A Lessons Learned Workshop was coordinated by IPPF/SARO in February 2008 where FPAN and FPAB together with in-country partners were able to discuss and share key project learning. These lessons are of relevance to any initiative, whether governmental or non-governmental, that seeks to contribute to a reduction in the incidence of GBV.

Display of Project literature

Participants discussing the achievements of the Project

A snap shot of key lessons learned are noted below.

• Healthcare providers are extremely well placed to address GBV because of the frequency with which women use SRH services. The integration of activities to address GBV within a SRH and rights framework was innovative and has worked extremely well for a number of reasons. Ongoing training and strong institutional commitment helped to sustain motivation of service providers to work in a sensitive and difficult area.
• It is essential to ensure the safety and security of providers. This concern was highlighted during the Mid Term review Workshop and certain measures were taken to ensure safety and security of staff taking into account budgetary constraints. For example, scooters were and mobile phones were provided to outreach staff. 
• Strategic partnerships are necessary to provide holistic services to survivors. The causes of violence against women and their effects are varied and complex and successful interventions must reflect this variety and complexity of need. Strong partnerships were the key to project success in providing holistic support to survivors and this has proved to be essential in reaching out to both primary and secondary beneficiaries successfully.
• A multi-sectoral approach ensures comprehensive service delivery. Such an approach recognises the constraints of a single-agency ‘one size fits all’ approach where the needs of survivors go far beyond SRH and medical care. Broad based community engagement with civil society groups in project implementation at all levels (e.g. local, district and national) makes cost effective use of resources whilst promoting sustainable locally owned strategies.
• A strong gender and rights based perspective should inform all aspects of any intervention on GBV. This perspective that infused the project was the key to broadening the understanding and ways of working and helped stakeholders move beyond the sexual and reproductive health/family planning approach. However, entrenched values and attitudes resulting from cultural taboos around sex and sexuality made it difficult for the GBV Project to address issues of sexual violence.

A group photo of the participants