Integrating Protection: An Integrated Approach to …...1 Integrating Protection: An Integrated Approach to Gender-Based Violence and Child Protection Key Findings from Mali, Niger

1

Integrating Protection: An Integrated Approach to Gender-Based Violence and Child Protection

Key Findings from Mali, Niger and Pakistan [2016-2017]

2

VersionmanagementTitle: Anintegratedapproachtogender-basedviolenceandchildprotection:Key

findingsfromMali,NigerandPakistan,2016-2017DateofCreation: May2017Authors NajahAlmugahed,ImanS.PertekandNeelamFidaContributorsincluding: AffanCheemafromIRW

SandrineMafouedonTadonki,andJemalIbrahimSeidfromIRMaliBabaryHamaganiMaimounaandMoustaphaAdamoufromIRNigerSyedHaiderShahandZainUl.AbedinfromIRPakistan

Funder: SIDAPublisher: IslamicReliefWorldwide

Theviewsandinterpretationsexpressedinthisdocumentaretheauthors’anddonotnecessarilyreflectthoseoftheSwedishInternationalDevelopmentCooperationAgency,Sida.

©IslamicReliefWorldwideMay2017Thispublicationissubjecttocopyright.Thecontainedtextmaybeusedfreeofchargeforthepurposesofadvocacy,campaigning,education,andresearch,providedthatthesourceisacknowledgedinfull.IslamicReliefWorldwiderequeststhatallsuchuseberegisteredwithustomonitortheimpactforadvocacypurposes.Forusageinanyothercircumstances,translationoradaptation,permissionmustbesoughtandafeemaybecharged.Forfurtherinformation,[email protected]

3

ContentsVersionmanagement......................................................................................................................................................2

ListofAbbreviations........................................................................................................................................................4

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................................5

Anintegratedapproachtoprotection............................................................................................................................6

Gender-BasedViolenceinTargetCountries...................................................................................................................7

Keyaimsoftheproject....................................................................................................................................................9

Keyfindingsoftheproject............................................................................................................................................10

Impactoftheproject.....................................................................................................................................................21

Challengesinimplementation......................................................................................................................................23

Lessonsforthefuture....................................................................................................................................................24

Incorporateeconomicempowerment .............................................................................................................24

Buildpartnerships .................................................................................................................................................25

Recommendationsfordonorsandpartners.................................................................................................................26

Investinlong-termprogrammes ......................................................................................................................26

Mainstreamdatacollectionandtraining .......................................................................................................26

Advocateatalllevelsofsociety .......................................................................................................................26

4

ListofAbbreviationsCP:Childprotection

EFM:Earlyandforcedmarriage

FGM/C:Femalegenitalmutilationandcutting

GBV:Gender-basedviolence

IRW:IslamicReliefWorldwide

SADDD:Sex,AgeandDisabilityDisaggregatedData

5

IntroductionGender-Based Violence (GBV) is any harmful act carried out on aperson because they are female or male. GBV includes domesticviolence, sexual harassment, human trafficking, forced prostitution,early and forced marriage, female genital mutilation/ cutting, acidattacks, honour killings and many more. Globally, GBVdisproportionatelyaffectswomenandgirls,butitcanalsoaffectmenandboys.IslamicRelief’scommitmenttoendingGBVispartofitswidergenderjustice framework that seeks to end harmful practices affectingwomen and girls. As a faith-inspired humanitarian organisation, weareguidedbyanIslamicunderstandingofgenderequityandequality,andarecompelledtotakeastrongstanceagainstsocialinjustice.Ourefforts to end GBV focus on three harmful practices commonlyinflicted on the women and girls we work with: Early and ForcedMarriage (EFM), Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting (FGM/C) andDomestic Violence (DV). All of these have some degree of overlapwithanothercriticalareaofourwork:ChildProtection(CP).ThisreportisasummaryofourkeyfindingsfromaprojectthataimedtopreventGBVandprovide support to survivors in three countries.The project, ‘Integrated Approach to GBV and CP in HumanitarianActioninMali,NigerandPakistan,’wasfundedbySida(SwedishInternationalDevelopmentCooperationAgency)and implemented by Islamic Relief from 1 June 2016 to 31May 2017.1Itwas a unique project for us in that itcombinedaGBVfocuswithaChildProtection(CP)approachtohelpusaddressissuesofabuse,discriminationandinequalitymoreeffectively. Taking an integratedapproachallowedus tobuildonour institutional expertise andultimatelyprovideabetteroutcomeforwomenandchildreninparticulargirls.WhileGBVandCPissuesareprevalentinmanyofthecommunitiesweworkwith,thediversityofcontextsmeansthatinterventionshavetobetailoredtolocalneeds.Wedocumentedthetypesofviolencereportedineachregionandevaluatedthestrategiesthatworkedbest.Insharingourfindingsandbestpracticeexamples,thisreportaimstobenefitandsensitise felloworganisations, informstakeholdersof issuesbroughttoourattentionandmobilisefurthercoordinationofsupportsystems.ItalsoaimstoincreasethescopeofIslamicRelief’sworkonGBVandCPprojects,generatelearningandpromotemoreevidence-basedprogramming.

1Thisreportdoesnotprovideconclusivefiguresasthefinalreportforthisprojectistobecompleted.

6

Anintegratedapproachtoprotection

IslamicRelief’scommitmenttoaddressingbothGBVandCPconcernsisembeddedintheorganisation’svalues,policiesandactionplans.2Ourprogrammesusuallytakearights-based,community-basedandsurvivor-centredapproachattheindividual,familyandcommunitylevels.Wealsomainstreamprotectionprinciplesintoourhumanitarianinterventionsandadheretocorehumanitarianstandards.WhenlookingintoaddressingGBVandCPissues,ourevidencefromthefieldfoundthattheysharesimilarities,withthesamegroupsatrisk,andthereforetheymaybenefitfromajointintervention.Basedonthisevidencewedesignedanintegratedapproachthatwouldeffectivelymeettheneedsofbeneficiariesandcomplementourwiderhumanitarianresponseprogrammes.OurintegratedGBVandCPapproachbuiltonexistingsocialnetworksbyidentifyingcommunitychampions,whowerethe‘moversandshakers’oftheircommunities.Thisincludedmaleaswellasfemalemembersaswesoughttoengagebothgendersasagentswhereverappropriate.WetrainedthemtoleadcommunitymobilisationeffortsanddevelopadvocacymessagesthatarerelevanttotheGBVandCPconcernsoftheircommunities.ThecountriesidentifiedforthisprojectwereMali,NigerandPakistan,whereIslamicReliefhasanestablishedpresenceandstrongrelationshipswithlocalcommunities.AsMuslimmajoritycountries,weinvolvedfaithleadersascommunitychampionswhohelpedbuildtrust,influencecommunitiesandsupportbehaviouralchange.Weaddressedcross-cuttingGBVandCPissuessuchasEarlyandForcedMarriage(EFM),FemaleGenitalMutilation/Cutting(FGM/C),physicalandsexualviolence,exploitationandchildlabour.Thisintegratedinterventionwasdeliveredinsomeofthemostdeprivedandchallengingregionswherestaffsecurityandsafetywasconstantlymonitored.

