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Identifying and encouraging champions among parliamentarians and support staff can help progress legislative action and policy. This can be done through public acknowledgement, media highlights, or simply providing them with necessary resources to further amplify their impact. An interesting example is the Voices for Change programme in Nigeria, which reinstated a ‘Gender Technical Unit’ (an internal resource centre within the National Assembly). The involvement of the support staff and clerks in this unit was said to be ‘invaluable’ in passing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill…

Engaging with women parliamentarians and women’s caucuses can help ensure that legislative bodies are better equipped to understand, formulate and implement policies on VAWG. It can also encourage collaboration across party lines and chambers on VAWG issues. An example of such an initiative under Spotlight Initiative is the formation of the women’s parliamentary caucus in Jamaica. This caucus aims to be a unifying platform for all women parliamentarians, irrespective of their political affiliation or legislative chambers. Its core purpose is to facilitate networking, foster meaningful dialogue…

Sharing the latest research and data regarding the prevalence and impact of violence can provide the evidence needed to drive action. For some parliamentarians, data on the economic costs of VAWG can be particularly persuasive in making the case for investing in prevention and support programmes, as well as the value of dedicated resources. Examples of best practices in VAWG programming can also guide parliamentarians towards evidence-based strategies that are proven to work. Remember to share evidence in ways that are digestible for busy parliamentarians.

Parliamentarians and their staff can benefit from specialised training and/or workshops on a variety of topics related to VAWG. For example, understanding the legal frameworks at national, regional and international levels can help when creating new laws or amending existing laws. Equipping parliamentarians with training in gender-responsive budgeting can also enable them to allocate national budget allocations effectively to crucial VAWG initiatives. For example, 14 Spotlight Initiative countries have seen a ten-fold increase in national budget allocations by working with national partners…

Sharing real-life examples and testimonies that illustrate the impact of VAWG on the electorate can help parliamentarians to personally engage with the issues. Parliamentarians are often more likely to act when they see the urgency for legislative action and can relate to their constituents’ experiences. However, it is important to handle these narratives with sensitivity. Care should be taken to support survivors’ well-being and avoid re-traumatising them. An example of the effectiveness of personal testimonies is the experience of a grassroots movement of women in Senegal who supported each…

Engaging with parliamentarians from different political parties and committees and those who hold various roles, such as legislative leaders or members of women’s caucuses, can help ensure that the work remains bipartisan or multi-partisan and resilient to political changes. During political transitions, it is particularly important to build relationships with a diverse range of parliamentarians and be proactive in reaching out to newly elected officials. It is also a time to reaffirm connections with returning parliamentarians and reinforce the ongoing importance of work around VAWG. As…

Strengthening relations between parliamentarians and civil society organisations, particularly women’s rights organisations, can help to enhance advocacy and action on VAWG. These relationships thrive on a foundation of trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to addressing VAWG. Regular meetings, briefings, and sharing of useful materials can help to establish a deeper understanding of the issues. Sometimes it is useful to think about these relationships beyond influencing current policy and work to establish a foundation of meaningful dialogue and collaboration around VAWG.

Effective implementation of a national EVAWG plan or policy requires strong institutions with clearly defined roles and well-trained personnel, as well as institutional mechanisms to ensure a coherent and sustainable multi-sectoral approach. Strengthening the capacity of institutions involves investing in capacity building for decision-makers, from government ministries to health providers, police, legal professionals and educators. Read more on how to engage with sectoral ministries to end VAWG.

The Handbook for National Action Plans on Violence against Women recommends that plans provide for regular and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of progress towards implementing the plan, including the following elements:

Indicators and targets that are closely linked to the goals and objectives of the plan. Read more on developing indicators to measure change.
An institutional mechanism to monitor implementation – these can take different forms and may be located in Government, in existing statutory authorities, or as independent organisations.
Meaningful participation of civil…

For a National Action Plan on EVAWG to be effective, it requires ongoing resources for implementation of strategies and activities. Securing and allocating adequate funding involves estimating the costs associated with each component of the plan and identifying sustainable funding sources. This may require seeking additional funds from national budgets and exploring partnerships with international donors and private sector entities. Transparent and accountable financial management practices are also essential to maintain trust among stakeholders that funds are being used effectively to achieve…