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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…

Evidence shows that VAWG is preventable. The core drivers of VAWG are socially determined, which means they can change. Some prevention strategies and interventions have achieved substantial reduction in levels of violence, even after only a few years of implementation. Prevention work should therefore be informed by the evidence available locally, regionally and globally. For example, the UN's RESPECT framework outlines 7 strategies that have shown promise in reducing the prevalence of one or more types of VAWG.  WHO and UN Women have also produced a package of resources to support…

Prior to selecting or designing a prevention strategy, it is important to conduct a thorough assessment of the local context so interventions can be tailored as needed. This analysis should involve key stakeholders including civil society organisations, women and girls' rights activists, local researchers and government partners. It is important to analyse the following:

The different forms and prevalence of VAWG: What is the specific type(s) of VAWG you are seeking to prevent? How does this vary from other forms of violence? Who are the primary victims and perpetrators, and what are the…

In order to design a comprehensive and multi-component VAWG prevention strategy, it is important to build on best practice in programme design and implementation. Robust programme design ensures relevant stakeholders from a range of sectors come together and are meaningfully engaged from the earliest stages of design, including women’s movements and civil society groups already working on ending VAWG, and marginalised groups. Strong VAWG programme design also requires a mapping of existing EVAWG work, not only to avoid duplication of effort, but to grow support and strengthen resourcing for…

When designing a prevention strategy, it’s helpful to consider the lessons learned from previous prevention programming to reduce VAWG or associated risk factors. For example, a review of effective design and implementation elements in interventions to prevent violence against women and girls identified 10 key elements shown to almost always be required for success, or greater success: 

Source: Jewkes et al. (2020). Evidence brief: Effective design and implementation elements in interventions to prevent violence against women and girls. What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls…

When designing a programme that aims to change social norms, it is important to understand some of the most effective approaches for addressing norms around violence against women and girls, such as:

Develop messages that promote positive norms and behaviours, such as the important role of men as fathers, the value of consensual sex and communication in relationships or the importance of working together for the good of the family. These positive messages should be pervasive, repeated across various platforms, and offer clear, appealing alternatives.
Prompt deliberation to discuss and…

Transforming social norms at the community level requires strong organisational commitment from the implementing partners. The most effective interventions have been implemented by organisations guided by strong values, and committed to reflecting on issues like violence, discrimination, power and relationships, both in their staff and volunteers’ personal lives and within the organisational structure. To do this, staff and volunteers are carefully selected (or nominated by communities) for their gender-equitable and non-violent attitudes and behaviour, and often go through a thorough gender…

Different approaches have been tried to change social norms about VAWG, with varying levels of evidence about their effectiveness. These include:

Community mobilization approaches using community activists who are trained and supported to challenge harmful norms and attitudes. Learn more about how to mobilise communities here.
Group-based workshops with men and women to promote changes in attitudes and norms.
Group-education with men and boys to change attitudes and norms.
Social marketing campaigns or ‘edutainment’ approaches and group education
Often these are used in combination…