework to eliminate violence against women (related to official indicator 5.c.1). The number of policy debates engaged in or policy recommendations produced by the section would be a direct measure of its activity.

2. For SDG 16 Targets:

   • Indicator (Implied for Target 16.3): The number of lawyers trained and supported through the section who serve in the “court-appointed legal aid system (Turno de Oficio)” can be used as a proxy indicator for improved access to justice for victims of gender-based violence.
   • Indicator (Implied for Target 16.6): The establishment of the section itself, with its defined leadership (Lola Calderón) and a “multidisciplinary advisory board,” is an indicator of institutional development and specialization at ICAM.

3. For SDG 4 Target:

   • Indicator (Implied for Target 4.7): The number and scope of “continuous professional training” programs developed and delivered by the new section. The number of lawyers participating in these training sessions would be a direct measure of progress in educating legal professionals on gender equality and human rights.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators’ to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: iberianlawyer.com