Ending Violence Against Women: an Oxfam Guide

ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN An oxfam Guide

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM i ii OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women Contents Why do we work on Violence against women? ……………………………………………………………… 3 What is Violence against women? …………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Key Concepts: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4 What Are the Causes of Violence against women? ……………………………………………… 5 What Does oxfam Do to End Violence against women? ………………………………………………… 7 A Priority Theme for Oxfam ……………………………………………………………………………………… 7 A Rights-Based, Transformative Approach …………………………………………………………… 8 What does “rights-based and transformative” mean in practice? ……………………… 9 Transforming Attitudes and Social norms ………………………………………………………………11 tracking Change ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14 Theories of Change ……………………………………………………………………………………………………14 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL): ……………………………………………………………18 Examples from Oxfam programs: ………………………………………………………………………………19 What Can I Do to End Violence against women? ………………………………………………………… 20 Oxfam Programs …………………………………………………………………………………………………………20 Inside Oxfam ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………21 Suggestions for Monitoring …………………………………………………………………………………………… 25 Implementation of the Oxfam Guide on Ending Violence against women ……………25 Questions and Indicators …………………………………………………………………………………………25 Processes for Monitoring and Experience-Sharing ………………………………………………26 Annexes …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 27 Resources …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………27 Key Oxfam Internal documents …………………………………………………………………………………27 Other key resources …………………………………………………………………………………………………27 The Oxfam International Statement on GBV/VAW …………………………………………………………28 Statement on Support to a Transformative Approach to Ending GBV and VAW ……28 The Oxfam Policy Compendium on GBV/VAW …………………………………………………………………31 2. Oxfam’s thematic policy positions on gender equality and women’s rights ……31 2.1 Violence against women and Girls ……………………………………………………………………31

Key oxfam policy documents and What is Violence Against Women? Why does it happen? What does it have to do with more comprehensive resources, such development? What does Oxfam do to end violence against women? What does it as the UN WoMEN Virtual Knowledge mean to do that work with a transformative approach? Centre to End Violence against women “Ending Violence Against Women: A Guide for Oxfam Staff” is a resource for Oxfam and Girls, are listed in the annex. (www.oxfam.org) staff to inform and inspire their work, and to share with partners. It can be read and consulted individually – or used for discussion with peers. discussion. While the guide is directed towards internal Oxfam staff, it is available for external distribution as well. This booklet was compiled by Michaela Raab. The guide was commissioned by the Oxfam Gender Justice Program Development and Support Group (GJ PDS), which provides operational leadership and support to the development of gender justice programming and the strengthening of gender justice perspectives and processes in through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)

Ending violence against women is everyone’s responsibility. -UNITED NATIONS SECRETARy-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON IN AN INTERVIEW ON hIS ” WORLD-WIDE UNITE CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN” (2010) Violence against women and girls (VAW) is one of the most rampant human rights violations. According to United Nations estimates, one in three women world-wide has experienced physical or sexual violence because she is a woman1. Violence remind governments of their responsibility to protect women’s is a major obstacle to women’s and girls’ development, and to the welfare and development of their communities and societies as a whole. government had violated the rights of three young women and their family by failing to prevent their murder. Several binding human rights treaties prohibit violence against women. Key international treaties are: Further reAding A full overview of international and national legislation to end violence against women and girls is available from the for a detailed menu. a human rights violation and a major obstacle to human violence against women and understand its main causes. combating violence against women and domestic violence peace building

4 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women What is Violence against women?

KEy CoNCEptS prostitution; women, men and intersex persons (i.e. people who combine characteristics and roles that societies attribute to women and by societies. Violence is the deliberate use of force or power which limit women and girls in achieving their full potential, to hurt someone. Hence, gender-based violence is the use both personally and for the whole society. For example, laws or of power to enforce gender norms. For example, a husband traditions that exclude women from owning land are structural might beat his wife because his society has brought him up to be lethal: for example, girls in South Asia run a much higher societies, a mother might have her daughter’s genitals cut among other reasons because their parents tend to give them less nutritious food, health care and attention2. Oxfam subscribes to the united nations sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. Violence against women shall be understood to encompass, because they behave differently from the way their society but not be limited to, the following: focuses on violence against women and girls, as many more women are affected by gender-based violence than men. family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation; roles and to learn that a man does not need to be violent to within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse,

