Prior to designing, adapting or scaling up a VAWG programme, it is useful to undertake a context and situation analysis. This involves identifying key data on VAWG, relevant research and other contextual information to determine which specific issues to address. Knowing who is most at risk and what is driving specific types of violence within the chosen context and across different levels of the socio-ecological model (individual, interpersonal, community, and policy level) helps to identify which programme approaches will be most effective. For more information, see page on Conduct Research to Inform Programme Design.

Before selecting a specific programme strategy, review the global and local evidence on the implementation, results and impacts of different programme approaches. Take care to review which specific forms of VAWG were addressed through different strategies and whether the programmes have been implemented in similar contexts.

There are a number of useful sources including global evidence reviews, UN programming guidance (e.g. the RESPECT Women Implementation Package, the INSPIRE Handbook, the Essential Services Package) and individual programme evaluations that have been conducted to assess the effectiveness and impact of a specific programme approach. Another useful source is practice-based knowledge where lessons learned on implementation and unintended consequences are captured, analysed and shared by practitioners and researchers, including insights from local communities - see for example the series Learning from Practice published by the UN Trust Fund. Understanding the nuances of when, where and how programmes worked, key challenges and lessons can support decision-making around whether specific approaches would work within the chosen context.

Effective VAWG programmes require a comprehensive design incorporating interventions to address key risk and protective factors in order to prevent violence, as well as work to strengthen response services for survivors of violence. In the case of the Spotlight Initiative, multiple partners worked together to develop a comprehensive approach.

However, it is also critical to understand what other organisations (e.g. bilateral donors, NGOs, women's rights organisations national and local government) are already doing or plan to do within the same geographical area and build synergies. Take time to review recent, current and planned VAWG prevention and response programmes, where they are working and with which partners and identify gaps and how you might complement rather than duplicate effort.

Not all programmes need to be designed from scratch. Some build on lessons from a pilot or initial phase, others adapt approaches that were promising in other contexts, and some scale up existing approaches proven effective in the given context. It is useful to consider which of these options might be appropriate in your context and why. 

Equally, you will need to consider what scope of programme is feasible within the timeframe and budget available. Programme managers are often faced with pressures to show quantifiable results in short timeframes. However, evidence and practice-based knowledge across different contexts suggests that programme implementation timeframes of at least 3 years are needed to reduce levels of VAWG at community levels and at least two years is needed to improve service delivery in a sustainable manner. This is in addition to the 9-12 months of preparatory work needed to map local resources and stakeholders, design or adapt programme activities to the specific context, and build relationships amongst programme stakeholders and communities – as well as any time needed to conduct a formal evaluation and consolidate learning. 

This table taken from a brief developed by UN Women and the Prevention Collaborative is useful as a guide to consider different strategic options for prevention programming. The brief also contains examples of different interventions appropriate in different time frames.

Once you have considered what the programme design could look like, examine the expertise and level of organisational capacity needed, as well as potential partners to implement the strategy to meet the priority needs of the community and challenges in the specific context. Consider whether a co-creation process is needed to develop the detailed programme interventions, keeping in mind the reach and intensity of activities to deliver a transformative intervention, the number of iterations, and what type of piloting/inception and adaptation phase is needed to test the intervention within the target communities.

Next, think through how this will be implemented on a practical level. Consider any adjustments that need to be made:

• Is there enough time, budget and human resources to design/adapt, implement and evaluate a program?
• How many implementation sites/districts/communities will be targeted?
• Are appropriate structures, processes and other support functions in place?
• How many meetings or interactions are needed to engage, ensure access and build relationships?
• How many trainings with partners and staff are needed to develop the knowledge, skills and capacity required?
• What potential harm can be done through these activities and what risk mitigation strategies need to be employed?
• How will the programme be communicated to key actors and stakeholders? How will sustainability be factored into the strategy?

Any VAWG programme which involves working with women and girls, including women’s rights organisations and women human rights defenders (WHRDs), must be done in a safe and ethical manner. This is to ensure their physical, psychological and social wellbeing and lives are not put at risk in the process. Ultimately, the programmes must be accountable to women and girls. VAWG programmes often find it useful to develop a set of guiding principles that underpins the strategy. Examples of useful principles for safe, ethical VAWG programming include:

• Adopt a human rights-based approach, putting the needs and priorities of women at the centre.
• Apply an intersectional analysis to all stages of program development, through understanding how diverse women are affected by GBV and included in prevention programs.
• Use a survivor-centred approach, listening for and attending to survivor needs and priorities.
• Follow ethical guidelines and adopt a do no harm approach.
• Understand and adapt to different socio-cultural contexts.
• Understand the needs of and be inclusive of all women, including marginalised groups of women.
• Ensure holistic programming addressing levels of the ecological model.
• Work in partnership with women and women’s rights organisations.
• Draw on existing evidence.
• Develop a clear vision and theory of change.