2SeeGenderJusticeandChildProtectionpolicies:http://www.islamic-relief.org/publications/

7

Gender-BasedViolenceinTargetCountries

Mali

Figure1:MapofMali

SomereportsofGBVinnorthernMalistemfromtherebellionandoccupationaffectingthecountry.TheUnitedNationsin2014recorded90allegationsofconflict-relatedsexualviolence,69rapesand21sexualassaults.However,beforethecrisisinthenorthernregions,manytypesofGBVwerereportedsuchasintimatepartnerviolence,EFMandFGM/Cacrossthecountry.Theongoingconflicthasmeantthatwomenandgirlsrightsareviolatedfurther;families‘protect’theirgirlsfromsexualassaultsandrapebymarryingthemyoung,andtoensuretheyremainvirtuousandpreparedformarriagetheyundergoFGM/C.

Niger

Figure2:MapofNiger

GBVandCPactivitieswereintegratedintoWASHandfoodsecurityprogrammesinnorthernMali,Timbuktu(DouentzaandGourmaRharous).

InMali,38%ofgirlsaged15haveexperiencedphysicalviolence,withthemajorityofincidentsinflictedbytheirhusband(indicatingEFMamongadolescentgirls)ormostrecentpartner(68%).1Onein10womenaged15-49reportbeingvictimsofsexualviolenceatsomepointintheirlivesandamongthoseinrelationships,44%haveexperiencedphysical,sexualoremotionalviolencefromtheircurrentormostrecentspouse.Aquarterofwomenhavebeenphysicallyinjuredasaresultofdomesticviolenceinthelast12months.AnotherGBVissueaffectingthemajorityofgirlsandwomenisFGM/C,whichismostlyperformedforsocialacceptancereasons.89%ofgirlsandwomenaged15-49haveundergoneFGM/C,whichishigherthaninMali’sneighbouringcountries1.

GBVandCPactivitieswereintegratedintonutritionprogrammesintheLogaregioninDosso,Niger.InNiger,alargeproportionofagriculturalactivitiesarecarriedoutbywomenbutdespitetheircontributiontothehousehold,theyhaverestrictedaccesstoland,credit,healthandsocialservices.Girlsareusuallyforcedtodropoutofschoolduetoearlymarriageanddomesticwork,sotherateofliteracyamongwomenis15%comparedto43%formen.1AccordingtotheDemographicHealthSurvey2012,ratesofearlymarriageareveryhigh:73.3%ofwomenaged20-24weremarriedbeforetheageof18and28%beforetheageof15.1Inruralareas,earlymarriageisthemaincauseofschooldropout.57%percentofgirlsaged10-14donotattendschoolbecauseofthesocialexpectationthattheyshouldstayathometoprepareformarriageandfamilylife.

8

Womenandgirlsarealsomorevulnerabletothecountry’swiderproblemssuchaspoverty,drought,floods,epidemicsandhighbirthrates(resultinginhighmaternalmortalityrates).ArmedattackshavecausedinternaldisplacementandpopulationshavealsoarrivedfromMaliandNigeria,causinggreaterinsecurityinthecountry.Thefragilityofthesituationputswomenandgirlsatgreaterriskofviolencewithinadequateaccesstoreliefandsupport.Thecrisishasalsocausedabreakdownofextendedfamilies,withwomenandgirlsinnuclearfamiliesnowlackingthesupportandprotectionofthewidercommunity.DrugabuseisalsoacontributingfactortotheseverityofGBVinNiger.Inthecommunitiesweworkwith,thereisagenerallackofpublicawarenessofGBV,childabuseandtheassociatedprotectionlawsandregulationsontheissue.

Pakistan

Figure3:MapofPakistan

GBVandCPactivitieswereintegratedintoemergencyresponse,rehabilitation,recoveryanddevelopmentprogrammesinBalochistan.InPakistan,astudyofthreeprovincesrevealedthat75%ofwomenhaveexperiencedphysicalviolenceand66%experiencedsexualviolence.1TheRutgersstudyalsofoundthatwomendonotseeklegalhelpbecauseitisculturallyacceptedthatmenhavetherighttoharassandbeatthem.InBalochistan,oneoftheregionsstudied,widespreadgenderdisparitiesexistinallsectorsincludingeducationandeconomicopportunities.Thisvast,poor,districthasaremoteandscatteredpopulation,withwomenengagedmainlyincaringforthefamilyandinagriculturalrolesasunpaidfamilyworkers.Femaleownershipoflandislimitedanddespitethegrowingnumberofwomencontributingtothelabourforce,theirvoicesareexcludedfromdecision-makingatboththehouseholdandcommunitylevel.Femaleparticipationinsocialandpoliticalissuesislimitedforanumberofreasonsincludinglimitedmobility,lackofawarenessofopportunitiesandlittlerecognitionforwomen’scontribution.

ThisregionofPakistanhasalsobeenstruckbyanumberofnaturaldisastersovertheyearsincludingdevastatingfloodsin2010thataffectedmorethan18millionpeopleandheavymonsoonrainsin2011,affectingmorethan5million.ThesedisastershavecausedripplingeffectsinBalochistan,leavingwomenandchildrenvulnerabletoabuse.Discussionsaroundviolenceagainstwomen,girlsandboysareanissueofparticularsensitivitywhichrequireacommunity-sensitiveapproach.InthedistrictsofChagaiandNoshkiinBalochistan,whereIslamicReliefoperates,patriarchalsocietyissupportedbyatribalsystemthatmakesitextremelydifficultforwomenandgirlstoreportcasesofviolenceorabuse.

9

KeyaimsoftheprojectIslamicReliefaimstopromotegenderjusticeandchildprotectioninordertoinspirebehaviouralchangeincommunities.OurworkinvolvespromotingsafeandaccessibleservicesandcasemanagementforsurvivorsofGBV,childabuseandexploitation.Thisproject,‘IntegratedApproachtoGBVandCPinHumanitarianActioninMali,NigerandPakistan,’focusedonpreventingGBVandchildabuseaswellassupportingsurvivors.Oneofthekeyaimsoftheprojectwastohelpsurvivorsbecomemoreconfidentandcomfortableinaccessingsupport,whichinvolvedstrengtheningtheexistingreferralpathways.Keylocalstakeholdersweretargetedthroughawareness-raisingworkshopsandadvocacysessions.TheprojectalsocreatedCommunityHopeActionTeams(CHAT)whereGBVandCPchampionsorganisedawareness-raisingevents,sharedpreventionmessagesanddiscussedtheirresponseactivities.Withthefocusofthisprojectspecificallyonhumanitariancontexts,weexploredexistingreferralpathwaysandstrengthenedrelationshipswithlocalserviceproviderstoimprovecoordinationbetweenlocalprotectionactors.Inaddition,thisprojectcontributedtoestablishingareportingmechanismforcommitmentsandactionsrelatingtoGBVandCP.