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 5 WhAt ArE thE CAUSES of VIolENCE AGAINSt WoMEN? employs staff from indigenous groups in their centers, women and girls are overtly or implicitly considered to be understood and can obtain the services and solidarity they need. Women who are in police custody often face harassment and expectations societies have of men and women. exercise: Think of the forms of violence against women that are common in your own country. What do they have to do with power and with the expectations of your society from women and men, girls and boys respectively? minority and migrant women in the United Kingdom (UK) who Depending on a woman’s or a girl’s situation, she may be more experience domestic violence. It achieved a victory when the UK government announced that from April 2012 women who can demonstrate they have suffered domestic violence would aspects of women’s and girls’ lives that may heighten or lower be protected as refugees and allowed to stay in the UK. girls, those living in poverty or in war, and women and girls with disabilities experience different forms of violence that may increase or deepen gender-based violence, and reduce the survivors’ chances to get support. having sex with men, and others. exercise: Think of the female population in a place that you know well – it could be an area (for example a district) where Oxfam works, or simply the neighborhood that you live in. Look for differences: who are the women and girls that face more discrimination than others, and what are the reasons? Who are the women and girls that are the least visible, and why? Are there any women who are privileged in some respects, and why? List the different sources of discrimination or privilege you have found (e.g. “income”, “marital status”, “age”, “skin colour”, “caste”, “physical ability”). Which of them may increase or reduce the risk of violence, or the chances women and girls can obtain appropriate support in case they experience gender-based violence?

history, ethnicity, age, body features, health status, religion, and other aspects of her own identity and the society she is for different women, in different contexts, and is not the only source of power imbalance and violence.

6 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women What Does Oxfam Do to End Violence against Women?

A prIorIty thEME for oxfAM Oxfam envisions a safe and just world where women and girls hands. Oxfam funds such services throughout the world, and are in control of their lives and live free from violence. Violence against women must end, because: condoning violence against women (for example the women’s and girls’ ability to lead a normal life, obtain wives and daughters). Sensitisation meetings, peer the education they need, earn a living, develop their own education by community volunteers, community theatre, violence against women do not get support in their efforts communication are commonly used in such campaigns. psycho-social, health and legal services tend to be few of education programs that strengthen girls’ capacity to protect themselves and claim their rights. they hold survivors responsible for their ordeal. As a result, debilitated by crippling health conditions such as chronic violence against women. and men, girls and boys. Violence against women, described sure women participate in planning and implementing crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into humanitarian interventions. their own future and from contributing to wider social empowerment programs and in primary education, and by development. Oxfam has supported a wide spectrum of efforts to end violence against women, including: policies, so that women’s rights are enshrined in national resources and opportunities. All these interventions are based on Oxfam’s rights-based and transformative approach. as other organisations that support women’s rights, to

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 7 A rIGhtS-BASED, trANSforMAtIVE Transformation means fundamental, lasting changes ApproACh just temporary improvements in some women’s lives. Oxfam believes that ending violence is possible if: that everyone has fundamental rights that must be upheld at Women and girls learn to end violence in their own implementation prevent of these basic rights. lives and to claim their and punish VAW, and rights ensure survivors obtain Oxfam considers a multi-layered approach to be the support they need transformational, in that this approach promotes change at = individual empowerment individual and collective, legislative-political and social levels. = well implemented laws and policies Associations, movements Societies say no to and other social groups gender-based violence defend women’s and girls’ = change in social norms solutions in each context. rights to a life in safety = collective empowerment

approach Is participatory, recognising that all people, including those World-wide, many survivors of violence against women do not living in poverty, have a right to shape their own development and the public decisions that affect them accountable violent partner arrested Is holistic, recognising that poverty has economic, social, In rape cases, the survivor might be rejected by her society if cultural and political causes and effects whose duty it is to enforce laws own, informed choice. development goals and international human rights law

8 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women Laura Eldon/Oxfam

Women and girls learn to end violence in their own implementation prevent lives and to claim their and punish VAW, and rights ensure survivors obtain the support they need = individual empowerment = well implemented laws and policies

