On April 28th 2026, an open event at Umeå People´s House on women and freedom from violence was carried out due to the indisputable need to create change, to stop and prevent violence against women and girls, and to support victims of violence.

The event was introduced by Ingvar Rönnbäck, Founder and Chair of the Board of Another Development Foundation who quoted the american actress Angelina Jolie who said the following at the African Union Summit in Johannesburg June 12th 2025:

“There is a global epidemic of violence against women – both within conflict zones and within societies at peace – and it is still treated as a lesser crime and lower priority.”

The member of the panel who contributed with insights, perspectives, experiences on and motivations for women´s, girls and childrens rights to freedom from violence were:

Ellinor Ädelroth, Professor Emerita and Doctor, with extensive experience of working in the Democratic Republic of Kongo at the Panzi Hospital together with Prof. Denis Mukwege and his staff. Ellinor is also member of the ADF Advisory Board.

Elin Liss, Project Manager at Women´s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).

Meghan Donevant, Research Director at Talita, President of the Coalition for the Abolition of Prostitution International (CAP International) and Member of the Board of Another Development Foundation.

Trine Munkvold, Project Coordinator for the project Stella at the Red Cross in Umeå.

Jafar Nazari, Integration Strategist at the Red Cross in Umeå with roots in Afghanistan.

The conversation was moderated by Mikaela Saedén, Masters student at Umeå University and internship at ADF and Bilda. Mikaela is focused on peace- and development studies and with a long engagement for women´s rights and to stop gender-based violence.

The dialogue concentrated on:

  • Violence against women, girls and children in various contexts and from a multi-dimensional analysis
  • Measures, methods and models on how to support victims of violence, and on how to work with advocacy in order to push for change on a structural, legal and normative level
  • Hope, due to the need of mobilizing people, movements and organizations in order for freedom from violence to be taken as seriously as it need to be

The organizers where: Another Development Foundation, the Study Association Bilda, Friend in Umeå, People´s University, the meeting point Nonviolence who is a network of organizations who are organizing an annual forum on and for nonviolence, as well as other activities. Besides of ADF and Bilda, this meeting point is organized by WILP, Swedish Fellowship of Reconcilliation, Härnösands People´s High School, Department of Political Science and Centre for Sami Research (Vardduo), Umeå University, Umeå Sami Association (Såhkie) and the study association Studiefrämjandet as well as other partners.

ADF is truly greatful for all contributions by the panelists and for the partership with all organizations who made this event possible. A special thanks to Kristoffer Fredriksson, Bilda who has been instrumental for the success of this event, and for his wise contributions in the planning for this event.