Theprojectinnumbers:•

• BetweenJune2016andApril2017,theprojectreachedatotalofover11,000maleandfemalebeneficiariesinthethreecountriesthroughawareness-raisingsessions.

• 44casesofGBVandchildabusewerereportedandreferredforsupportandspecialistservicesinallthreecountries,withmostofthemrelatedtochildabuse(mostlyaffectinggirls).

• Weworkedwith10localstakeholdersandpartners(3inMali,2inNigerand5inPakistan),includinghealthserviceproviders,localauthoritiesandpolicestationsintheareasofintervention.TheselocalstakeholdersfacilitatedIR’sworkwithreferralpathwaysinprovidingservicestosurvivors.

•

KeyprojectstakeholdersandserviceprovidersworkedtogetherinDouentza,Mali

10

KeyfindingsoftheprojectInimplementingthisproject,ourteamsgatheredsomekeyobservationsandfindingsthathelpedmaximisetheimpactoftheprojectinitslimitedtimeframeaswellassupportfutureinterventionsbyIR,itspartnersandotherstakeholders.ThefindingsrelatetoprotectionmainstreamingandthejointGBVandCPactivities.

Protectionmainstreaming

TheprojecttookaGBVandCPapproach,whicharepartofabroaderprotectionframeworkthataimstomakehumanitarianprogrammessafer,moreaccessibleandaccountable.Mainstreamingprotectionprinciplesalsohelpedourteamsmaximisetheimpactofhumanitarianactivities.

Ensuringaccountabilityandaccuracyofreporting

StaffinallthreecountriesattendmandatoryinductionswithIslamicRelief,whichincludeunderstandingHRsystems,harassmentproceduresandcodesofconduct.IslamicRelief’sGenderJusticeandChildProtectionpoliciesformpartofthisinductionbutwefoundthatnotallmembersofstaffweengagedhadknowledgeofthem.AllIRofficesalsofollowtheorganisation’scomplaintsprocedure,whichisusuallyintheformofafeedbackform,complaintsboxorcontactdetailsthatarewidelydisseminatedamongthetargetedpopulation.WecollectedsexandagedisaggregateddatainallthreecountriesbutonlyPakistancollecteddataondisability,whichisnotfullyintegratedintotheirinformationmanagementsystembutusedforanalysispurposes.ThedisaggregateddatarevealedintersectionalchallengesandexposedissueslikechildabusecasesamongAfghanirefugeesinPakistan,whichshowedanotherlayerofvulnerability.InMali,HIVpositivecasesincreasedtheirvulnerabilitytoGBV.Thesecasesweredealtwithsensitivelyaccordingtobestpracticeprocedures.OnechildinMaliforexample,a14-year-oldrapesurvivor,wasreferredforpsychosocialhelpaswellasmedicalcare,withparentalconsent.ThecasewasalsoreportedintheGBVinformationmanagementsystemforINGOsandtoIslamicRelief’sorphanprogramme.

Planningaccordingtolocalassessments

Oneofthemainlessonslearnedintheplanningphaseofthisprojectwastheimportanceofbaselineassessmentsbeforetheprojectisdesigned.InMali,theteamfelttheywereabletoachievemuchmorethantheoutputsthatwereinitiallyplanned.TheNigerteambelievedtheoutputsoftheprojectwererealisticwhilstinPakistanitemergedthatmoreGBVandCPsensitisationwasnecessarypriortotheproject.Allthreeofficesconsideredagender-balancedteam,especiallyforawareness-raisingsessions.Countryofficeteamshadmoremalestaffmembers,giventhelimitednumberoffemaleGBVandCPtechnicalexpertsavailable.Tobalancethis,IslamicReliefPakistanengagedstafffromotherprogrammes,providingtrainingtohelpthemdeliverawareness-raisingsessionsinculturallyappropriateways.

11

Learningpoint1:• • Tailorapproachesforlocalcontexts

Oneofthemainlessonsofthisprojectwasthatthereisno‘onesizefitsall’approachtotacklingGBVandchildabuse.Inthethreecountries,ourplannedactivities,methodologiesandtargetsweresimilarbutallvariedconsiderablyaccordingtolocalneeds.Thecontextualchallengesthatarosepavedthewayforourfieldstafftorolloutculturallyappropriateactivitiesastheyremainedflexibleintheirapproach.

Ensuringthesafetyanddignityofbeneficiaries

Ineachcountry,thereareformalprotectionsystemsandservicesinplacethroughthereferralpathwaysofpublichealth,policeandlegalsupport.However,publicservicesinallourareasofinterventionwereinadequateanditbecameclearthatGBVandCPissuesarenormallydealtwithinformally.InNigerforexample,therearenopublicsafehomesforGBVsurvivorswhichputsthematrisk,anditisnormallycommunityandfaithleaderswhodealwithGBVandCPcases.InMali,traditionalleadersplayavitalrolewhenformalservicesarenotavailabletosurvivors.InPakistan,therearealternativedisputeresolutionmechanismssuchasasocialcouncilofelderswhoresolvecasesinformally.IslamicReliefthereforearrangedlengthydiscussionsandextensivegroundworkwiththecommunitytoensureweapproachedissuesinaculturallysensitiveway.Itisextremelyimportantforbeneficiarysafetytoensureallstaffandstakeholdersaretrainedintheimportanceofconfidentialityofinformation.InMaliandNiger,GBVchampionsusedacodingsystemtocapturesensitiveinformationandallcodedfileswerephysicallylockedinacupboard.InPakistan,ourteamssignedanoathofconfidentialitythatisincludedintheTermsofReferenceofallpersonnelworkinginreferralpathwaysandemergencyfundsresponse.Staffinallthreecountriesconfirmedthatbeneficiariesknowhowtoreportabuse,whothefocalpointstaffareandtheavailablereferralpathways.

Learningpoint2:• • Raiseawarenessofreportingrape

Whenconductingcommunityawarenesssessions,itbecameevidentthatthevastmajorityofcommunitymemberswerenotawareoftheseriouseffectsofGBVandsexualabuse,includinghealthconsequencessuchascontractingHIV.Weraisedawarenessoftheimportanceofreportingrapewithin72hourstopreventsexuallytransmitteddiseasesandunwantedpregnancies.Itisimportantthatwecontinueraisingawarenessonthisissuetopreventfurtherharm.