Associations, movements Societies say no to and other social groups gender-based violence defend women’s and girls’ = change in social norms rights to a life in safety = collective empowerment

WhAt DoES “rIGhtS-BASED AND trANSforMAtIVE” MEAN IN prACtICE? organisations on awareness-raising and advocacy on women’s participate in national campaigns. Oxfam’s rights-based, transformative approach strengthens women and girls in their efforts to end violence, by mobilising conversation groups. Among other topics, these groups individually and collectively. example is Alemitu, a widow who made her living carrying out genital cutting. Alemitu gave up cutting after the community female members monitor violence against women and members that enabled her to start a trading business. on women’s rights, they advise local authorities on strategies cases.

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 9 Oxfam builds on its long history of supporting women’s trANSforMING thE QUAlIty of WorK organisations to strengthen the capacity of women’s WIth SUrVIVorS organisations, their leadership and movement for change through multi-year institutional funding that supports them Women’s organisations around the world have developed empowering ways to support survivors of violence against partnerships, to include newly emerging and young women’s women. Yet, specialised support centres and shelters for organisations with a rights-based and transformative approach. In parallel, Oxfam develops strategic alliances with medical staff and others who are in contact with VAW survivors including organisations led by men, or by both women and men. women lose opportunities to escape violence and to rebuild exercise: Think of a woman or a girl whom you know. their lives. If she experienced violence, how could she stop it? Think Oxfam believes survivors of violence can transform their of her own life history, her special characteristics, her household, her community or communities, her work place or school, government administrations, and the society she lives in: what obstacles would she face at these empowering ways. - portunities to take her life in her own hands? health clinics and schools, that are safe for women and Then, think of a survivor of violence against women who support survivors in a respectful manner. lives in a different situation. Are any of the obstacles and opportunities she faces same as in the previous example? VAW, and their enforcement. Are there any differences, and why? And how can Oxfam programs help to overcome the obstacles survivors face, and offer opportunities for change? successfully advocated for better government policies to end violence against women. Improving police services: In India, Oxfam has negotiated with police departments to allow trained counsellors to sit in police survivors on support services. who experience violence. successfully advocated for the establishment of a national

10 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women Pictures from workbooks of the “We Can” campaign – “patriarchal” (left) vs. “equal” (right) scenes trANSforMING AttItUDES AND SoCIAl NorMS support change in attitudes and social norms, Oxfam and its encouraged millions of women and men, girls and boys, to partners: violence in their own lives, and to convince their families, their many sectors of society men as important agents of change. In cooperation with the discussions at schools, such as discussion sessions and performances. Oxfam supports both women’s organisations and organisations girls and boys, women and men, teachers and students, and that focus on the role of men and boys in ending violence against women. conducts research and advocacy that reminds the government of its responsibility to protect women’s rights, and proposes concrete measures to prevent and address gender-based violence. religious leaders to record radio messages in local languages

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 11 Nombuso Shabalala /Oxfam

WorKING WIth MEN AND BoyS women, but that does not mean that all men are violent. Arguably, most men and boys would prefer to live without violence, and can play an important role to change social and its partners encourage men and boys: were a safe space where young men could discuss their dreams and worries, and learn violence-free ways of dealing with organisations men critically examine the construction of gender norms and

12 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women Tracking Change

thEorIES of ChANGE Since violence against women is deeply rooted in our societies, theories of change. We must verify whether our theories of document our experience and insights for others. Advocates have developed theories for policy change; psychologists have elaborated theories of behavior change, and there are many other theories of change. We can build on existing theories to develop theories of change for Oxfam

Societal change: leaderships & ownership of problem supportive legislation & policies builds its theory of change on the well- responsive services established ecological model of partner mass attitudinal change violence. Community change: experience of partner violence is leaderships & ownership of problem less acceptance embedded in her family situation, her community based interventions community and the wider social context. (For more detail on the ecological model, Family change: respect negotiation & conflict resolution skills happier, healthier families different levels.

Individual change: (see following page) that presents personal belief violence is not OK community advocates & role expected results (outcomes), what models active FSC clients are empowered to make decisions overall aim of reducing family violence.

