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Preventing VAWG requires addressing multiple risk factors rooted in unequal power dynamics. Organisations working on VAWG prevention therefore need to take deliberate actions to build solid prevention programming. Organisational readiness means strengthening systems and structures across the organisation and building staff technical skills and practices to design and deliver ethical and effective prevention programming. In doing so, organisations should reflect on their values alignment, funding, staffing and organisational culture. When designing programmes, it is important to develop a clear…

Prevention interventions that have been shown to work on a pilot or small-scale basis can be scaled up in different ways. These can be expanded by adding more beneficiaries, adapting and replicating in another geographic location, or expanding the same intervention over a wider geographic area. Approaches can also be extended by deepening impacts by adding additional elements (e.g. combining a community social norms approach with a schools-based prevention approach), involving new organisations, or influencing political interests. Interventions that are being scaled up in a new setting need to…

In contexts where VAWG is normalised, recognising it as a social problem is one of the first steps towards changing mindsets, norms, attitudes and behaviours. Creating an enabling environment for ending VAWG, strengthening institutional capacity on prevention, and building community-wide responses to VAWG, can have a preventive effect in the long run. Substantial change occurs when communities and leaders see it as their responsibility to intervene in cases of VAWG and declare abusive behaviour towards women unacceptable. According to the RESPECT Framework, key elements of strengthening the…

To prevent VAWG, it’s important to have a deep understanding of the causes, dynamics and consequences of violence. Identifying and understanding the underlying causes and risk factors which promote violence can help design and inform prevention work. Similarly, understanding the protective factors which reduce the likelihood of violence occurring can help prevent VAWG. Prevention work needs to occur at all levels of the socio-ecological model - and across all the settings where people live, work, learn and socialise - in order to be effective. Good outcomes cannot be sustained when people move…

Women’s movements and women's rights organisations (WROs) play a specific and vital role in prevention work. Firstly, they play an important role in catalysing, driving and sustaining shifts in social norms. By working with local WROs on prevention efforts, these changes can be owned by local communities and can support sustainable, long-term behaviour change. Secondly, WROs have developed a range of innovative prevention strategies and programmes, such as SASA! developed by Raising Voices in Uganda, which reduced the prevalence of VAWG. Thirdly, they are well-positioned to inform and lead…

Evidence shows that VAWG is preventable. The core drivers of VAWG are socially determined, which means they can change. Research and evidence-based prevention strategies have shown substantial reduction in levels of violence, even after only a few years of implementation. Well-designed prevention programmes can shift norms, systems and behaviours that drive violence at different levels of the ‘social ecology’ (within personal and peer relationships, groups and communities, organisations and institutions, or society as a whole). Read more about understanding the drivers of VAWG.

Some…

VAWG programmes should monitor and respond to instances of backlash. It is essential that participants who experience backlash, especially backlash that is violent or threatening and including technology-facilitated GBV, are able to access support such as safe spaces, security, referral systems and access to the resources needed to recover. Programmes should work with implementing partners to establish clear and culturally appropriate reporting mechanisms and referral mechanisms for participants who experience backlash. See the page on how to strengthen referral mechanisms.

Programmes can be more effective and reduce the risk of backlash when they are designed to be culturally sensitive and appropriate. EVAWG efforts often involve challenging local norms, beliefs and customs; however, it is important that they do so respectfully. It is important for initiatives to be led and facilitated by local people, with a strong understanding of cultural norms and traditions. This can help address the risk of EVAWG initiatives being perceived as being imposed from outside as opposed to being community-supported and led.

VAWG programmes can improve buy-in across communities by establishing local partnerships with respected institutions and opinion leaders, who are able to help reduce the risk of backlash and resistance. For example, initiatives might partner with local faith leaders, celebrities, men and boys, as well as non-traditional actors as champions of change, to encourage support for the programme. In addition, initiatives could partner with media outlets and conduct community dialogues to share positive messages around EVAWG and reduce the potential impact of false information that may be circulated. …

EVAWG efforts can generate greater support by engaging in open dialogue to hear the concerns and perspectives of those who may disagree with the programme. Listening to these perspectives is key to understanding the challenges faced, provides an opportunity to address misconceptions about ending VAWG, and helps raise awareness about the importance of doing so. Open listenings sessions and dialogues should be facilitated at all levels, including within communities, at the State level, within institutions, and among civil society actors.

These open dialogues may be most effective if…