•

12

Figure4:IslamicRelief’sOathofConfidentialityDocuments

Providingmeaningfulaccesstosupportservices

Ensuringequitableaccesstoservicesforallbeneficiarieswasconsideredattheprojectdesignstageanditsoonbecameclearthatpublicservicesareinsufficientinallthreeareasofintervention.Additionally,evenwhereservicesareaccessiblethereareculturalbarriersandsocialstigmaspreventingsurvivorsfromreportingabuse.InNiger,womenareunabletomovefreelywithoutbeingaccompaniedorhavingpermissionfromtheirmaleguardians,whichrestrictstheirabilitytoaccessservices.InPakistan,theruralpopulationisveryscatteredandwomenareoftenfullydependentontheirmaleguardianstotravellongdistances.

Inthisproject,themainservicesprovidedtobeneficiarieswerereferralpathwayssoitisdifficulttoassesstheextenttowhichourinterventionprovidedmeaningfulaccess.Howeveratalaterstageintheprojectweprovidedemergencyfundingforsurvivorsofviolenceincrisissituations.Thebeneficiariesofthisfundwereabletoovercomechallengesinaccessingpublichealthserviceswhich,inallthreecountries,requireaminimumchargeforanyhealthintervention.Wheresurvivorsdonothavetheirownincomeorfunds,theymaybeunabletoseekassistance.Healthservicesarealsogenerallylocatedinexposedareaswhichmaypreventsurvivorsseekinghelpduetosocialstigma.

Learningpoint3:• • Supportaccessforpeoplewithdisabilities• Whilemappingtheprotectionservicesavailableinourareasofintervention,wenotedthatpeoplewith

disabilitieswereneglected.Theiraccessibilitytoserviceswaseitherlimitedornon-existent.Serviceprovidersareoftenunabletomeettheneedsofthedisabledduetoalackofresourcesorexpertisebuttheycanseekthesupportofclustersornetworkforumstheymaybepartof.Itisthereforeimportantthatwebuildthecapacityoflocalactorsandraiseawarenessoftheimportanceofprovidingaccesstoservicesforpeoplewithdisabilities.

13

“Thecommunityseemstobeawareofthetypesofabuseandhowtoreportthem.Thereferralpathwaysarenowalsoclearandthemessageisspreadamongstseveralstakeholders.Aspublicsectorstaff,wehavereceivedsupportandtrainingthatwillhelpusprotectwomenandchildren.ThesepartnershipsareessentialtocreatechangeinNiger.”AissaIbrahim,LocalAuthorityProtectionOfficerinLoga,Niger.

Involvingandempoweringlocalcommunities

Thelevelofparticipationfromprojectbeneficiariesvariedineachcountry.InMali,beneficiarieswereinvolvedthroughfocusgroupdiscussionsthatbeganattheneedsassessmentstage.InNigerandPakistan,beneficiarieswereconsultedwhenitcametothestakeholderanalysisandimplementationphases.Inallthreecountries,involvingbeneficiarieswasachallengeweworkedhardtoovercomegiventhatwewereoperatinginconservativecommunitieswhereitisculturallyunacceptabletodiscussGBVissues.Theprojectalsoinvolvedanumberofotherstakeholdersatthedesignandimplementationphase.InMali,localstateauthoritieswereinvolvedidentifyingprotectionsystemsavailableandensurequality.Itwasoftendifficulttomaintainlevelsofparticipationascommunitymembersdidnotfeelownershipoftheawareness-raisingsessions,andinsomecasesexpectedfinancialreturnforattendingthem.Giventheshorttimeframeofthisproject,itisdifficulttoclaimwithanycertaintythatthecommunitywasempoweredbeyondtheproject’sintervention.However,someparticipantswereinspiredandencouragedtodeveloptheirownactionplansandcommittedtocontinueraisingawarenessintheircommunitiesandneighbourhoods.Forexample,religiousleadersdevelopedplanstodiscusswomen’sandchildren’srightsintheirsermonsandduringmarriageceremonies,whilecommunityorganisationsandeldersagreedtoraiseawarenessinculturalgatherings.Furthermore,inbuildingthecapacityoflocalGBVandCPchampions,weenabledcommunity-basedorganisationstocarryoutadvocacyandcommunityempowermentactivities.

14

Learningpoint4:• • Engagecommunityandreligiousleaders• InBalochistan,weinvolvedpublicsectorstaffinourstakeholderworkshopsbutitbecameapparentthatthey

havealimitedcapacitytomanageGBVandchildabusecases.Wefounditwastribalandcommunityleaderswhosettlemostcasesinformally,eveniftheyarereportedtothepolice.Itisthereforeessentialtounderstandthelocalcontexttorecogniseandutiliseentrypoints.Intryingtoinvolvewomenandchildreninamale-dominatedcommunitywehadtoliaisewiththedecision-makerswhointhiscontextweremalereligiousleaders.WefoundthatevenorganisationsworkingonGBVandCPissuesinconservativecommunitieswouldnottalkopenlyunlesstherewerefatwas(religiousedicts)supportingtheirstatements.

“IslamicReliefhasrevolutionisedmywayofthinkingandencouragedmetoplayanactiveroleasafaithleadertobringpositivechangeinmycommunityandsupporttherightsofthemostvulnerablemembersofthecommunity–womenandchildren.”MolviMohammedAnwar,April2017,Dalbindin,Pakistan.

JointGBVandCPactivities

Addressingdifficultissues

Thedifferentculturalnormsandsensitivitiesineachregionmeantthattheissuesthatweremostdifficulttodiscussvariedamongstcommunities.InMali,FGM/CandEFMwereamongstthemostchallengingtopicstoraise.BothareverycommonpracticesinnorthernMaliandparticipantswerenoteasilyabletocomprehendtheirharmfulconsequences.InNiger,domesticviolenceandchildrapewerethemostproblematicissuestoraise.InPakistan,discussingrape,honourkillingandswara3weremostchallenginggiventheconservativenatureofsocietyinwhichsensitiveissuesarenotraisedinapublicsetting.

InIslamicRelief’sexperience,itwaseasiertodiscussphysicalviolenceandchildabuseinMali,especiallythatwhichleavesapparentphysicalevidence.InNiger,itwaseasiertodiscussEFMandeconomicviolence4aswehadstrongevidenceandstatisticaldatamakingthecaseforopposingthesepractices.InPakistan,itwaseasiertodiscussthebasicrightsofwomenandchildrenwithinthefamilyandcommunity,aswellaschildlabourandharassmentinthe

3Swara:Thisisapracticewheredisputingtribescometogetherasonebygivingtheirfemalechildinmarriagetotheotherinexchangeforpeace4Economicviolenceisdeprivationofaccesstofinanceandbasicresourceslikefood,shelterandhealthcare.

15

workplace.Inraisingtheseissues,theuseoffaithandscripturesprovedtobeveryhelpfulinclarifyingreligiousmisinterpretations.