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 13 More families in Honiara and Western Province are enjoying lives free from violence Long term change (Goal)

s . . s . hey are more aware hey all have better T T Happy family – strong “ long term objective) FSC clients are empowered to make decisions in their lives and families to be free from abuse. of the options and services available to them and are using these services More women are seeking help from police, health and legal services because service providers have changed attitude and no longer treat violence against women as a private matter There is enough public pressure to ensure new anti-violence laws are passed, and these laws other policies are relevant to women’ experiences and needs There is more respect between women & women, women men, and children & their parents. communication & understand the issue of violence: sense of belonging in the family”. “no fear in partnership’. There is increased freedom of movement particularly for young women and girls. “(we) feel safer”. Our husbands, boyfriends, borthers, uncles, fathers, and sons are protecting women from violence and are influencing other men not to be violent What success mean (

e here is an active referral T omen and implement their own ommunty levels). ommunities take ownership of ion flow (from/to Provincial and 4. Law reform and policy development work of others supported by two way informa t c 2. Individuals, families and c the problem of violence against w strategies to reduce vilence and protect women. 3. system from & within networks (Police, Public Solicitors. CCC, FSC, Health) 1. FSC is providing quality counselling, legal advice and mediation services to women victims/survors of sexual and domestic violenc Objectives

. .

r Advocate f providing more fter one yea Stronger referral network – mostly relationships, and sensitivity in year1. Service standards agreed and monitoring set up. Good networks maintained with stakeholders. Some examples of input from community into national processes. Counselling training and professional development program underway Increased numbers and skills of FSC staf and better counselling. FSC Lawyer in place and providing legal advice Community program (first stage) developed and piloted. Campaign strategy and key messages developed Outcomes (success) a

s g

n s k W VA W. VA ommunity education and iolence prevention package ampaign to promote openness Establishing referral processes and service standards which are actively monitored by users and other referral service provider Networking, coordination, coalition building, and developing policy positions based on monitoring, evaluation and learning findings Developing and implementin Soloman Islands Counselling and mediatio training and mentoring providing legal service Developing and implementing a c v (training manual & resources. Developing and implementing a c to, and ownership of the problem of Key areas of wor (activity focus)

14 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women thEorIES of INDIVIDUAl ChANGE

Possible outcomes: Protection order Restraining order Can make a Police intervention Legal Know rights decision for Legal proceeding Service and opinions self and family Woman leaves Nothing Feel emowered FSC mediates Family Counselling or intervenes Support Service with perpetrator Centre Police/Public Solicitors Feel Referral better Health Care

Information Refuge/emergency shelter Better able to negotaite Material support (if property destroyed)

Consolidating Efforts Maintenance A ct io social and clinical psychology. ntemplatio n -co n re norms, it is necessary for people to P recognise existing norms as social constructs, i.e. as man-made things Raising Community Integrating Awareness Assessment Action attitudes and behaviour so that social C o n such change must happen in many n t aspects of people’s lives, the theory is e io m t c p A line. l r a o tio Building f n on Networks ati Prepar

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 15 hoW to BUIlD A thEory of ChANGE Summarise your theory of change in a few sentences, and draw a map showing the relationships between the aspects and case, an end to violence against women - will happen. One can computer, just draw the map on a piece of paper and scan it! result we want to obtain? was created for a gender based violence program proposal in Indonesia. judges can apply anti-VAW laws more systematically so that the duration of our different efforts, whether the strategies harassment at schools by building their self-esteem and learning to denounce offending teachers. answered in the light of new facts. Oxfam’s proposal to reduce gender- what is needed? In our example with the school children, the based violence in Indonesia (2012-2014) uses a program theory – i.e. a model that combines the theory of change with a visualisation of the planned activities – inspired by a model also need to be prepared to receive and deal with students’ for gender mainstreaming by Aruna Rao and David Kelleher. complaints so as to end violence.

