Source: Relief Web
For almost 20 years, international aid organisation CARE has addressed the causes of gender-based violence and its effect on survivors in both conflict and stable development settings. A new report, Challenging Gender-based Violence Worldwide analyses the impact of this work and how to build momentum to end the cycle of violence.

The global report reviews CARE’s work to tackle GBV based on 50 program evaluations carried out from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2013. It includes CARE’s three-pronged approach to fighting GBV, case studies on successful programs from around the world, and results from a survey that canvasses CARE’s partner and allies’ views on the impact of CARE’s anti-GBV programs. 

CARE International’s Program Director and author of Challenging Gender-based Violence Worldwide, Sofia Sprechmann, said the report came about because CARE wanted to contribute to finding solutions and better ways for obtaining more accurate data about the approaches that have greatest success in tackling GBV.

“Studies show that GBV is one of the most widespread human rights abuses in the world. Globally one in three women will be raped, beaten, coerced into sex or abused in her life time,” said Ms Sprechmann.

“GBV limits women and girls’ access to basic services such as health and education, as well as livelihood opportunities and participation in political life. Threats, harassment, physical violence or fear of violence constrain women’s and girls’ life choices. This cycle of violence can – and must – change.”

In 2013, CARE responded to GBV in 61 countries. In 23 focus countries, CARE reached nearly 320,000 people with actions to address GBV and reached another 800,000 people through strategies such as advocacy and media campaigns.

Some of CARE’s most successful anti-GBV programs are in sub-Saharan Africa, where staff work in countries like Burundi and Uganda to address violence at home, to engage men and boys as champions of change and to mobilise community action against GBV. In Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, CARE and partners support services for survivors of GBV and work with coalitions and networks to advocate for policy change in line with international agreements for addressing GBV.

Ms Sprechmann said, “CARE and our partners have made great strides in addressing GBV, but more work is needed to engage individuals, communities and institutions in violence prevention and reaching survivors with appropriate services.”

Download the full report here.