Written by Socorro Maminta, Gender Technical Specialist, World Vision Canada
Violence against women and girls is a persistent, pervasive and dehumanizing issue that impacts one in three women globally. It manifests in various forms, including domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and harmful practices. The impact of such violence ripples through communities, blocking progress and perpetuating cycles of inequality and injustice. It is crucial to combat gender-based violence (GBV) from the global to the local level through multifaceted and relentless actions.
The Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) forum, the world’s largest research conference featuring innovative research and development initiatives in various contexts worldwide, is one of the key global initiatives focused on violence against women, violence against children and other forms of violence-driven by gender inequality in low—and middle-income countries. SVRI provides a vibrant, informative and safe space for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, donors and survivors to share and learn about new research, developments and innovations.
At World Vision, we are dedicated to creating sustainable, impactful interventions that address the root causes of GBV. Inspired by our recent participation in the 2024 SVRI forum held in October in Cape Town, South Africa, we remain steadfast in our commitment to catalyzing lasting change in the communities we serve through innovative solutions to GBV.
Through strategies like MenCare groups, the RESILIENT-WE project in Ethiopia is engaging men and boys on important gender issues and changing the norms surrounding gender-based violence.
This commitment is exemplified through one of our projects, “Reducing Environmental Shocks, Improving Livelihoods and Inspiring Empowered Innovative and Thriving Women of Ethiopia (RESILIENT-WE),” a 5-year gender-transformative, women-focused and human rights-centred initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada. It is reaching over two million women and men to tackle gender inequality, combat GBV, empower women and strengthen their resilience to the impacts of climate change, economic shocks and environmental stresses in Ethiopia.
Central to the project’s anti-GBV efforts are providing enhanced survivor support through innovative and gender-transformative interventions, including technology-based reporting, case management and referral systems in partnership with the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Association and Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association. For example, mobile phones with dedicated local phone numbers allow survivors to access immediate assistance. It also includes recruiting volunteer GBV case managers in each target community who are known and trusted by community members and provide vital support in reporting, case management and referrals to services for survivors.
The project’s multi-pronged approach combines successful and proven interventions such as engaging men and boys, working with faith leaders and faith communities and implementing community change processes. An essential component of the comprehensive approach is consistency in developing and disseminating messaging on gender equality, harmful practices and human rights. This enhances community awareness and creates an enabling environment for GBV prevention and response.
Despite the ongoing challenges of systemic and harmful GBV practices, women and girls participating in the RESILIENT-WE project are finding hope through the initiatives and support it provides.
Strengthening community awareness on gender equality, human rights and harmful practices is crucial for preventing gender-based violence and creating spaces where families can thrive.
Fatuma’s story
Fatuma shared how the project helped her survive an otherwise difficult phase of her family life. After participating in a Channels of Hope training, she shared, “I am very happy and inspired. Before the training, my husband mistreated me and neglected household chores, leaving all the responsibilities to me. Often, I had to make my daughter miss school to help, which affected her education. We were not happy with our marriage. Thanks to the RESILIENT-WE project, I joined the Congregational Hope Action Team group, and my husband joined the MenCare group. Since participating in the training and dialogue sessions, he has meaningfully shared all household duties with me.”
She continued, “I married at 13 and suffered from fistula, facing many challenges. The project helped me reflect on my difficult life. With the knowledge I gained, I saved my daughter from early marriage even though she was asked for marriage at age 12. I am now actively working to end early marriage and eliminate discriminatory gender norms in our community.”
The SVRI Forum and RESILIENT-WE project highlight the power of innovative, collaborative solutions in the fight against gender-based violence. While challenges persist, stories like Fatuma’s inspire hope and prove that change is possible. Her journey demonstrates the profound impact we can make when we challenge the status quo and reimagine how we address gender-based violence. Through shared knowledge, strategic partnerships and comprehensive approaches, we are taking concrete steps toward a world where violence no longer defines the lives of women and girls.