Takinganintegratedapproachallowedthisprojecttobemoresensitivetotheintersectofsex,age,disabilityandanyotherexcludingfactorsthatcanaddtothesufferingofGBVandCPsurvivorsindifferentcontexts.Anoverlapofvulnerabilitiescanresultindifferentlevelsofabusebasedonthesurvivor’sintersectionalidentity.Youngergirls,forexample,areathigherriskofEFMandresearchshowsthatEFMislinkedtodomesticviolence.Womenwithdisabilitiesarealsoatahigherriskofviolenceandabuse,includingemotional,sexualandphysicalviolence,fromboththeirpartnersandstrangers.

• CaseStudy:

Aseven-year-oldrapesurvivor’sstorySeven-year-oldHassia5hadjustregisteredatalocalschoolandwasexcitedaboutstartinghereducation.Oneday,shewentwithhermotherandsistertovisithergrandparentsintheirvillage.Astherewerenotoiletsinthehouse,shewentoutsidetorelieveherself.Afewmetersawayshesawayoungmanapproachingher.Heforcefullyrapedher.Hassiawastakentohospitalformedicaltreatmentandbecauseofhertrauma,couldnotspeakfor17days.Itwasonlyafterreceivingtwoweeksofmedicalandpsychologicalsupportthatshereportedwhathadhappened.Hermothercouldnothandletheshockofthenewsanddiedafewdayslater.Hassia’sfatherhadleftthevillagethreeyearsago,andshewasleftalone,orphaned.Afewweeksaftertheinvestigationbegan,Hassiawasabletoidentifyheraggressor.HewasarrestedbutjustbeforethefinalhearingHassiachangedherstatement.Sheclearedhimofrapeandthemanwastemporarilyreleased.Whenaskedwhyshechangedherstatementshetrembledandwentintoastateofpanic,saying“Nobodytouchedme,nobodyhurtme,itisnothim…”Thecasewasleftopenasthejudgesensedthatthechildhadbeenthreatenedorinfluenced.ThejudgegrantedcustodyofHassiatohergrandparentsfromherfathers’sideofthefamily,whichmeantshecouldliveawayfromthevillagewhereshewasraped.Hassiaisstillreceivingmedicalandpsychologicalsupportonaweeklybasis.Hergrandparentshavebeensupportedthroughtheemergencyfundsofthisprojecttodevelopanincome-generatingactivity.Hassiaisnowgoingtoschoolandfeelssafewiththecareandaffectionshereceivesfromhergrandparents.Theperpetratorisstillatlarge,waitingforhistrialtoproceed.

Strengtheningthereferralpathways

Asnon-GBVandCPspecialists,ourstaffweretrainedonkeyprinciplesandprocedurestofollowwhenabuseisdisclosedbyacommunitymember.TheroleofourstaffwastostrengthenandutilisetheexistingreferralpathwaysavailableincommunitieswhereIslamicReliefoperates.Forexample,staffensuredthatalltheabusecasesreported

5Namehasbeenchangedtoprotectthechild’sidentity.

16

werereferredforpsychosocialsupport.Allthreeofficesstressedtheimportanceofutilisingthereferralsapproachandtheneedtocontinuebuildingpartnershipswithrelevantstakeholdersandserviceproviders.

• CaseStudy:AstoryofthreeorphanedbrothersMoussa(17),Ismael(15)andIssa(13)arebrotherswholosttheirmotherwhentheywereyoungandwhosefatherpassedawayayearago.Theirextendedfamilyaccusedtheboysofkillingtheirparentswithwitchcraft.Asaresult,theywererejectedandstigmatisedbytheentirecommunity.TheycouldnolongeraffordtogotoschoolandMoussawasforcedtoworkasacarpentertofeedhisyoungerbrothers.OurGBVchampionsinterviewedtheboyswhentheyheardabouttheircase.Theywerereferredtoarehabilitationsupportprogrammetohelpthemreintegrateintotheircommunityandasaresult,theyhavere-openedtheirfather’sfoodstoreandarebackatschoolagain.

Buildingthecapacityofcountryofficestaff

IslamicReliefprovidedGBVandCPtrainingtoitsMali,NigerandPakistanstaffbymergingthetwolengthylearningmodulesofGBVandCP.ThenewlycreatedmoduleintertwinedcommonGBVandCPissuesandprotectionmainstreamingumbrellaintoonemodulethatcouldbedeliveredoverfivedays.ThenewtrainingmodulewasadaptedtoaccommodateworkingonGBVandCPissuesindifferentcontexts,whichrequiredresearch,consultationandresourcefulpreparation.Forexample,wespoketoprojectleadswhoseinsighthelpedusstructurethetrainingmodules.Oneregionaltraining-of-trainerswasdeliveredforFrench-speakingstaff,followingwhichparticipantswereabletodeliversimilarsessionstotheirrespectivecolleagues,andseparatetrainingwasarrangedforPakistanofficestaffduetothedifferentcontextandlanguage.ThetrainingwasdeliveredtosensitisestaffonGBVandCPissuesandempowerthemwithknowledgeandrelevantprotectiontoolsfortheirlocalcontexts.

Figure2:StaffcapacitybuildinginPakistan

17

Facilitatingopendiscussiononcontroversialissues

WhilstdeliveringstafftrainingitbecameapparentthatweneededtofacilitatedeeperdiscussionsonsensitiveGBVandCPissuesinordertoconveyIslamicRelief’sstanceeffectively.Topicsthataroseandledtoheateddiscussionsincluded,FGM/C,childmarriage,domesticviolence,polygamyandmaritalrape.Someparticipantsusedreligiousargumentstomakeapoint,usuallyreferringtotheirlocalimam’s(religiousleader’s)interpretation.Shiftingtheirmind-settoapointwheretheycoulddistinguishbetweenreligiousteachingandharmfulculturalpracticesrequiredextensivereligiousknowledge,culturalsensitivityandpatience.

Itwasencouragingthatparticipantsfelttheyhadasafeplacetoexpresstheirviewsandtheprevalentviewsoftheirrespectivecommunities.BytheendofthediscussionstherewasanevidentshiftinthewaycolleagueswereabletoseparatecultureandreligionwhenunderstandingGBVandCPissues.

Learningpoint5:• • Buildlocalstaffcapacity• Whenworkingwithlocalstaffitisimportanttorecognisethattheymayreflecttheviewsandbeliefsoftheir

owncommunities,especiallyonsensitiveissues.WediscoveredthatsomeIslamicReliefstaffviewedourunderstandingofGBVasanexternal,westernadaptationofgenderjusticeandexpressedtheneedtodeveloptheirownlocaldefinitions.Throughthesediscussionswelearnedthattheprocessofchangeincommunitiesneedstostartwithbuildingthecapacityoflocalstaffbecausewiththerighttraining,theycanbecomethestrongestadvocates,championsandrolemodelsintheircommunities.

