Soul Beat Africa

• RESEARCH AND REPORTS: digital storytelling, GBV and indigenous communities...
• ORANGE THE WORLD IN 16 DAYS: End Violence against Women and Girls Campaign...
• PROGRAMME EXPERIENCES: using radio drama and social mobilisation...
• RESOURCES AND MATERIALS: engaging men and faith-based communities...

• 1. Comprehensive Responses to Sexual Violence in East and Southern Africa: Lessons Learned from Implementation [May, 2011]By Jill Keesbury, Ian Askew, Monica Wanjiru, Grace Chiyaba, Kate Wilson, and Felly Nkweto SimmondsThis policy brief shares the experience and lessons learned by the Population Council and partners who are part of the Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) Network, in implementing programming to address SGBV. According to the brief, many countries in Africa have recognised that they must address SGBV if they are to make progress toward human development goals, including significant reductions in poverty, HIV incidence, and maternal and infant mortality by 2015. Yet, there has been very little evidence in the region on how to effectively address SGBV taking into account local resource, cultural, and political realities.
  
  
• 2. The Empower Project: Fostering Alliances for Action Against Gender Based Violence in Benin [May, 2013]By Muthi NhelmaThis case study highlights the experiences and lessons learned from Care International's EMPOWER (Enabling Mobilization and Policy Implementation for Women's Rights) Project in Benin, which was designed to galvanise a national response to gender-based violence (GBV) by strengthening support services for survivors and improving policies and laws on GBV and women's rights more broadly. According to the case study, the contribution of CARE and its partners in shaping the national response to GBV was rooted in their ability to convene a vast network of players as change agents, advocates, pressure groups, survivors, service providers, and decision makers, to reduce GBV and assist survivors.
  
  
• 3. Breaking the Silence on Violence against Indigenous Girls, Adolescents and Young Women [January, 2013]This collaborative study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the magnitude, nature, and context of violence experienced specifically by indigenous girls, adolescents, and young women. Drawing on examples from Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, the study assesses the interface between the historical, political, economic, social, and cultural contexts of indigenous peoples and examines the types of violence they face, their prevalence, and the settings in which they take place. The report looks at different interventions underway and offers insights and recommendations - including a set of guiding principles - to accelerate progress and action to protect and prevent violence against indigenous girls and women in all its forms.
  
  
• 4. What Works to Prevent Partner Violence? An Evidence Overview [December, 2011]By Lori L. HeiseThis document reviews the empirical evidence of what works in low- and middle-income countries to prevent violence against women (VAW) by their husbands and other male partners. Its purpose is to help inform the future direction of the United Kingdom (UK)'s Department for International Development (DFID) programming on VAW, with an eye towards maximising its impact and ensuring the best use of scarce resources. The review concentrates on summarising: (1)evidence that establishes the link between key factors and risk of partner violence, and (2) what is known about the effectiveness of interventions to either reduce partner violence directly or indirectly by influencing these factors.
  
  
• 5. Digital Storytelling Project: Using Narrative and Participatory Media to Explore the Links Between Gender, Violence, and HIV and AIDS in South Africa [2013]This case study shares the experience of Sonke Gender Justice's Silence Speaks Digital Storytelling Project. Since 2007, Sonke and Silence Speaks have been working together to enable young people and adults affected by violence and HIV and AIDS to create and share their stories digitally. The goal of the collaboration is to deepen existing conversations about gender norms and prevent the further spread of these twin epidemics. According to the case study, while stereotyped representations of masculinity and sensationalised portrayals of GBV can readily be found in global popular media, the Sonke digital stories present an alternative vision that emphasises the importance of reflection, hope, and a vision of change.
  
  
• 6. One Stop Model of Supportor Survivors of Gender-Based Violence: Lessons Learnt from CARE Zambia [May, 2013]This case study shares the experiences by CARE International and its partners on the development of a one stop model of service delivery for survivors of GBV in Zambia. From 2005-2011, CARE led the development of Coordinated Response Centers (CRCs) where survivors could access medical, psychological, and legal support under one roof. The main goal of the coordinated response model is to increase survivor safety and perpetrator accountability by coordinating and linking core services, including providing immediate to longer term health care, access to police and legal services, and culturally and age appropriate counselling services.
  
