The Hague Mothers: Voices of Resilience for the Protection of Children

No More Violence Against Women; the podcast of the WAVE Network.

In this podcast, WAVE voices are amplified to give insight on topics such as sexualised violence, online violence, femicides, violence against women with disabilities, youth activism, important legislation such as the Istanbul Convention, and more to highlight the different forms and dimensions of violence against women and girls.

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions and personal stories involving child abuse and domestic violence.

In this episode, WAVE is joined by Ruth Dineen and Kim Fawcett from the Hague Mothers Project, who provide valuable insights into the often-overlooked consequences of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. While the Convention was initially designed to ensure the swift return of wrongfully removed children and uphold custody rights, it can fail to consider the complexities of domestic abuse, placing many mothers and children in vulnerable situations. Drawing on their professional expertise and personal experiences, Ruth and Kim shed light on how the Convention’s application can compromise safety, and underscore the resilience and advocacy efforts of the Hague Mothers to protect children and mothers worldwide.

Tune in to hear their powerful stories and learn more about advocating for judicial practices that prioritise true child protection and the rights of mothers.

About: Hague Mothers is a legacy project of FiLiA, a women-led volunteer organisation in the UK and a recent member of WAVE. The overarching aim is to end the injustices created by The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, specifically for mothers and children who are victims of domestic abuse. Initially focusing on the UK, USA, and Australia, Hague Mothers has expanded their work globally.

Ruth Dineen: Coordinator of the Hague Mothers project

Kim Fawcett: Lecturer in Private Law, Brunel University London; Member of the FiLiA Hague Mothers U.K. Steering Group (@KimFawcett11 on Twitter/X)

Links:

created and developed by Ruth Dineen, Kim Fawcett and Branislava Arađan

produced and edited by Branislava Arađan, WAVE Project and Youth Ambassador Coordinator & Beverly Mtui, WAVE Communications Coordinator

WAVE Network: Website, Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or opinion/position of Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE).