Comprehensive responses to gender-based violence in low-resource settings: Lessons learned from implementation

From 2006-2009 the Population Council undertook a program of technical assistance and research to strengthen the evidence base on gender-based violence (SGBV) programming in Sub-Saharan Africa. This project created an active network of implementers and researchers across sub-Saharan Africa all of whom were charged with developing implementing and evaluating core elements of a comprehensive multisectoral model for strengthening responses for survivors of SGBV especially survivors of sexual violence. The comprehensive model includes health criminal justice and psychosocial services required by survivors and works to strengthen the linkages between these sectors. Seven organizations in six countries (Zambia South Africa Kenya Malawi Zimbabwe Ethiopia and Senegal) partnered with the Population Council to implement the comprehensive model in part or in whole and an additional thirteen organizations actively participated in the South-South technical assistance network. Based on the experiences of these partners this document reviews the findings lessons learned and promising practices in the provision of comprehensive SGBV services in sub-Saharan Africa. It draws on the data generated by the network partners to identify core issues in the provision of quality comprehensive care for survivors of SGBV. These findings are intended to serve as a resource for programmers and policymakers throughout the region and contribute to the emerging evidence-base on such program strategies. The document also offers a framework of validated indicators for monitoring and evaluating comprehensive SGBV programs and provides reflections on successes in facilitating south-south technical assistance among network partners. (Excerpts)