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The data gathered during the service mapping can be used to help inform both the design of a new service or programme and also to support programmes to develop clear referral pathways. Clear referral pathways will help new programmes or services connect survivors to other services that they may need access to. The following is an example of the type of information a programme might want to collect in order to support them to refer survivors to other services.

Organisation name
Focal point
Contact details
Services available
Hours of operation
Any requirements or…

Deciding which questions to include in a mapping will depend on your context, resources, and scope of programme. Some key questions to consider include but are not limited to:

What types of services currently exist? How many of each?
Who are the actors proving services (government? CSOs?)
Are these services accessible to everyone, including people living in vulnerable situations?
What are the specific context barriers to accessing these services?
What is the quality of the services provided?
Do these services take a survivor-centred approach to delivery?
Is an integrated…

There are a range of ways to identify existing VAWG response services during a service mapping process. Which method/methods are most effective will depend on your context and available resources. Ensure that you actively seek out the experiences of diverse survivors such as survivors with disabilities, LBT survivors, refugee survivors and survivors from persecuted ethnicities during your mapping. Without considering the availability of services for diverse survivors, your mapping of services will be incomplete. Some approaches to gathering information include:

Conducting an online search…

Supporting survivors of VAWG to recover from violence requires a holistic approach that ensures their access to a broad range of services. Mapping should consider as many services as possible to help identify gaps in provision and opportunities for new programmes to link to existing services. Services to consider include, but are not limited, to: 

Health Services, including: hospitals, health clinics (public and private), mobile clinics, sexual and reproductive health clinics, school health clinics
Police, courts and legal services, including: specialist police units for women and…

An innovative way to increase the effectiveness of partner selection is to invite CSOs and WROs as participants or observers in review panels. Spotlight Initiative recommends inviting Civil Society Reference Group (CRSG) members to review panels to improve the panel’s understanding of the challenges of addressing VAWG and the contextual realities that partners have to deal with. When including civil society members, it is important to establish a clear code of conduct to mitigate potential conflicts of interest. Another interesting example is the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund’s regular…

Some countries have government policies or laws which restrict the implementing partners that can be contracted and the ways in which they can work. For example, there may be rules on international funding of national NGOs for advocacy work, NGO registration requirements, and restrictions on certain activities. When choosing partners, it is important to check and understand the national regulations and, if necessary, seek legal advice to ensure compliance.

When selecting consortiums, be mindful of situations where multiple layers of implementing partners are involved, such as when an INGO or private contractor engages a national NGO, which then involves smaller community-based or women’s rights organisations in project delivery. While this approach may address fiduciary requirements, it can lead to top-down, extractive approaches where smaller partners have limited opportunities to shape programme design.  

Look for consortiums that share common values, such as collaboration, accountability, respectful exchange, and feminist leadership. Other…

Consider partners who actively involve community members in their projects. Organisations that engage with communities are often more effective in understanding local power dynamics, addressing specific needs and building trust. Select partners who have a good understanding of the local cultural, social, and political context. Ensure that partners are familiar with the specific challenges and dynamics related to gender-based violence in the target area.

When selecting implementing partner(s), look for organisations that have an established record of working with women and girls, have institutional capacity to deliver and ideally have a significant local presence. While experience in violence prevention is useful, the reality is that the field is still young in many contexts, and it is not unusual for local organisations to lack expertise in areas like primary prevention. In such cases, consider selecting partners who bring a strong record in VAWG response and can work together with an organisation that can provide technical support on…

A key consideration when selecting implementing partners is whether their values and mission align with the programme's goals and are guided by feminist values. This alignment not only contributes to the effectiveness and shared vision of the programme but also reduces the risk of partners that may inadvertently perpetuate harmful gender norms or lack a gender-transformative approach. It is also essential to avoid selecting implementing partners who could compromise programme goals around inclusion, for example by discriminating against diverse women and girls. Practical suggestions here can…