•

• CaseStudy:

AstoryofsurvivingextremedomesticviolenceMariamhadanargumentwithherhusbandonedayandhepunishedherbyinsertingastickintohergenitalorgans.Thestickpartiallyremainedinsideherasshecouldnotremoveit.WhenMariamattendedIslamicRelief’sGBVawarenesssessionsshewasalreadydivorcedfromherhusband.Howeverthefacilitatorsnoticedthatshehaddifficultyinsittingdownandapproachedherprivatelyafterthesession.Shetoldthemwhathadhappenedtoherandwasimmediatelyreferredformedicalattentionandpsychosocialsupport.Afterseveralsessions,Mariam’sphysicalandemotionalstateimproved.ShetoldIslamicReliefthatsheisfeelingmuchbetterandwouldevenbewillingtoremarryiftheopportunityarose.

Deliveringawareness-raisingcampaigns

Localawareness-raisingcampaignswereasuccessfulwayofbringingaboutchangeineachregionwithoutthreateninglocalnorms.Attendedinfullcapacity,thecommunitysessionsprovidedaninteractivewayofdeliveringmessagesonGBVandCPthroughmethodslikeroleplayandquizzes.Ourteamsineachcountryadoptedthemostculturallyandreligiouslyacceptableapproacheswhenplanninganddeliveringtheirsessions.InPakistan,forexample,staffsharedtheirinnovativeapproachthroughawalkaboutinDalbandin.Theyinvitedjournalists,politicalactivists,representativesfromcivilsocietyorganisations,districtadministrators,schoolteachersandfaithleadersto

18

participateinasessionwhereparticipantstalkedaboutissuesopenly.TheteamalsoutilisedInternationalWomen’sDaytoraiseawarenessamongstIslamicReliefstaffonGBVandCP.Aspartoftheirstrategy,theytheninitiatedasignaturecampaigntorecognisewomen’srightsandIslamicRelief’scommitmenttoachievingthem.

• WomeninPakistanattendacraftscompetitionandleavewithagreaterawarenessofGBVandCPissues.

• • • IslamicRelief’sGBVandCPsignaturecampaigninPakistan.

•

•

IslamicRelief’sGBVandCPawareness-raisingsessionsinPakistan.

Toencouragewomen’sactiveparticipationintheawareness–raisingcampaign,IslamicReliefPakistan’sfemalestaffhelpedfemalecommunityleadersorganiselocalsocialevents.Oneoftheeventswasahandicraftsanddress-makingcompetition,duringwhichIslamicRelief’sfemalestaffdeliveredkeyGBVandCPmessages.TheyfoundthatthegeneralperceptionamongwomenwasthatIslampermitsintimatepartnerviolence.Thiswasopenlydiscussedandchallenged,andexistingreferralpathwayswerepresented.Morethan60womentookpartintheeventandnotonlyleftwithagreaterawarenessoftheirrightsbutmadeacommitmenttospreadthemessagewithintheirsocialcircles.

19

• CaseStudy:

AstoryoftwobravegirlsInDouentza,northernMali,twogirlsaged12and14attendedIslamicRelief’sawareness-raisingsessionsonearlyandforcedmarriageandtheimportanceofgirls’education.Afterthesessiontheyhadthecouragetogotothepoliceandtellthemthattheirfamilieswerepressuringthemtoleaveschoolandgetmarried.Thepolicewereverycooperativeanddealtwiththeissuebycallingthegirls’parents,discussingtheirrightsandtheconsequencesofmarryingthemearly.Theyemphasisedthat,“ifchildren’srightsareviolated,thisispunishablebylaw.”Thepoliceofficersconvincedthegirls’parentsnottomarrythematayoungageandtheparentsgaveasignedcommitmenttothepoliceauthority.

Mobilisingcommunityandfaithleaders

IneachcountrywecreatedCommunityHopeActionTeams(CHATs)thatbroughttogetherkeycommunitypartnerstohelpaddressGBVandCPissuesatalocallevel.PotentialmembersofCHATgroupswereidentifiedduringthestakeholdermappingandpre-assessmentconsultationstagesandincludedfaithleaders,teachers,communityorganisationsandcommunityleaders.InNiger,IslamicReliefarrangedaworkshopforreligiousleaderstodiscussGBVandCPissuesanditwasparticipantsfromthisworkshopwhothenvolunteeredasmembersofCHATgroupsandactivelyengagedwiththecommunity.IntraditionalcommunitiesinPakistan,faithleadersareheavilyinvolvedinnotonlyreligiousissuesbuttribalconsiderationsandinter-familydisputes.TheyarealsorarelychallengedsohavingthemonboardstrengthenedourGBVandCPinterventions.

.

Figure4:religiousleadersgatherforaworkshopinNiger

Wefoundthatengagingfaithleaderswascriticalindismantlingmythsandreligiousorculturalmisinterpretationsthatsupporttheabuseofgirlsandwomen.Faithleaderswerebestpositionedtoeducate,informandinfluencetheviewsofthecommunity,especiallyinMuslim-majoritycontexts.CHATsworkedvoluntarilyandwereencouragedtodesigntheirownactionplansbasedontheircommunity’sneeds,includinglocaladvocacyandawareness-raisingactivities.ThefaithleaderswhocameonboardalsoaddressedGBVandCPissuesintheirsermonsandtheirmeetingswithotherimams

Figure3:CHATgroupmeetinginMali

20

• CaseStudy:

Storyofafaithleader’sroleMolviMohammedAnwarisveryinfluentialamongstthe200householdsinhiscommunity.HerunsanIslamicschoolfor250pupilsandamosqueinDalbandin,Pakistan. AfterMolviMohammedbecameamemberofIslamicRelief’sCHATgroup,hedeliveredacompleteseriesofFridaysermonsdedicatedtogenderissuesandchildprotection.HislecturesincludedanIslamicperspectiveonwomen’sandchildren’srights;violenceagainstwomenandchildren;therolesandresponsibilitiesofhusbands,fathersandcaretakers;parentalskillsandthepositivediscipliningofchildren.

Furthermore,MolviMohammedencourageddiscussionsonsensitiveissuesthatwererarelydiscussedinpublic.Duringhissessionshedealtwiththreecasesofphysicalviolencewhichhehandledwithsensitivityandconfidentiality.MolviMohammednowencouragesotherfaithleaderstoplayanactiveroleinadvocatingonGBVandCPissues.

Allocatingemergencyfundsforurgentcases

AllocatingemergencyfundstoprovideurgentprotectionandtreatmenttothoseaffectedbyGBVandchildabusewasseenasalifesavingaspectoftheprojectbystaffinallthreelocations.Theprojectenabledourcountryofficestodevelopprocessestooperationalisethisfundandprovideassistancebeyondreferrals.BothMaliandNigerwereabletoutilisethisfundandprovideassistanceto39survivors,whichexceededtheproject’saimof15survivorspercountry.InPakistanhoweverissuesofsocialstigmameantthatviolenceandabusewasnotreportedoftenenough,sofewsurvivors(only5)cameforwardtorequestfunds.Wethereforeneedtodedicatemoretimeandefforttoencouragereportingbecauseitisevidentthatacommunity’ssilenceonGBVdiscouragessurvivorsfromseekingsupport.Learningpoint6:

• EnsurefundsforemergencyinterventioncanbeutilisedItisimportantforprojectsthataddressGBVandCPissuestohaveavailablefundsandresourcestodealwithurgentcasesthatmaybereported.However,itisalsoimportanttodevelopstrategiesthatencouragesurvivorstospeakupandseekhelp.Howtheemergencyfundsareused,andhowmuchisrequired,arerelativetoeachcontext.Forexample,inNigertherearenosafehomesforGBVandCPsurvivorsinthelocationswhereourprojectwasimplementedsoouremergencyfundwasusedtosupportfamiliesfosteringorshelteringsurvivors.

