Context
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a widespread human rights violation. GBV is particularly prevalent in Southern Africa, especially intimate partner violence. Like all forms of GBV, such violence has its roots in gender inequality and social norms and practices.
Institutional and individual capacities must be strengthened to implement and coordinate measures that prevent GBV. In addition, there needs to be more regional dialogue between those responsible, so that best practices and methods can be shared.
Objective
Evidence informed Gender Based Violence prevention flagships are jointly implemented by regional, national and sub-national stakeholders across sectors in Southern African communities.
Approach
The project works across society as a whole to tackle gender-based violence on a broad scale. It supports dialogue between governments, the private sector and civil society with a view to promoting partnerships between different stakeholders. The project works with local partners to implement scientifically sound flagship projects that it has developed in line with the needs of each individual context. The aim of the initiatives, such as those on mental health or the prohibition of child marriage, is to prevent all gender-based violence, particularly intimate partner violence, in South Africa, Lesotho, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The project also works regionally with the Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to disseminate best practices against gender-based violence. It promotes a cross-border learning process through dialogue formats. This is also designed to make better data on GBV more available in the region. The project’s regional activities receive financial support from the Ford Foundation.