Individual level Strategy (2): Increasing Strategy (1): Changing women’s and men’s consciousness Support national and local women’s access to resources advocacy encouraging Engage men to become increased GOI resources Support for legal services, gender justice and for GBV services monitoring service anti-violence advocates So that: More and provision, and developing Support Individual Change better quality services service agreements Makers through We Can are available Build the capactity and understanding of the So that: Support mapping of women’s movement to People know available services to advocate for about services inform advocacy women’s rights and their rights and planning So that: A growing popular movement is reinforcing Support awareness raising positive attitudes and beliefs about services and options available to survivors of violence

l Outcome: There is reduced Outcome: More survivors of GBV are accessing Overall goal l individual acceptance of GBV the services they need (long term impact): Reduced occurrence of

Outcome: CSO are effectively influencing Forma

Informa Outcome: There is reduced family, community, and social gender-based violence the state to uphold legislation and to provide acceptance of GBV accountable services to survivors of GBV

Leading to: Advocacy initiatives are Support to national Influence traditional So that: Community groups better targeted, more coordinated, and local advocacy for and religious leaders and informal, religious leaders are supported by appropriate evidence gender sensitive are actively working to stop GBV policy development and implementation So that: There is better information Support to the We Can available on the nature and scale Provide training for Build the capacity and National Movement of gender-based violence and those charged with understanding of the women’s available services defending rights movement to advocate for Support to coalition (Judiciary, police etc) women’s rights Mapping and building amongst Support to formulating relevant parties Build a national movement ongoing LOCAL area regulations And also that: of male gender justice advocates research and protect women’s rights evolution There is improved Strategy (4): Influencing formal Strategy (3): Challenging norms and exclusionary practices understanding ofeffective or institutions, laws and policies Systemic level promising interventions 16 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women MoNItorING, EVAlUAtIoN AND lEArNING (MEl): Oxfam is committed to learning and to sharing insights and evaluation to: participating. their objectives over time; objectives (eg if a program is not achieving objectives, to protect the privacy and physical safety of the women whether the problem rests in the theory of change or with involved. throughout the program, including in contexts with low literacy. the possible exception of major evaluations). communities - together to build relationships, allows understanding of the needs and interests at different reversals; for example, rising religious fundamentalism might levels. may also be unexpected opportunities. An effective monitoring, governmental authorities and others.

who participate in Oxfam programs and campaigns should be in charge of their own situations. We use participatory methods in contribute to change. At all stages of its interventions to end violence against a good way to verify whether the Oxfam intervention meets

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 17 ExAMplES froM oxfAM proGrAMS An analytical tool to assess quality in work with survivors of violence against women: monitoring, evaluation and advocacy:

Attitude Competencies Effective Referral Psychological Skills Human Co-operation Integrated Attention Resources and Understanding of VAW Causes Co-ordination Common Standards Legal Knowledge

Supervision Quality Availability in services Access Proximity for VAW survivors Visibility

Procedure Women’s Health and Survival Personal Interaction Empowerment Ethical Conduct Service Desired Follow-up Process Results Satisfactory Legal Process Work with Others Affected by VAW Social Norms Change Knowledge Management

A MEl system for a program to end violence against women

Focus on Goal and objectives and learning about the model and what is & isn’t Major working review Team to include representatives of each partner + external consultant and Will be participatory assessment with stakeholders, including men and women evaluation in pilot communities and FSC clients (After years 2 & 4)

Based on experiences, case studies, stories, audio-visual information Annual Feedback through WPCW Ward Reps to communities & other

Focus on outcomes and issues, potentially using formalised action learning cycle Partner Meetings Monitoring the partnership, management arrangements, (every 4 months incl. and capacity building progress Agrees adjustments needed to approach, plans, and budgets

systems Partner monitoring of Monitoring external operating environment (e.g. progress, Inputs and progress of new legislation) outcomes (ongoing) Monitoring levels of violence and attitudes in communities, and referral services & staff performance management

18 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women What Can I Do To End Violence against Women?

oxfAM proGrAMS ExAMplES: violence against women. Furthermore, Oxfam mainstreams together safely, share their experience and problems, and devise solutions. deepened to ensure women and girls gain control over their Female volunteer doctors, psychologists and lawyers provided support. In recent years, women’s organisations in Afghanistan life-saving importance in regions where traditions forbid men to touch or even see women who are not part of their close family.

to raise awareness for the destructive effects of violence against women. father is always shouting at my mother.

