What do you need to know to design a programme?

Conduct research to inform programme design

Contextual research is essential for designing programmes that are effective in ending violence against women and girls (VAWG). Research should seek to understand the different forms of violence occurring, the populations affected, the drivers and risk factors of each type of violence and how individuals and communities are currently responding to the violence. It is also important to understand the wider political, socio-cultural and economic context of the programming location. Without contextual research, programmes risk putting resources towards initiatives that don’t meet the needs or priorities of women and girls, are not optimised for the specific context and could even cause harm. If primary contextual research is needed, this takes time and resources, which should be considered when developing the programme budget and workplan.

Guiding Principles

Do no harm approach

Leave No One Behind, Equity and Non-Discrimination

Intersectional approach

Spotlight Initiative

Approach and Learning

There are several key principles which have guided Spotlight Initiative's approach to research on VAWG:

Ensure ethical data collection. The safety of women and girl participants should always be prioritised. This requires anonymising data, ensuring secure data storage, developing strong data-sharing protocols, and ensuring all those involved in the data collection, processing and dissemination process are trained on ethical research principles and survivor-centred approaches to research.
Use action-oriented feminist research approaches. This means that research should: focus on the individual, social, systemic and institutional factors that impact gender (in)equality; privilege the experiences and perspectives of women and girls; challenge inequalities through the research process itself; recognise the expertise and knowledge of service providers and activists; identify and address power imbalances in the research; recognise how gender inequality intersects with other social inequalities, and respect women as experts and co-producers of knowledge rather than research subjects.
Research and data should benefit the people or communities involved in the research. This means that research results are made available and accessible to participants and relevant communities. This may require developing tailored products to present research findings to communities.
Qualitative data should accompany quantitative data. Feminist research principles recognise the importance of personal experiences in creating scientifically sound knowledge. It is also important to triangulate and validate data from different sources and to investigate questions about ’how’ and ‘why’ things happen not just ‘what’ happens.
Researchers should partner with local women’s rights organisations (WROs). WROs should be included in the design, implementation and analysis of research. This is to ensure that women’s voices are at the centre of research and to support researchers understand socio-cultural nuances that may otherwise be missed.

Spotlight Initiative programmes conducted baseline studies to inform their monitoring framework and results reporting during the inception phase. Many Spotlight Initiative programmes also conducted additional formative research, studies and assessments to inform programme design.

For example, in 2022, research conducted across Latin America identified significant gaps in existing data and knowledge related to the drivers of VAWG and the prevalence of harmful social norms and attitudes. As a result, the Latin America Regional Programme prioritised research on these issues to generate data to inform policy-making and programming. They published eight multidimensional studies on femicide in highly vulnerable contexts, which highlight the intersectional impacts of new forms of violence. This data is being used to strengthen public policies and legal frameworks to address femicide.

Sources: Spotlight Initiative (2022) Global Annual Report, Spotlight Initiative (2018) Technical Guidance Note on the Six Pillars of Spotlight Theory of Change

Top Tips

How to conduct research to inform programme design - top tips based on wider learning in the sector

Click a tip for more information.

Identify what contextual research is required to inform programme design

Build a skilled research team including local expertise

Adhere to ethical and safety standards

Take a survivor-centred approach: Collecting data on VAWG is highly sensitive. Research can put respondents at risk of re-traumatisation if they are survivors, and of backlash from perpetrators and others. Only conduct data-collection with survivors if there is no other way to gather the necessary information and if the team have the skills needed to take a survivor-centred approach. Team members should be trained to know when and how to escalate disclosures of violence and refer women to available services and sources of support (see page on how to Map Existing VAWG Services).

Ensure research participants give informed consent: Informed consent is a core principle of research ethics. It aims to ensure that, in advance of agreeing to participate, all research participants have full information about what the research entails, what will be asked of them, what the potential benefits and harms to them are, and what the research will be used for. It also entails a no-pressure approach to participation, meaning that if an individual does not want to participate, they will not be pressured into doing so, and that if they decide to pull out of the research once it has begun, they will be free to do so.

Ensure data is stored securely: Data collected should be stored securely to ensure confidential and personal details shared by participants are protected. Inadequate data-storage systems put participants at risk. If their personal information is shared without their consent or if a system is hacked and their personal information is stolen, then this increases the risk that their data will be used for illicit reasons or that they will be targeted by violent individuals.