  
• 7. Engaging Boys and Young Men in the Prevention of Sexual Violence [December, 2011]By Christine Ricardo, Marci Eads, and Gary BarkerThis review analyses 65 studies that investigated the effectiveness of interventions for preventing boys' and young men's use of sexual violence, such as by increasing gender-equitable attitudes and behaviours. Commissioned by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), the review aims to explore the potential for intervening directly with boys and young men in community and school settings to address risk factors for sexual violence within diverse socio-cultural locales around the world. In addition to assessing relevant studies, the review examines the extent to which the interventions have been adapted from one setting, culture, or context to another, as well as from one age group to another.
  
  
• 8. Capacity Building to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence: Project Description and Evaluation of RESPOND/Guinea [October, 2012]By Ashley Jackson This evaluation report discusses an assessment of the RESPOND Project's work to supporting follow-up services to women who had survived violent attacks during political demonstrations in Conakry, Guinea on September 28 2009. According to the report, Guineans and international observers were shocked at the violence, including brutal rapes, that followed a political demonstration in a stadium in Conakry. The immediate response was limited and underscored the urgent need for more and better-quality services throughout the country for survivors of sexual violence (SV) and other forms of GBV. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Guinea mission tasked the RESPOND Project with supporting follow-up services, strengthening local capacity for GBV prevention, and improving the health sector's response to SV.
  
  

• You are invited to create "orange partnerships" and to plan events to raise awareness about the global pandemic of violence against women and girls and the solutions that can end it.
  
  
• The UNiTE campaign and "Orange the World" invite you to take action from November 25 to December 10 (dates that mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence) by reaching out to friends and partner organisations and planning local and national "orange" events (e.g., project orange lights on city landmarks, organise "orange parades", put orange balloons in meeting rooms, etc.) If you are planning panel events, ask the speakers to wear orange, and turn your social media accounts orange for the 16 days. Tweet your photos, messages and videos to @SayNO_UNiTE - they will be showcased on an "Orange Map" on the UNiTE website. For more information, email anna.alaszewski@unwomen.org or click here
  
  

• 9. The CHAMPION Project - TanzaniaThe CHAMPION Project is a five-year initiative launched in 2008 by EngenderHealth to increase men's involvement in preventing the spread of HIV in Tanzania. The project takes a holistic approach to HIV prevention and works to address the underlying gender issues that drive HIV transmission, as well as empower Tanzanian men to talk about their lives, to share their stories, and to reflect on their roles as men and the gender norms in their society. The project encourages men to Be a Role Model through mass media, videos, and photo stories. EngenderHealth is working with FHI360 and diverse local partners, such as the Tanzania Commission for AIDS, the National Muslim Council of Tanzania, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
  
  
• 10. Mahlabathe Speaks - South AfricaLaunched in November 2012, Mahlabathe Speaks is a 13-part serial drama that uses edutainment to highlight the intersections between HIV/AIDS and GBV in South Africa. Distributed to community radio stations in four provinces, the drama production was accompanied by a presenter's guide, a theme song encouraging people to speak out against violence, and listening groups. The drama was produced by CMFD (Community Media for Development) Productions for People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), with the support of the Joint Gender Fund.
  
  
• 11. Mobilize4Africa Campaign - AfricaLed by PCI Media Impact, Mobilize4Africa is a communications for behaviour change campaign designed to address high levels of sexual violence against women and girls in post-war Liberia, as well as improve their sexual and reproductive health rights. Mobilize4Africa is working to build capacity of local partners (non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government agencies, media partners, etc.) to adopt social change communications strategies, while providing a platform for partnership and advancing work through collaborative networks across sectors. The initiative uses radio drama, interactive radio magazine programmes, mobile applications, music, and community mobilisation and social marketing strategies to mobilise people for change. Mobilize4Africa is designed to positively change behaviours and shift social norms related to sexual violence against women and girls, and women's sexual and reproductive health rights.
  
  
• 12. Global Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence against Women and GirlsThis online resource in English, French, and Spanish, is designed to serve the needs of policymakers, programme implementers, and other practitioners dedicated to addressing violence against women and girls. The primary purpose of the Global Virtual Knowledge Centre is to encourage and support evidence-based programming to more efficiently and effectively design, implement, monitor, and evaluate initiatives to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. The Centre is an initiative of UN [United Nations] Women, bringing together the contributions of expert organisations and individuals, governments, UN sister agencies, and a wide range of relevant actors.
  
