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Diverse opinions and priorities can lead to tensions within coalitions of organisations. In addition, power dynamics exist within any group and, if not addressed, may lead to some organisations having greater influence over decisions than others. It is important for initiatives supporting EVAWG coalitions to be mindful of the potential tensions and power dynamics and put in place systems to address these. For example, this could involve rotating leadership responsibilities between organisations, introducing a system whereby organisations are asked anonymously to express any concerns they have…

During the establishment of EVAWG coalitions, programmes can support coalition partners to develop shared goals, strategies, and plans. These will differ context-to-context and must be owned and led by members to support sustainability. For example, they could consider:

Which individual/organisation will take a leadership role
How to tap into existing networks and connections that can help advance the agenda
How to develop equitable decision-making processes
The roles of each partner
The budget available for activities
How often and by what method coalition partners will…

EVAWG initiatives supporting coalitions should conduct a needs assessment at the start of their engagement to establish where support would be most beneficial. This analysis can also help identify which groups are missing from coalitions, what the barriers are to them joining a coalition, and what can be done to help dismantle these barriers. This analysis could be conducted through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, or a survey. See the how to conduct research to inform programme design page for more information about how to conduct a needs assessment.

Despite their essential role in providing VAWG response services, holding service providers, decision-makers and programmes accountable to communities, and driving social norms and policy change, WROs are acutely underfunded. They receive only around 5% of aid money committed to ending VAWG.

Programmes and donors should partner with WROs and provide long-term, flexible, and core funding directly to these organizations. This funding should support WROs to pursue the aims and objectives they have identified as priorities within their communities. It should go beyond project funding, to…

Strong and autonomous women’s rights movements are key to driving policy change to advance women’s rights and end VAWG. For example, a study of 70 countries between 1975 and 2005 concluded that a strong, autonomous women’s movement is a significant predictor of government action on violence against women and girls (VAWG). This is because these movements often engage in sustained and impassioned advocacy with politicians and decision-makers. The tireless activism of women’s rights movements and collective action, especially around key moments such as general elections, can be effective at…

In contexts with limited state provision of VAWG response services, WROs are often the first to fill gaps. They may also play a role as third-party observers and help hold service providers to account. Their engagement in service delivery can improve the quality and availability of services and thereby increase access for survivors. WROs are also often well-placed to reach communities that are otherwise excluded. For example, their networks may facilitate a wider geographical reach into rural areas, while their local knowledge may support them to engage informally with individuals who face…

Women’s movements and WROs, with their deep context-specific expertise and close connections to communities, are often pioneers of innovative approaches to ending VAWG. For example, WROs have pioneered various models and mechanisms for advancing the rights of women and survivors of VAWG and ensuring there are appropriate, survivor-centred services to meet their needs. These include women’s police stations and family courts, which are now widely adopted by security sector actors globally.

WROs have also developed innovative, evidence-based VAWG prevention programmes such as the SASA…

Being accountable to women and girls means ensuring that their needs, priorities and safety are at the centre of all programming and advocacy work. The best way to achieve this is to work and partner directly with women's organisations and movements, that are led by women and work for and with their women members.

For example, in response to the increased funding of VAWG programmes globally, and the engagement of various new actors, the Coalition of Feminists for Social Change (COFEM) worked to create the Feminist Pocketbook. This is an accessible resource aimed at helping organisations…

Women’s movements and WROs are often most directly affected by the issues they are addressing, including violence and gender inequality. They are likely to have a deep understanding of the drivers of VAWG in their communities, the risk factors faced by women, and the barriers that prevent them from accessing support services. This expertise means they are well-placed to support the design and implementation of EVAWG programmes to overcome these challenges. They are also in a strong position to advise about risks of backlash or local dynamics that a programme may need to navigate to be…

WROs are more effective in addressing VAWG when they collaborate and work together, forging a collective strength that can help withstand the anti-gender backlash they often face. For example, while WROs are engaged as programme partners across all outcome areas of Spotlight Initiative, WROs receive particular support through a dedicated outcome area in Pillar 6 on strengthening women’s movements. This involves activities such as network-building, capacity-strengthening, institutional funding, and working to amplify the influence and agency of WRO’s work on ending violence against women and…