Take an intersectional and age-appropriate approach: Research into violence against children and adolescent girls should take an age-appropriate approach. Involving children and adolescents in research ensures they are respected as partners and rights holders and can improve the rigour of research. Where safe to do so, research should also collect and disaggregate data based on other identities and characteristics such as ethnicity, disability and refugee status. This will help ensure research findings capture the nuanced experiences of women in their diversity.

Choose an appropriate research methodology

Some methods to consider include:

Method	Resources
Desk-based research Involves gathering information from existing data sources to use in analysis.	This often involves using web-based search engines to find relevant existing information from academic and other trusted sources - as well as consulting national or sub-national surveys with data on VAWG prevalence and known risk factors or violence: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS); International Men and Gender Equality Studies (IMAGES); UN Multi-Country Study on Men and Violence.
Key Informant Interviews In-depth interviews with stakeholders chosen for their relevant experience or expertise.	GBV Guidelines (2021) Key Informant Interviews UN Women (2011) Key Informant Interviews UN Women (2022) Safe Consultations with Survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) Involve facilitating a discussion on a particular topic with a group of relevant stakeholders.	UN Women (2022) Safe Consultations with Survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls
Surveys A method of gathering (mainly quantitative) data from a large group of people. Can be implemented online, using devices or on paper.	People in Need (2022) Rapid guide to collecting survey data on gender based violence GBV Guidelines (2021) Household Surveys
Participatory approaches Involve a range of participatory exercises to encourage participants to explore issues in ways that are accessible and appropriate.	Global Women’s Institute (2018) Gender-Based Violence Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation with Refugee and Conflict-Affected Populations

Understand the national institutional context

This involves reviewing data on: Laws, policies and political will for ending VAWG; key actors and institutions working on VAWG, their interests, capacities and relationships; administrative data on VAWG cases; and existing efforts and initiatives working to end VAWG at the national level. When mapping the national institutional context, programmes should consider the following questions:

Government: Laws and policies	Which global and regional conventions on VAWG have been signed? Which forms of VAWG are criminalised in law? What provisions are made to support the implementation of this law? What key policy/ strategy commitments has the government made on VAWG prevention or response? Which government bodies are responsible for efforts to end VAWG? Are these different at national and sub-national level?
Government: Political will and implementation	What is the political will to end VAWG among decision-makers? Are laws and policies to end VAWG implemented in practice? What resources are available to support VAWG prevention and response efforts? Are there any recent or existing programmes on VAWG prevention and response? What lessons can you learn from them? Do staff within government bodies have adequate expertise, skills and capacity to engage in effective VAWG prevention and response work?
Bilateral Donors	Which donors are funding programmes to end VAWG? And which are the ongoing and past programmes developed on VAW? What are the lessons learned? Which donors might fund programmes to end VAWG? What are their funding modalities? What are their typical funding amounts and timeframes? What are their expectations around design and reporting?
International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and Women’s Funds	Which INGOs and women’s funds are funding programmes to end VAWG? Which INGOs are implementing programmes to end VAWG? What lessons can you learn from previous or existing programmes focused on ending VAWG? Do staff within INGOs have adequate expertise, skills and capacity to engage in effective VAWG prevention and response work?
UN System	What is the UN system’s relationship with the government? Which UN agencies are engaged in efforts to end VAWG? What lessons can you learn from recent or current programmes to end VAWG? Is there any potential for joint programming?
Local NGOs, CSOs and WROs	What is the political environment for civil society working on programming to end VAWG? Which local NGOs, CSOs and WROs are engaged in efforts to end VAWG? What lessons can you learn from recent or current efforts to end VAWG? Do staff within local NGOs, CSOs, and WROs have adequate expertise, skills and capacity to engage in effective VAWG prevention and response work?

Understand the specific programme context(s)

Effective programming also requires a deep understanding of the specific local context(s) where programme interventions will be implemented. This involves examining data on local VAWG prevalence rates, drivers of VAWG and risk factors for different types of VAWG; the local socio-cultural, economic and institutional context and how this may support or limit efforts to end VAWG; the needs and priorities of target populations; humanitarian, peace and other development challenges; and the accessibility and quality of services to support survivors of VAWG. Ensure your research is intersectional and considers the different experiences of diverse groups of women and girls including those with disabilities, from the LGBTQI+ community, widows, adolescents, and those from different ethnic backgrounds, among others. While mapping the local context, consider the following questions and sources of information. See also our page Understand and use VAWG data.