•

21

ImpactoftheprojectThisprojectreportsanumberofindividualcasestudieswhereIslamicRelief’sinterventionhasmadealife-changingdifferencetopeople’slives.Onawidercommunitylevel,theprojectisrecentlycompletedanditsimpactisstillbeingassessedfortheforthcomingmonitoringandevaluationreport.WhatisapparentevenatthisstageisthatthisprojecttriggeredbothinternalandexternalinitiativesonGBVandCP.DiscussiononboththeseissuesarenowmoreopenamongstIslamicRelief’sinterventioncommunities,andstakeholdersarenowmorewillingtoengage.Themostapparentchangesinthetargetedcommunitiesinclude:

§ LocaladvocacyaroundGBVistakingplacewithsupportforregisteringcasesofabuse§ Thereispositiveengagementfromfaithleaderswhoarespeakingoutagainstharmfulpractices§ Sensitisingworkshopswerewell-receiveddespiteaddressingdifficulttopicssuchasEFMandFGM/C

“InDouentzaandGourmaRharous,thecommunitydenouncesGBVmorevocallyandisreadytoregistercases.”

SandrineTadonki,ProtectionOfficer,IslamicReliefMali

“”DiscussiononGBVandCPisnowveryapparentamongstfaithleaderswhichcanleadtochange.”

SyedHaiderShah,ProtectionOfficer,IslamicReliefPakistan

“Thosewhoattendedworkshopshavecommittedtochangingtheircommunities’behaviouronearlyandforcedmarriage,girls’educationandviolenceagainstwomen.”

BabaryHamaganiMaimouna,ProtectionOfficer,IslamicReliefNiger.

22

• CaseStudy:

Anabusedchild’ssurvivalstoryMahamadou6isanine-year-oldboyfromNigerwholivedwithfatherandstepmotherafterhisparentsgotdivorced.Hisstepmotherwouldregularlybeatandscoldhimanddeprivehimoffood.Oneday,MahamadouranawayandwasreportedmissingtotheChildProtectiondepartmentinLoga.Mahamadouwasfoundinthemarket,sniffingnarcoticdrugs,wearingdirtyclothesandbearingphysicalwounds.Hesaidhehadbeenphysicallyabusedbystrangersandotherchildreninthestreet,butthislifewasstillpreferabletogoingbackhome."Hereinthemarket,Ifeelathome,”hesaid.“IdowhatIwant,IeatwhatIwantandthereisno-onetoscoldmeallthetime.”

MahamadoureceivedpsychologicaltherapyandsupportthroughIslamicRelief’sreferralpathways.Overtimehebecamearegularinattendingcommunitysessions.Heagreedtolivewithhisgrandparentsandenrolatschool.HealsoreferredotherstreetchildrentoIslamicRelief,advisingthemtoseekhelp.OneofMahamadou’sfriendswhocameforwardforprotectionsupporttoldIslamicRelief,“Ialsowanttohavebeautifulclothesandaschoolbag.IwantaroofovermyheadsoIcansleepawayfromtheattackersonthestreets.”

6Namehasbeenchangedtoprotectthechild’sidentity

23

ChallengesinimplementationBuildingtrust

IslamicReliefhadestablishedtrustandloyaltywithbeneficiariesinallthreecountries,whichwascrucialinallowingustoraisesensitiveissues.However,insomeareas,especiallyinruralNiger,thecommunity’sperceptionandexperienceofNGOsworkingonGBVissueswasnotalwaysbeenpositive.NGOsareoftenperceivedasexternalorganisationsthatarechallengingthecommunity’scultureandtraditions.OureffortstobuildawarenessanduseCHATgroupstoensureinterventionislocalisedwasessentialinsecuringourpositionasatrustworthyNGO.

Capacityofstaff

IslamicReliefstaffinallthreecountriesarecommitted,professionalandskilledinmobilisingtheircommunities.However,theirawarenessandcapacitiesindealingwithGBVandCPissueswaslimitedandcouldnotbefullydevelopedduetoalackofhumanandfinancialresources.

Consistencyofdocumentation

Throughimplementingthisprojectwerealisedtheneedforstandardisingreferralprocessesandensuringconsistencyindocumentationbetweenourcountryoffices.TechnicaladvisorsfromIRWhelpedcountryofficestaffbuildsomeoftheirowntemplatesandprocedures.ItwasalsoessentialforIRWtocapturesex,ageanddisabilitysegregateddata(SADDD).However,itwasdifficulttoanalysedisabilitydataforthisprojectbecausemostoftheactivitieswererelatedtocapacity-building,awareness-raising,coordinationandpartnerships.CapturingSADDDfromthestartoftheprojectremainsanareaforimprovementinallcountryoffices.

Integrityofdata

Thedatacollectiontoolsusedinthisprojectvariedbetweeninterviews,questionnairesandfocusgroupdiscussions.Questionnaireswereusefulforcollectingsector-specificinformationandensuredanonymityandflexibilityforrespondents.However,somequestionswereansweredambiguouslyornotatallanditwasdifficulttoprobefurtherorrevisitrespondents.Thisjeopardisedtheintegrityofthedataandmeantourstaffhadtoputinextraefforttoensuredatarepresentation.Focusgroupdiscussionsallowedinformationtobegatheredbyspecificgroupsofmen,women,boysandgirls,andtheirviewsonGBVandCPweremeasuredagainsttheirpeers.Despitestaff’sawarenessofthe‘ladderofparticipation,’itisverylikelythatgroupanswerswereinfluencedbythemostoutspokenparticipants.Individualinterviewshelpedgaugetheviewsoflessvocalparticipants.