  

• 13. Men to Men Strategy Toolkit on Working with Men to Combat Gender Based Violence [April, 2013]By Okumba Miruka (ed.), Stephen Otieno, Thuku Njuguna, Philip Otieno, Naisola Likimani, and Kennedy Odhiambo OtinaPublished by African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), the Men to Men Strategy Toolkit shares information, tools, activities, and skills building ideas and methods to support organisations and individuals to better understand the dynamics of working with men to address GBV in collaboration with women's rights organisations in Africa. It explores the myths and misconceptions of working with men, men's fears and strengths, and suggests some of the tested and working ideas that can be adopted, domesticated, or improved for a greater impact.
  
  
• 14. Training Manual on Masculinities and Engaging Men To End Gender Based Violence [June, 2013]By Okumba Miruka, Mary Njeri (ed.), and Kennedy Odhiambo Otina (ed.)Published by African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), this training manual forms part of the Men to Men Programme which seeks to create a critical mass of African men who are able to influence communities, organisations, and the public to believe in and practise gender equality as a norm. The manual is based on a sequence of sessions FEMNET uses in conducting gender training of trainers sessions and provides content for trainers as well as facilitation tips.
  
  
• 15. Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa Policy Report Series and Policy Advocacy Toolkit [2012]According to Sonke Gender Justice, evidence shows that if men are engaged in HIV and GBV prevention efforts, the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and involved parenting, there are great benefits for women, children and men themselves. Many men are already involved in these ways, but in order for widespread changes to take place, the engagement of men at policy level must be addressed. Sonke, on behalf of MenEngage Africa, have produced a set of national policy reports across the Africa region examining policies, laws and plans in the areas of: HIV and AIDS; GBV; Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR); parenting; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and intersex (LGBTI) issues. The reports assess the extent to which the policies contain language relating to the proactive and progressive engagement of men and boys across these critical areas for gender equality.
  
  
• 16. Through the Voice of Faith: Learnings to Inspire Domestic Violence Prevention through Faith InstitutionsBy Stephanie Sauvé, Seán Farrell, and Lori MichauThis Learning Paper describes the experience and lessons learned from a domestic violence prevention initiative driven through the voice of the Catholic Church of Uganda. According to the paper, learning from this initiative has provoked broad reflection about the power of faith in many countries of the Global South, and thus the potential of accelerating positive change at scale through effective collaboration with faith institutions. The initiative brought together partners Trocaire and Raising Voices, and applied the SASA methodology used by Raising Voices. The initiative was based on research findings that pointed to faith institutions as central to Uganda society, but almost completely lacking any focused intervention.
  
  
• 17. Audio Guide: Gender-Based Violence Sensitive Reporting [2013]This audio guide, published by Radio for Peacebuilding Africa, intends to serve as a guide for journalists and media professionals in producing more responsible programming on GBV. It has been created to help journalists cover survivor stories in an appropriate and sensitive manner and serve the public without compromising survivors' rights. The guide is divided into two parts. The first part reviews and expands on the concept of gender, GBV, and the relationship between cultural context and violence against women. The second part proposes ethical, legal and professional considerations in order to assist journalists as they report on survivors and gender-based violence.
  
  
• 18. Get Moving! Facilitator's Guide and Participant's Workbook [January, 2012]Published by the Gender Based Violence Prevention Network, Get Moving! is designed for any organisation working on violence against women or women's rights work in general. It aims to provide opportunities for intensive self-reflection and self-discovery in order to lead staff to feeling more passionate about and committed to their work. Get Moving's! activities and discussions help build a positive organisational culture by exploring not just what the organisation does, but more so how it does it. The Guide consists of ten interactive sessions, each covering a provocative topic that fosters deep individual and collective reflection, revealing key insights for commitment to values-driven work.
  
  
• 19. Materials from an Intervention to Prevent School-Related Gender-Based Violence in Katanga Province, DRCThese communication and training materials were developed by C-Change for an intervention to prevent and mitigate school-related, gender-based violence (SRGBV) and implemented in 31 schools in Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). C-Change worked with teachers, administrators, parents, and community members to establish policies and structures to discourage SRGBV. The goal was to equip girls and boys ages 10-14 to resist, avoid, and report incidences of SRGBV and receive supportive services. At the same time, the intervention builds the ability of administrators, teachers, SRGBV focal persons in schools, and parents to identify and discourage SRGBV and intervene, if incidences occur.