Questions	Resources
What are the different forms and prevalence of VAWG in this specific context? How does this vary? What are the geographical areas where there is the highest violence prevalence?	WHO Global Database on VAW prevalence Demographic and Health Survey data If you do not have access to existing data, consider developing a survey, using standard modules such as UNESCWA VAW survey toolkit
Who are the primary victims and perpetrators and what are the consequences of this violence?	Demographic and Health Survey data If you do not have access to existing data, consider developing a survey, using standard modules such as UNESCWA VAW survey toolkit
What is known about the key causes, patterns and dynamics of specific type(s) of VAWG?	Look for secondary analysis of DHS data Look for research conducted by academics and NGOs Conduct interviews with women and WROs Map risk factors and triggers for the violence using the socio-ecological model tool
What are the key attitudes and norms that justify violence, keep women silent and inhibit community response?	Demographic and Health Survey data on attitudes Look for research conducted by academics and NGOs Collect data on social norms. Social Norms Learning Collaborative provides guidance on how
Are there positive attitudes, norms or practices which support gender equality and non-violence?	Collect data on social norms. Social Norms Learning Collaborative provides guidance on how
Who are the most influential actors in the context in terms of influence on men, women, families and communities?	Conduct a gender inclusion, power and politics analysis, a stakeholder mapping, a social network analysis, a power analysis or a political economy analysis. Interview stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
What existing/previous programs are there in this context related to gender or ending VAWG? What lessons can you learn from these?	Interview key stakeholders, including WROs, NGOs, CSOs and funders
Are there individuals, groups and organisations that could be allies for work to end VAWG? Who might be resistant to change and why? What might be key entry points to engage men, women, leaders, and service providers, among other stakeholders in efforts to end VAWG? What might enable and constrain their interest and participation?	Conduct a stakeholder mapping Interview key stakeholders including WROs, NGOs, CSOs, and local leaders and decision-makers
How are the proposed interventions likely to affect gender relations, roles and power dynamics in the household, schools, or communities targeted?	Conduct a power analysis or social impact assessment Conduct interviews with WROs, and local communities
What do women see as the main risks and benefits to them of the proposed interventions?	Host participatory workshops and interviews with diverse groups of women from the focus community
Where do women survivors currently go for help and why? What is the accessibility and quality of response services?	Conduct workshops and interviews with diverse groups of local women and WROs Conduct interviews with local service providers
What potential or actual conflict exists that could exacerbate VAWG, hinder efforts to end VAWG, or which the programme could exacerbate if it isn’t implemented sensitively?	Conduct a gender sensitive conflict analysis

Understand the organisational context

Organisational context is also key to developing effective programmes. Organisations should consider their capacity to implement programmes, the capacity of potential implementing partners, donor expectations and constraints that may support or hinder efforts to end VAWG, and the budget and timeframe available for implementing programming to end VAWG. A simple way to assess organisational capacity is to conduct a participatory SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis.

Internal to your organisation	External to your organisation
Strengths What can your organisation best contribute to programming to end VAWG? What knowledge, capacities and skills do your leaders and staff have that can contribute to programming to end VAWG? What networks or relationships do you have with key actors or organisations that could support efforts to end VAWG? What presence and relationships do you have at community level - with CSOs, WROs, community leaders, and service providers that could support efforts to end VAWG? What internal financial resources do you have to invest in developing your expertise and programming to end VAWG?	Opportunities What key government laws, policies and political commitments to end VAWG exist? Which donors are interested in funding programmes to end VAWG? Are there any specific funding mechanisms you can access? Are there other groups or organisations that might support your work to end VAWG? How might they support you? Is there public appetite in your context to make progress on gender equality and preventing VAWG?
Weaknesses How can you fill the gaps in knowledge, capacity and skills of your staff and leadership to support them better contribute to ending VAWG? Does a commitment to end VAWG fit with your organisational vision and purpose? Is there staff commitment and motivation to work in this area? What relationships and networks do you need to build at national, district or community level to support your efforts to end VAWG? Do you have the position and political credibility to work in this area? If not, how can you build this? Do you have sufficient financial resources to invest in efforts to end VAWG? How certain is your funding? What can be done to improve your access to funding?	Threats Is there a genuine political commitment to end VAWG at the national, district and community level? Are donors prepared to invest the financial resources and time needed to develop and implement effective programming to end VAWG? How coordinated are the key actors working to end VAWG? How can this coordination be improved? Are there many organisations competing for limited funding on ending VAWG? What can be done to reduce this competition? Are there any groups or individuals who might threaten your efforts to end VAWG? What might be done to prevent your success? How can you minimise this risk and mitigate the potential impact? What conservative forces at national and community level might resist social change and foster backlash? How can you minimise this risk and mitigate the potential impact? Are there other environmental factors at play such as conflict that may hinder efforts to end VAWG?