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 19 Development programs can also have implications for violence exercise: This exercise is particularly interesting for those who have not yet carried out any awareness-raising on violence against women, or counselling with survivors. actually increase violence against women, if such projects Find someone – a friend, a relative, an acquaintance – ignore the power imbalances between women and men. who has no experience in work to end violence against women. Talk to him/ her about the subject – what is if there are no safeguards against sexual abuse by teachers violence against women, what damage it does, what needs and school boys. to be done about it, and what one can do at work and in one’s daily life to end it. how does it feel to discuss the subject? how does the person react? its programs are safe for women and girls, and contribute It is enlightening to repeat the exercise with a group of people, informally or in a more formal setting. Brace your- play leading roles in planning, implementing and monitoring self for unfriendly reactions, and bear in mind: disparaging projects. or aggressive comments have nothing to do with you personally! Violence against women is so deeply rooted in societies that many people are afraid of speaking – or INSIDE oxfAM Violence against women exists everywhere. Oxfam is committed what do they reveal about the person’s attitudes, beliefs to changing its own organisational culture, for example through and maybe fears? And what could be done to change them? men will run discussions, training and other activities to ensure resources staff. It is also in the interest of the organisation as

20 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women Summary: Our Transformative Approach

oxfam wants to contribute to deep and lasting change that will end violence against women. this transformative approach: human being has rights, and can claim these rights her situation in a unique way, and that every person must be in charge of her own development power between women and men for greater equality. oxfam invests in research, monitoring and evaluation so as to make sure our work is relevant and effective. Useful experience and lessons learnt are documented and shared within oxfam and beyond, so as to contribute to the growing knowledge base on what works in ending violence against women.

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 21 Glossary of Key Terms and Acronyms

femicide Gender discrimination Discrimination based on gender deliberate, wanton violation and massacre of women and girls, as in a get paid less than men; some armies particular ethnic group by an invading exclude homosexual men from service. DEVAW army. Gender justice fistula An abnormal hole between organs that and men in all spheres of life. Domestic violence are not supposed to be connected. Violence that happens in households Gender mainstreaming A strategy which aims to bring about harm to children from witnessing openings between the vagina, the organisations whose main purpose is urinary tract and the rectum. Women not necessarily gender justice. that happens within the family, e.g. or excrement (incontinence). Gender norms What societies expect from women and abuse of older family members. Gender men based on their respective gendered Empowerment identities. societies attribute to women and men Gender relations self, over ideology and the resources is constructed by societies. Ways in which a culture or society which determine power. prescribes rights, roles, responsibilities Gender equality female genital cutting and identities of women in men in fGM/C relation to one another. men enjoy the same status; have All procedures that involve partial or Gender roles total removal of the external female opportunities for realising their full genitalia, or other deliberate injury human rights and potential; and can to the female genital organs for roles vary depending on many factors female genital mutilation or female Gender equity society. Fairness of treatment for women and men according to their respective needs harmful traditional practice respectful to their dignity. Gender-based violence GBV norms. the health and well-being of persons. of teenage girls are harmful traditions.

22 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women Intersectionality Sex VAW - Violence against women A methodology of studying the relationships among multiple men, women and intersex persons, i.e. women. dimensions of social relationships and the biological, physical and genetic Victim people’s identity. Intersectionality holds composition with which we are born. A person who has experienced violence. Sexual orientation such as racism, sexism and homophobia Someone’s viable attraction to (a) another, but interrelate, to create the someone who is attracted to members persons who have died from a violent of the opposite gender is heterosexual. discrimination. Women who are attracted to women Violence MEl are lesbians; bisexual persons can be attracted to someone of the same threatened or actual, against oneself, gender or someone of a different partner violence another person, or against a group gender; asexual persons are not sexually Violence perpetrated by an intimate or community, that either results in attracted to other people at all. partner. World-wide, most partner violence is perpetrated by men against Sexual abuse in injury, death, psychological harm, their wives or female partners. maldevelopment or deprivation. patriarchy contraception, deliberately causing Societal structures and practices that unwanted pain during sex, and institutionalise male power over women deliberately passing on sexual diseases and children. are also forms of sexual abuse. power Any sexual act, including touching and insinuations, that involves children is sexual abuse. authority; might; forcefulness. Stereotype power analysis conceptions of people. Ideas such as the different types and levels of power that play a role in a situation. (Also used as a technical term in statistics, with a Support services different meaning.) Organised assistance. Support services to VAW survivors include, among others, rights based approach health care, legal aid, shelter and psycho-social counselling. value and have rights that must be Survivor upheld at all times, and that (2) aims to A person who has experienced ensure people can claim their rights with person’s capacity to overcome a violent responsible for protecting their rights experience. Since it is respectful and (for example, governments). empowering it should be preferred over Safe programming transformation Fundamental, lasting change. and other negative effects for the women and girls, men and boys involved. the structures and cultures of societies.

