Engaging Faith Leaders and Communities in SGBV prevention

In the majority of humanitarian crisis situations we see a strong increase of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), whilst humanitarian responses generally show a lack of effective SGBV prevention and response interventions, let alone interventions that envision social norms change.

Taking an effective and tested community based model for SGBV prevention and response, implemented previously by Tearfund in a rather stable area in the DRC, this pilot seeks to adapt this approach to humanitarian contexts. Adaptations focus on implementing the approach in settings with less social cohesion and people on the move, within a shorter timeframe and monitored by communities themselves through participatory story-based approaches.

The innovation project is implemented in 2 regions and targets 15 communities in North Kivu (Kitshanga health zone) and 15 communities in South Kivu (Miti Murghese health zone): both conflict affected humanitarian zones, with Kitshanga hosting a significant number of IDPs amongst the population.