Preventing Gender-Based Violence in Southern Africa

Context

Violence against women and girls is a widespread and serious violation of human rights in southern Africa. The social, political and economic participation of women and girls is severely impaired. In international comparison, violence against women and girls is particularly prevalent in the countries of southern Africa. It is also generally accepted by society. Above all, domestic partner violence is promoted by social norms. Up to two-thirds of all women in the countries claim to have experienced violence (physical and / or emotional violence). Domestic partner violence is the most common form. At the same time, institutional competences for the implementation and coordination of violence prevention have so far been insufficiently developed.

Objective

Cooperation between state, non-governmental and private sector actors to prevent violence against women and girls in southern Africa has improved.

Approach

The extent of violence against women and girls in southern African countries requires broad-based approaches. The program supports governments, civil society organizations, private companies, media and academia in building multi-stakeholder partnerships. Together, they implement "flagship projects" in South Africa, Lesotho and Zambia. These projects support new approaches developed in each region. They aim to prevent all forms of violence against women and girls.

For example, a smartphone app was developed in Lesotho, which informs women about their rights and can be used in emergency situations. A project in Zambia works with religious and traditional actors to increase awareness of the issue. In South Africa, cooperation with the media industry aims to address negative gender stereotypes and increase women's representativeness in reporting.

The target group of the project are women and girls as the main victims of gender-based violence. Nevertheless, the project also approaches boys and men to make a major change in social gender norms in the partner countries.

Results

As part of a six-month prelude period, the program commissioned a study of the initial situation in the three countries. Based on this, measures were adapted to the country-specific conditions, action needs identified and multi-stakeholder partnerships initiated. The study was developed as an innovative network analysis that examined the quality of networks for the prevention of violence against women and girls in the three countries. Recommendations of the study were used to advise the political partners and to plan the flagship projects. In addition, first regional exchange formats were supported and topics identified for accompanying research.