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 23 Suggestions for Monitoring Implementation of the oxfam Guide on Ending Violence Against Women

QUEStIoNS AND INDICAtorS

Questions Does oxfam develop more effective programs to end violence against women? programs to end violence against women? initiatives to end violence against women? when designing interventions to end violence against women?

Is there broad support among female and male oxfam staff of diverse backgrounds for oxfam’s commitment to ending VAW? to discuss and address violence against women? we do to raise more interest? when developing and monitoring programs and campaigns?

24 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women Questions Do oxfam staff members have a basic understanding of oxfam’s transformative approach? transformative approach to end violence against women without using jargon?

as change agents, rather than passive recipients of aid? complex identities and the multiple dimensions of social relationships?

Do oxfam staff members grasp basic concepts of gender and violence against women? traditional practice and violence against women used

simple manner, without using jargon?

proCESSES for MoNItorING AND ExpErIENCE-ShArING all the attention it needs, it may be a good idea to organise informal discussions over lunch, where colleagues and visitors intervention can contribute to it and the information reaches share their experience. A more formalised option would be everyone who needs it. Ideally, participants and partners in learned could be shared in a more structured manner. to monitoring and experience-sharing. as staff meetings, staff assessments, monitoring visits and evaluations.

Oxfam staff Oxfam partner organisations

...all can participate in monitoring

Women and girls, men and boys Survivors of violence against women we work with or try to influence

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 25 Annexes

rESoUrCES Key oxfam Internal documents other key resources a mandatory reference for anyone who Available to Oxfam Staff on SUMUS www.endvawnow.org: a rich, growing collection of step-by-step instructions, references and tools for by the World Health Organisation, available learning modules (April offers rich information, including on the public health and ecological Security collection of OI’s policy positions on (2011) based Violence Interventions in site includes resources on protection from sexual abuse and exploitation in several languages principles for monitoring and evaluation, for women’s organisations 2011) to internal reports and resources: there is a special page for the justice-program-development- resources-gender-based-violence aspx Institute for Development studies with a searchable web-based library

26 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women thE oxfAM INtErNAtIoNAl of discrimination and denial of rights. StAtEMENt oN GBV/VAW the United Nations’ Declaration on approach, that catalyses and fosters change at individual and collective transformative Approach Women: Violence against women means levels, in informal and informal any act of gender- based violence domains; shifts women’s and men’s our understanding of the problem attitudes and beliefs; and increases physical, sexual or psychological harm women’s abilities to access resources, Oxfam envisions a safe and just world, or suffering to women, including threats cultural norms and formal institutions, where women and girls gain power over of such acts, coercion or arbitrary laws and policies. every aspect of their lives and live free deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. of individual power as a means to women (VAW), is a violation of women’s fostering collective action and rights, a barrier to women’s active longer-term community and societal transformation. Yet we constraint to poverty alleviation. It . limits women’s choices and ability to Understanding context is also important women’s movement building, with access education, earn a living and for understanding opportunities for our primary constituents being participate in political and public life. change. For instance, while culture is often used to justify harmful practices, it can also become a powerful force for gender justice. Oxfam understands that VAW is a global in social norms and increased impunity social movements, and non-traditional allies, such as men and boys, and changes and powerful global, regional and opportunities to reduce its social religious leaders to magnify, support and local women’s movements, acceptance and incidence. and sustain the efforts so often oxfam’s transformative approach to the gains that have been made towards ending GBV and VAW ending VAW. New alliances and support become mainstreamed, as a non- negotiable, good practice throughout are also needed to support this agenda. we promote a transformative approach Oxfam. approach are that it is: Oxfam is concerned with the root causes the following outcomes: of poverty and suffering. We understand perpetuated on the basis of gendered relations and norms based on a gendered power analysis; society and by the institutions that Oxfam; how multiple identities intersect to create and sustain discrimination and mechanism to control women’s bodies, violence; transformed to empower women experiencing VAW and provide support sexuality, and autonomy. to them to become active agents of collective capacity for sustainable change; . How it is experienced change; depends on how gender intersects is applied and is used by people to with other identities (i.e. race, colour, own political voice and agendas defend their rights; caste, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic class, needs and implementation of their ability, etc) to create multiple forms own agendas. in particular new, emerging groups of young women’s organisations, who are able to hold duty bearers to account;

