Gender-based violence prevention and response project in the Horn of Africa (GBV-HoA)

High rates of gender-based violence prevail in the Horn of Africa, exacerbated by conflict, climate change, economic and other pressures. These factors expose women, girls, men, and boys to greater risk of violence, as shown by the recent increase in the number of people requiring protection and gender-based violence assistance in Somalia, the Somali Region of Ethiopia, and North-Eastern Kenia. Harmful practices (i.e. female genital mutilation, child, early, and forced marriage), and other negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes such as early and unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, HIV, and sexually transmitted diseases remain high risks. Deeply entrenched patriarchal norms underpin gender inequality, compounded by lack of access to services in hard-to-reach areas.

To better protect survivors, especially women and girls at risk of gender-based violence, a community-based, phased approach working with community representatives, formal and informal institutions, gender-based violence service providers, law enforcement and judicial systems, and government authorities at various levels within the social-ecological sphere is required for lasting and sustainable change.

- Survivors of gender-based violence, and girls, women and children at risk of violence, about 55,000 in number;

- 40 Local Women-Led Organizations and specialized service providers, such as One-Stop Centres, safe spaces, safehouses;

- Men and boys as agents of change through school clubs and traditional and/or religious leaders

- Practitioners, government institutions and policy makers working across other programmatic sectors.

• Women, men, girls, and boys have heightened ability to recognise, prevent, report, and address gender-based violece;

• Government institutions, formal and informal women-led organizations at national and local levels deliver improved quality gender-based violence prevention and reponse;

Resultados previstos:  

- Women-led organizations, formal institutions and service providers have increased capacity to contribute to the provision of services and advocate for gender equality and rights of survivors.

- Women and girls are empowered and organize themselves to claim their protection rights and have improved agency to make decisions.

- Traditional institutions increasingly engage in prevention and response to gender-based violence, and local governments operationalise policies and guidelines.

Resultados de las fases anteriores:  

• Partner Risk Assessment for Plan International offices and NAFIS network (sub-contractor for Plan International in Somalia), Ethiopia, and Kenya;

• Finalisation of capacity assessment and selection of the women-led organizations in Somalia, Southeastern Ethiopia and Northeastern Kenya;

• Service mapping (including referral pathways and traditional and customary institutions) for gender-based violence survivors, and gender analysis conducted in the project target areas.