Integrate

Violence Against Women & Girls -- Resource Guide

INTEGRATE

Rapid Situation Analysis

Before developing an intervention strategy to respond to VAWG, project teams should understand the legal, social and epidemiological situation in the country, region or local community as they relate to VAWG. New programs or activities should be developed with an in-depth understanding of the existing gaps in services across sectors. WBG and IDB staff should work with governments, private sector partners, non-governmental institutions, local experts, and other counterparts in the country to answer some or all following questions.

Who is already working on this issue?

Potential partners and allies could include government ministries, civil society organizations, and other key organizations working on VAWG and gender/human rights in the country or region. Map the important projects they are executing and their areas of expertise.

Which data collection mechanisms already exist?

Is there available evidence on VAWG in the country/region?

. This data should be disaggregated by sex (of survivor and perpetrator).

What is the legal framework at the national and local levels affecting women's rights?

Examine the procedures for enforcing the laws, and the reality of how those laws are applied and applied in practice. Laws on mandatory reporting of violence can greatly affect the health sector response, for example. This analysis should also include property and inheritance rights as well as customary laws.

What are your institution's own experiences and resources working on the issue of gender-based violence in the country (if any)?

For example, identify any results and lessons learned from projects that provide services to survivors of violence or train staff in gender issues and human rights. Pinpoint known barriers and challenges, or experiences collaborating with networks or other organizations. In absence of evidence-based or promising practices in the country, look for experiences from other contexts that may be appropriately adapted. Look for organizational resources such as VAWG specialist or trained staff in this topic, manuals, studies/evaluations, evidence of interventions etc.

What sex-disaggregated information is available on the status of women and men in the sector in question?

This analysis could include the proportion and roles of male and female workers in that sector, along with their training levels (including any VAWG training), and on the beneficiary side, women��s/men��s use of and capacity to benefit from the services provided by that sector, beneficiary preferences for male or female staff, and household decision-making patterns.¹ In countries with diverse populations data disaggregated by self-identified ethnicity is also recommended.

What are the national, provincial, and local plans, and policies related to the prevention of and response to VAWG?

What services or programs are in place for women who experience violence?

These can include medical, legal, psychological or social services for women. Assess the level of coordination between them.

What type of cultural and social constraints do women face in the project context?

Are there any traditional practices, norms, and responses that may increase women's vulnerability to VAWG?

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage, for example, are considered harmful traditional practices that expose girls and young women to serious physical and psychological harm.

Additional Questions

Within the project, are training and resources allocated to enhance women's capabilities?

with a view to securing economic independence and wellbeing (health, both mental and physical, and freedom from violence)?

Is the social and economic empowerment of women an explicit goal with definable impacts?

Are participants provided with "citizenship" skills?

? For example, women��s rights literacy, including the right for a life free of violence.

Assess the project objectives -- are they looking to transform gender norms and reduce inequalities between men and women?

For example, . For further details and guidance on this, please see the and the .

Could the project contribute to reinforcing gender stereotypes/traditional roles?

These can lead to greater inequalities between men and women in the access of resources, and the economic dependence of women on men, therefore increasing VAWG risk factors. Add to the project required actions to prevent or mitigate this risk.

¹ For example, in the health sector, relevant sex-disaggregated data would consist of the health status of men/women, their role in the health sector, the numbers and training levels of male and female health workers, patient preferences for male or female health workers, women��s/men��s use of and capacity to benefit from health-care services, etc. This information will assist with understanding a) the health status and health decision-making of men and women and how they differ, b) any gender inequities in hiring policies and practices, and c) any obstacles patients may be facing in accessing health services, whether cultural or structural. Understanding household dynamics, reflected in decision-making patterns, has a significant impact on women��s ability to access services or benefits, including those related to GBV.