A case study comparison of engaging community activists to prevent gender-based violence in Peru and Rwanda

ABSTRACT

Community mobilisation is recognised as an important strategy to shift inequitable gender norms and ensure an enabling environment to prevent gender-based violence (GBV). Yet there is a need to better understand the factors that facilitate effective community activism in particular contexts. Although fundamental to the success of mobilisation programmes, there is also limited appreciation of the experiences and agency of engaged community activists. This paper draws on qualitative evaluations from two community mobilisation GBV prevention programmes: the Gender Violence in the Amazon of Peru (GAP) Project and the Indashyikirwa programme in Rwanda. In Peru, participatory data was collected, in addition to baseline and endline interviews with 8 activists. In Rwanda, baseline and endline interviews and observations were conducted with 12 activists, and interviews were conducted with 8 staff members. The data was thematically analysed, and a comparative case study approach was applied to both data sets. The comparative study identified similar programmatic aspects that could hinder or enable activist’s engagement and development, and how these are embedded within contextual social and structural factors. We discuss these insights in reference to the current emphasis in public health on individualistic programming, with insufficient attention to how wider environments influence violence prevention programming.

KEYWORDS:

• Community activism
• intimate partner violence
• agency

Acknowledgements

The evaluation of Indashyikirwa in Rwanda was conducted as part of the What Works to Prevent Violence? A Global Programme on Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), which was funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) UK Government and managed by the South African Medical Research Council. The time spent by the first and fourth authors analysing the data and writing this paper was funded by Wellspring Philanthropic Fund. The authors are grateful for the input and support from CARE International Rwanda; RWARMEC; and RWN, and the participants who shared their experiences with us. The GAP Project in Peru was a collaborative partnership between University College London, DB Peru, and the local team of promotores. Funding was provided by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative and World Bank Group under the Innovations to Prevent Gender-based Violence scheme. The authors are deeply grateful for the participation of the LNR communities and leaders in the GAP Project, and for their commitment to addressing GBV.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The evaluation of Indashyikirwa in Rwanda was conducted as part of the What Works to Prevent Violence? A Global Programme on Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), which was funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) UK Government and managed by the South African Medical Research Council. The time spent by the first and fourth authors analysing the data and writing this paper was funded by the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund. Funding was provided by the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) and World Bank Group under the Innovations to Prevent Gender-based Violence scheme.