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In many contexts, there is a hybrid legal system or coexistence of state law and traditional or religious laws. In some cases, there is clarity about the jurisdiction of these different systems, but, in other cases, this is less clear or not implemented in practice. There can also be significant difference between the content of state laws and traditional or religious laws, especially regarding the protection and rights of women and girls. It is important to analyse these realities and also look at women and girls’ preferences for accessing justice. Even though, on paper, state laws may offer…

If programmes are working at the sub-national level, it is important to identify any enablers or barriers that may impact VAWG programming in those particular states, regions or districts. For example, there may be a national law that criminalises intimate partner violence, but within a particular region, the knowledge or implementation of this law may be limited. In some contexts, there are also local by-laws which may be more or less progressive than national legislation. Equally, there may be strong anti-equality sentiment at the national level, but within a particular state, local…

Identify which laws and policies already exist to protect women and girls from VAWG and hold perpetrators to account, along with gaps that need to be addressed. Consider how these laws impact on different populations of women and girls at risk and survivors of violence. For example, if homosexuality is illegal, this would put survivors with diverse sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities, at risk of arrest if they seek support, posing a substantial barrier to them accessing mainstream services. Ensure your analysis looks at wider laws which impact gender equality and women and…

A robust analysis will include an identification of key decision-makers across the executive and legislative parts of government, their interests and commitments and the likelihood of them supporting or blocking positive changes in laws and policies. Consider, for example, which government ministers have a history of voting in favour of laws to protect and promote women’s rights. These may be allies who are more sympathetic to work to end VAWG. Equally, be aware of decision-makers that may be resistant and consider how to protect your efforts from their potential influence. Finally, it is also…

The most appropriate methods for gathering data for an analysis of the national policy, legal and institutional environment will vary depending on how much information is already publicly available and the specific political environment. In some contexts, there may be plenty of official information - including texts of laws and policies, parliamentary records, budgetary reports and implementation reports - available online. There may also be reports and analysis from civil society and/or research organisations on the political context, the state of legislative reform and institutional…

A growing body of evidence has shown that combining microfinance with additional social empowerment interventions and a gender transformative approach can prevent VAWG and reduce Gender-Based Violence. For instance:

Intervention with Microfinance for AIDS and Gender Equity (IMAGE) programme in South Africa: The intervention combined microfinance, participatory gender and HIV awareness education. IMAGE found a 55% reduction in sexual and/or physical violence by an intimate partner or relative among participants.
MAISHA in Tanzania: Assessed whether implementing a combined microfinance and…

To ensure programme design, adaptation, implementation and scale-up of social empowerment interventions is most effective, it’s important to draw on promising practice and common elements of successful approaches relevant across humanitarian and development contexts, and in community or institutional settings (i.e. schools, workplaces), including: 

Designing programmes with sufficient time and resources: The most effective programmes include at least 10 to 12 social empowerment sessions and encourage and support additional activities by participants after the empowerment sessions…

Social empowerment interventions are considered gender transformative when they go beyond mere gender sensitivity or awareness-raising and actively work to transform existing gender norms, roles, and power dynamics within society. A gender transformative approach entails a deeper and more systemic approach to addressing gender inequalities. For example, where social empowerment interventions encourage individuals to critically reflect on their own attitudes and behaviours related to gender, and how to tackle the root causes of inequality, this aligns with a gender transformative approach.

Social empowerment interventions include efforts to build women’s vocational and life skills; address barriers to social, political and economic inclusion; and build social networks and collective agency. As a result, there are a range of strategies which aim to build individual, group and collective power of women to challenge inequality and subordination across contexts (i.e. in relationships, families and communities). Effectively coordinating multiple strategies can increase the likelihood of wider social proliferation of behaviour and norms change across contexts. Some examples of…

When considering the application of a successful prevention approach or model from another context, it's important to tailor that programme to the specific setting and target population(s), and within the context of existing prevention work. This adaptation process involves modifying the design or implementation of the approach to fit the context and strengthen existing work, while ensuring key elements that contributed to its success are retained, a process which typically spans 9 to 12 months. Investing resources in this process is crucial to avoid the risks associated with ineffective…