Internal to your organisation

External to your organisation

Strengths

What can your organisation best contribute to programming to end VAWG?
What knowledge, capacities and skills do your leaders and staff have that can contribute to programming to end VAWG?
What networks or relationships do you have with key actors or organisations that could support efforts to end VAWG? What presence and relationships do you have at community level - with CSOs, WROs, community leaders, and service providers that could support efforts to end VAWG?
What internal financial resources do you have to invest in developing your expertise and programming to end VAWG?

Opportunities

What key government laws, policies and political commitments to end VAWG exist?
Which donors are interested in funding programmes to end VAWG? Are there any specific funding mechanisms you can access?
Are there other groups or organisations that might support your work to end VAWG? How might they support you? Is there public appetite in your context to make progress on gender equality and preventing VAWG?

Weaknesses

How can you fill the gaps in knowledge, capacity and skills of your staff and leadership to support them better contribute to ending VAWG?
Does a commitment to end VAWG fit with your organisational vision and purpose? Is there staff commitment and motivation to work in this area?
What relationships and networks do you need to build at national, district or community level to support your efforts to end VAWG?
Do you have the position and political credibility to work in this area? If not, how can you build this?
Do you have sufficient financial resources to invest in efforts to end VAWG? How certain is your funding? What can be done to improve your access to funding?

Threats

Is there a genuine political commitment to end VAWG at the national, district and community level?
Are donors prepared to invest the financial resources and time needed to develop and implement effective programming to end VAWG?
How coordinated are the key actors working to end VAWG? How can this coordination be improved?
Are there many organisations competing for limited funding on ending VAWG? What can be done to reduce this competition?
Are there any groups or individuals who might threaten your efforts to end VAWG? What might be done to prevent your success? How can you minimise this risk and mitigate the potential impact?
What conservative forces at national and community level might resist social change and foster backlash? How can you minimise this risk and mitigate the potential impact?
Are there other environmental factors at play such as conflict that may hinder efforts to end VAWG?

View Sources

Case Studies

A mixed methods approach to assess attitudes, behaviours and norms around VAWG in Uganda

Spotlight Initiative

In 2020, the Spotlight Initiative programme in Uganda conducted a mixed methods study to assess the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviours linked to VAWG, prevalent social norms, HIV-related behaviour and community responses to VAWG in two protection of civilian camps. Information was gathered through primary research and a review of secondary evidence, which the team triangulated to ensure consistency of findings. The team used the following techniques to gather data:

Questionnaire-based survey: The team identified 270 participants including men and women to participate in this survey. Trained research assistants visited these participants in the two protection of civilian camps and used a Kobo Mobile Data Collection tool to administer questionnaires. This questionnaire covered multiple issues including 1) knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviour of people living in protection of civilian camps towards VAWG; 2) consequences of VAWG, 3) awareness and engagement with institutions to report and respond to VAWG.
Focus group discussions (FGDs): Spotlight Initiative also held 24 FGDs with 5 women (aged 25-49), 4 men (aged 25-49), 4 adolescent girls (aged 15-19), 4 adolescent boys (aged 15-19), 5 SASA! activists and 2 people with disabilities. These FGDs used open-ended questions to capture data on issues that were not captured in the questionnaire. For example, some participants provided testimonies on their experiences of VAWG, while others discussed the forms of VAWG experienced in the community, causes of VAWG in Protection of Civilian settings, and community expectations, reactions and responses to VAWG, among other topics.

The team analysed quantitative data and disaggregated variables based on age, gender and settlement. The team also analysed the qualitative data according to respondent group using coding and thematic analysis.

This data was then used to better understand the factors promoting or hindering gender equity and the perception of participants on VAWG prevention and response efforts - in order to inform programme design. It was also used to provide a baseline so that the programme could measure progress against indicators over the course of the programme to determine impact and effectiveness.