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The GBV Project

Working towards Safe Motherhood in South Asia: Combating gender based violence during pregnancy in Nepal and Bangladesh 

Between 2004 and 2008, IPPF SARO implemented the project, 'Working towards Safe Motherhood in South Asia: Combating gender based violence during pregnancy in Nepal and Bangladesh'. The project was designed and implemented on the premise that women's inequality is a key obstacle to development and a major cause of social injustice and that gender discrimination is the most widespread form of social exclusion. This webpage is devoted to the results of this project and the lessons learned from its implementation.

Goal

To improve women's sexual and reproductive rights and improve maternal health and well-being.

Purpose

To reduce the incidence of GBV during the pregnancy through awareness raising at the grassroots level, the institutionalisation of best practice models in sexual and reproductive health service provsion and advocacy for national policy reform.

Outputs
  1. Increased capacity of Family Planning Associations in Bangladesh and Nepal to protect the rights of pregnant women who experience GBV and to advocate against GBV during pregnancy.
  2. Women and girls are empowered to advocate for their rights
  3. Governments including law enforcement agencies are engaged in policy debate to protect and uphold the women's rights and prevent GBV.
  4. Increased knowledge about institutionalisation of best practice models within Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) providers.

The GBV project was based on a similar project implemented by IPPF Western Hemisphere Region (WHR). To read more about the WHR project click here.

The project was supported by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) under their Civil Society Challenge Fund. The overall project goal was to improve women's sexual and reproductive health and well-being. Specific project objectives aimed to protect the rights of women who are at risk of or are experiencing gender based violence (GBV) with a specific focus on pregnant women.

The Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) and the Family Planning Association of Bangladesh (FPAB) were the implementing partners for the project. To read more about FPAN and FPAB, click here. The project was implemented at four sites in Bangladesh and five sites in Nepal. Click here to see the project sites.

The project revolved around the training of healthcare providers to identify women vulnerable to or experiencing violenve. Women were provided with access to health care and other essential services including legal and financial advice. A comprehensive empowerment programme supported women in negotiating a lige gree of violence and coercion. Women were also provided with direct economic assistance in the form of loans, skills building and assistance in establishing small business for income generation. Survivor support groups and community groups were also created that intervened to prevent violence and to spread awareness on the issue of gender based violence.

Evaluation findings show that a strong gender and rights approach has contributed to protecting the entitlements and rights of women at risk of GBV, especially during pregnancy - altogether over 69000 women were identifies as experiencing violence and provided with support services in both countries. The project has resulted in increased awareness of different stakeholders that violence against women is unacceptable, that women have the right to live without fear of violence or coercion and that the State has a responsibility to uphold these fundamental human rights. By promoting gender equality, empowering women and improving maternal health, the project overall has contributed to the Millennium Development Goals.

Activities Implemented

  • Baseline survey conducted to measure the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of front-line service providers in Bangladesh and Nepal towards GBV. For a synopsis of the findings, please click here.
  • Front-line service providers in Bangladesh and Nepal trained to identify the links between GBV and SRHR; provide counselling and support to women at risk of or experiencing GBV; and utilise a new screening protocol.
  • Partnershipsestablished with range of agencies to provide back up support services e.g. legal advice, emergency shelter, skills development.
  • IEC/BCCmaterials developed, including posters and fact sheets on GBV, for different target groups including an essay contest for college students, and street theatre performances.
  • Survivor's Support Groups (SSGs) formed and linked empowerment and skills development programmes.
  • Micro-credit fund for survivors established.
  • National level advocacy activities to raise awareness about the project and the links between SRHR and GBV with policy makers, the judiciary and local and national media.
  • HUQ, the biennial GBV newsletter, produced and distributed in both countries.
  • Endline surveys.

    Project Timeline

    2004

    • Resource Mapping Exercise
    • Development of work plans
    • Staff recruitment
    • Selection of operational areas.

    2005

    • Monitoring and Evaluation Workshop, 29-31 January 2005, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
    • Baseline Surveys conducted in both the countries
    • Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Strategy Planning Workshops, 2005
    • GBV trainings held in both the countries
    • Formalisation of partnerships
    • Development and introduction of comprehensive screening protocols
    • Publication and circulation of Project Newsletter-HUQ starts
    • Introduction of counselling protocols
    • Creation of Survivor Support Groups (SSGs) commences
    • Preparation of recording formats
    • Screening of women to identify survivors of violence attending project clinics and through outreach services commences.

    2006

    • Regional Mid-term Review Workshop, Nepal, 2006
    • Screening of survivors continues
    • Ongoing training of service providers
    • Creation og Community based groups in both countries
    • Number of SSGs increases
    • Micro-credit programmes planned, developed and commenced. Loans are disbursed to survivors.
    • Advocacy work commences with community leaders, religious leaders, government
    • National level advocacy takes place in both the countries.

    2007

    • Front-line service providers in Bangladesh and Nepal provide counselling and support to women at risk of or experiencing GBV.
    • Partnerships and referrals
    • IEC/BCC materials distributed, essay contests aand street theatre performances held.
    • Survivors' support groups continue to be formed.
    • Loans continue to be disbursed to survivors.
    • National level advocacy activities held with policy makers, the judiciary, journalists, etc.
    • HUQ, the biennial GBV newsletter, produced and distributed in both the countries.

    2008

    • Endline evaluations conducted in both the countries to measure the project impact
    • Lessons Learned Workshop, Nepal, 2008.

     


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