24

Lessonsforthefuture

MainstreamGBVandCPtraining

IslamicReliefbelievesthatwiththecorrecttraining,allhumanitarianfieldworkerscanplayaroleinlocaladvocacyandcapacity-building,alongsidetheirexistingresponsibilities.ThroughimplementingthisprojectitbecameevidentGBVandCPneedstobeintegratedintoallaidinterventionprogrammes.However,werecognisethatthereisstillasignificantgapinorganisationalawarenessoftheseissues,bothatnationalandlocallevels.TrainingonGBVandCPneedstoemphasisethattacklingtheseissuessupportstheoutcomesofotherprogrammesbyensuringthedignity,wellbeingandresilienceofourbeneficiaries.WeneedtobuildthecapacityofmanagerialstafftounderstandthebenefitsofincorporatingGBVandCPintotheirprogrammesandprovidetrainingintheminimumsectoralstandardsfordealingwithGBVandCP.Inparticular,weneedtoincreasetrainingforfemalecountrystaffsotheycanbedeployedashighlyskilledexpertswhendealingwithfemalebeneficiariesincommunitycontexts.Furthermore,GBVandCPtrainingandcapacity-buildingneedstobeexpandedtoreachpublicsectorworkersespeciallythoseworkinginmedical,legalandpoliceinstitutions.

Assessattheoutsetandcollectdata

Monitoringandevaluationtemplatesshouldbepreparedatanearlystagetocapturelearningandtrackinformationfromtheoutsetoftheproject.Thiscanhelpbuildthecaseforeffectiveapproaches,whichwillguidefutureprojectsaswellashelpattractstrategicfunding.Inaddition,baselineassessmentsshouldincludestaffperceptionsandunderstandingofGBVandCP.Goingonestepfurther,aglobalanonymousstaffsurveyontheirperceptions,knowledgeandattitudesonGBVandCPwouldbeusefultohelpcaptureprioritythemesthatneedtobeaddressedineachcountryandlocation.

Itisalsoimportanttocollectanddisaggregatedatabyatleastsex,age,disabilityandgeographytoensureinclusiveoperationsthroughouttheprojectcycle.Collectingdataateverystageinthedesignandimplementationofaprojectallowsactivitiestobeadjustedaccordingly.Themoredisaggregateddataavailable,theeasieritistoassesstheimpactofintervention.ThisalsosupportsmeetingtheinternationalcommitmentsofSustainableDevelopmentGoals,andtheWorldHumanitarianSummitinparticularthe‘LeaveNoOneBehind’.

Incorporateeconomicempowerment

OurexperienceinimplementingthisprojectinMalishowedthatitisessentialtogiveGBVsurvivorslivelihoodopportunitiesthatdecreasetheirvulnerabilitytoviolence,buildtheirconfidenceandhelpthemsurvivewithastablesourceofincome.Economicempowermentisoneofthemosteffectivewaysofpreventingandrespondingtoviolenceinatransformativeway.IslamicReliefiscommittedtocontinueprogrammesthatpromotegender-justeconomicandeducationalopportunities.

25

Buildpartnershipsandmobiliseresources

GBVandchildabusepracticesaredeeply-rooted,sensitiveissuesthatcanonlybetackledthroughaholisticapproachinvolvingindividuals,families,communitiesandsocieties,aswellasaidagencies,donors,localpartners,civilsocietyinstitutionsandgovernments.Thisapproachshouldalsoconsiderstrongpartnershipsandmobilisingresourceswithrelevantstakeholdersandserviceproviderssuchasmassmedia,academiaandfaithleaderstospreadawarenessonGBVandCP.IslamicReliefwillcontinuetobuildpartnershipsandimprovecoordinationbetweenallprotectionactors.Oneofourprioritiesandareasofexpertiseistoworkwithreligiousleaderswhomwefoundtobethemosteffectiveindismantlingreligiousandculturalmisconceptionsthatperpetuategenderinjustice,GBVandchildabuse.Hence,weaimtoincreaseourengagementwithreligiousleadersinorganisationalandcommunitycapacity-buildingandlocaladvocacy,whilerecognisingthegrowingneedtoalsoengagefemaleswithauthoritativereligiousknowledge.

26

Recommendationsfordonorsandpartners

Investinlong-termprogrammes

Thisone-yearprojectallowedustoinitiatediscussionsandmakeaninitialimpactinpromotingcommunityownershipoftheissuesbutbehaviouralchangerequiresalonger-termstrategy.Alongerprojecttimeframeofatleasttwotothreeyearswouldbemoreeffectivewhenadvocatingforchangeandmakingasustainablepositiveimpact.ThiswouldalsoallowGBVandCPawarenesstobemainstreamedamongstcorestaffintheregion,notjustonasingleprojectbasis.OneexampleofwhythisisbeneficialisthecaseofIslamicReliefNiger,whohadGBVandCPfocalpointsbeforethisprojectbegansotheyincludedboththesecomponentsinalltheirproposalsqualitycriteria,templatesandreports.

IslamicReliefcallsondonorstoinvestinlong-termprogrammesthatallowimplementingagenciestomainstreamGBVandCPinalltheiractivitiesandpromotesustainablebehaviourchangeintargetcommunities.

Mainstreamdatacollectionandtraining

InadditiontospecificGBVandCPfocussedprojects,itisimportantthatdonorsmainstreamGBVandCPawarenessanddatacollectioninallrelevantfundedprogrammes.Anemphasisshouldbeplacedonthecollectionanddisaggregationofdatabyatleastsex,ageanddisabilityinallprogrammes.ForGBVandCPissuestobewidelyaddressed,aninvestmentneedstobemadeinbuildingthecapacityofNGOstaffthroughappropriateGBVandCPtrainingthatalsoinvolvesthepublicandprivatesector,academiaandotherstakeholders.

IslamicReliefcallsondonorstomainstreamGBVandCPawarenessinalltheirfundedprogrammes,ensuredisaggregateddataiscollectedandprovidetrainingtokeystakeholders.

Advocateatalllevelsofsociety

OneofthelessonsfromtheplanningstageofthisprojectwasthatGBVandCPactivitiesshouldbedesignedatagrassrootsleveliftheyaretobeappropriatetothecontextandimplementedeffectively.Advocacyonacommunityleveliscriticalforensuringmobilisationandsustainabilityofinterventions.However,itisequallyimportanttoadvocateonapolicylevelforpoliticalandlegalcommitmentsthatwillcreateconduciveenvironmentsforgenderjusticeandchildprotection.

IslamicReliefcallsonpartnersandallstakeholdersworkingonGBVandCPissuestosharebestpracticeandcoordinateadvocacyeffortsineachregion,aswellascampaignforchangeattheglobalhumanitarianlevel.

27

DuringoneofIslamicRelief’sworkshopsonwomen’sandchildren’srights,this15-year-oldgirltoldusshecouldnolongergotoschoolbecauseshehasreducedmobilityinherlegs.Herteacherdidnotwanthertodropoutofschoolasthiswouldfurtherlimitheropportunitiesinlife.

IslamicRelief’sMalistaffandthelocalcommunityinDouentzagottogetherandraisedfundstobuyheratricycle.Itwasalife-changingmomentforonegirl,andashiftinattitudestogirls’educationforanentirecommunity.

76

Islamic Relief Worldwide

19 Rea Street South

Birmingham

B5 6LB

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 121 605 5555

Fax: +44 121 622 5003

[email protected]

www.islamic-relief.org

Registered Charity No. 328158

Registered Company No. 02365572