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Before engaging with the national government to develop a national EVAWG plan or policy, it is useful to conduct a brief analysis to assess the national context, political and practical support for a plan. The Handbook on Multisectoral National Action Plans to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls notes that this analysis does not need to be lengthy and can be based on a desk review of the evidence and meeting key stakeholders. Some key areas to explore include:

Data on the extent, prevalence, risk factors and impacts of VAWG
Resources and capacity available to develop and implement a…

There are several global and regional initiatives and key dates throughout the year which can provide a platform for campaigning and advocacy for the implementation of global and regional commitments. Aligning with these initiatives can amplify and strategically position programme messages within a wider, recognised framework of international efforts to address violence against women and girls. Key dates include:

February 6 – International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
March 6 – International Women’s Day
June 19 – International Day for the Elimination of Sexual…

Even though many states are signatories to global and regional frameworks, there are often significant gaps in integrating the provisions into national legislation and implementing that legislation. There are therefore a number of mechanisms and actors working to support implementation. At a global level, the international community has an obligation to monitor the implementation of conventions and to step in when member states are unable or unwilling to protect their citizens and uphold their rights. For example, the Platform of Independent Expert Mechanisms on the Elimination of…

In addition to these international and regional frameworks which are focused more generally on violence against women and girls, it is also useful to understand relevant frameworks that address specific forms of violence.

For example, if a programme focuses on violence in the workplace, it is important to have a good understanding of the International Labour Organization’s Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190) and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 206).

Likewise, programming on violence against women migrant workers could explore the relevant frameworks on labour migration…

International and regional frameworks establish norms, guidelines and legal obligations for countries to protect women and girls from violence. By understanding the frameworks focused on gender equality and ending VAWG, programmes can understand which frameworks a country is signatory to, analyse the degree of alignment as well as analyse gaps in national laws, policies and practices that may need advocacy efforts. Read more on how to analyse the national policy, legal and institutional environment.

Some of the most significant international frameworks that increase the protection standards…

Safeguarding processes must be established for any participating children, young girls or adolescents under 18 years old to protect them from any potential harm, including sexual exploitation, abuse, or sexual harassment (SEAH) during the data collection process. In many cases, this may include obtaining consent from a parent/carer/guardian/responsible adult (verbal or written agreement for the child to participate in research or M&E) on their behalf – although there may be circumstances where this is not appropriate or safe. Children must also be given the opportunity to provide age…

Research on individual GBV experiences should only be conducted by trained research staff or partners who specialise in GBV to ensure the wellbeing of participants especially as women and girls may feel vulnerable while disclosing difficult and painful experiences. All data collection teams should be carefully selected, include female members, and receive relevant and sufficient specialised training. Training on research methods and tools, ethical principles, privacy, confidentiality, informed consent, safeguarding measures, and direct support to respond to disclosures made by participants…

When conducting research about VAWG, there is always a risk that a research participant might suffer distress when discussing their or others’ experiences of violence. Participants may also ask for further support. It is, therefore, the researchers’ ethical obligation to provide information about services available to all research participants regardless of whether they report experiencing violence. Before undertaking data collection, research teams need to map locally available referral services providing basic care (physical and psychosocial), support and information (formal and/or informal)…

Ethical approval is not required for routine data collection activities such as gender analysis or collecting programme monitoring data that does not involve personal information. However, research that asks survivors or at-risk populations about their experiences of violence or other sensitive information - through focus groups, key informant interviews, or even anonymised quantitative surveys that gather data on GBV experiences and attitudes - will typically need to obtain ethical clearance from the appropriate Institutional Review Boards (IRBs).

IRBs review the risks associated with the…

The WHO guidelines state that researchers have an ethical responsibility to ensure scientific soundness and appropriateness to the context and population.

In the case of research to measure the prevalence, causes and consequences of a specific type of VAWG, this will involve selecting an appropriate sample size and, usually, using complementary qualitative data collection to help interpret results.  
In terms of intervention research and evaluation, the appropriate data collection methods will depend on the maturity of the intervention (e.g. is it a pilot or proven intervention) and the…