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 27 thE oxfAM polICy movements and non-traditional actors promote changes in gender-based CoMpENDIUM oN GBV/VAW - such as men and boys, religious power relations and to build a broader leaders - for women’s efforts to hold constituency against VAW. 2. oxfam’s thematic policy duty bearers to account; and positions on gender equality and women’s rights learning to strengthen the global 8 about gender relations among men and evidence base of good practice, 2.1 Violence Against Women and Girls women Oxfam envisions a safe and just world, and humanitarian response. where women and girls gain power over every aspect of their lives and live free incorporate the values and practice of a transformative approach to ending humanitarian response to address empowerment of women and girls. We support the following strategies for Violence against women (VAW), is a change: violation of women’s rights, a barrier to to guide innovative funding a fundamental constraint to poverty with a comprehensive review of alleviation. It limits women’s choices and ability to access education, earn a living as an emphasis on new, emerging this area. and participate in political and public life. leadership, and movement for by identifying and nurturing acceptance of violence against women change, by providing core and internal champions, and building and impunity worldwide shows the global institutional support and multi- staff awareness, capacity and community is failing women and girls on year programs that increase their commitment at all levels, to ensure this issue. sustainability. that Oxfam does not reproduce gender and other forms of rationale: 2. Developing strategic alliances discrimination and violence, and Violence against women is one of the with women’s rights movements, becomes a more effective and most pervasive violations of human rights violence and sexual abuse, especially in institutions. Monitoring, Evaluation and learning (MEl) women has devastating long-term effects, not only on women but on their and beliefs in women and men that how transformative change happens perpetuate the social acceptance of the most dangerous place for women and many live in daily fear of violence. activists engaging in strategies to One in three women will experience transform power and the root causes physical or sexual violence from men, global levels. lifetime sexually assaulted either at or going to and assessments to capture the complex and from school10. Domestic violence through efforts to challenge impunity incremental, and we support our and hold governments and other partners to do the same, through countries where domestic violence is duty bearers to account for providing not considered a crime11 changes in people’s lives. and deliberate tactic of war. Women who have experienced violence are up to infrastructures and delivery that are 12 driven by and respond to the needs HIV and interest of women experiencing million girls and women alive today have VAW.

28 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women . Women and girls are of violence against women and the in which violence affects groups of subject to forced marriages and sexual continuing impunity of its perpetrators women in different ways because of harassment by relatives. Violence against demonstrates an urgent need to their race, ethnicity, disability, sexual women robs women of control over their develop comprehensive and coordinated orientation, age, belief or religion; own bodies, sexuality and lives. It is not strategies to address this problem. only a major cause of death, ill-health Signed off policy: to violence against women and girls and disability, violence against women empowerment of women and the by limiting women’s choices and ability to access education, earn money or is to be free from all forms as well as related plans and Sector Wide participate in political and public life. Approaches (Swaps). Important progress has been made acceptance of violence against women internationally as a result of years of and impunity worldwide shows the global community is failing women and girls on and women’s movements in promoting this issue. We call for a comprehensive new or emerging young women’s international standards and norms international action plan to address that clarify obligations of states to this issue politically, again with time- they are able to hold duty bearers prevent, eradicate and punish all forms bound targets and explicit accountability of violence against women and girls in mechanisms. the private and public sphere, by state actors in society, create space for their participation in policy forums, and of Violence against Women, Security and institutions which can provide Oxfam joins other development actors, integrated and comprehensive Oxfam supports transformative governments and the UN urging that: assistance that is designed and approaches to ending VAW in order to delivered in a way that meets the needs of women experiencing VAW is based on an understanding that human rights issue as well as a core and empowers them to become active violence against women is structural in development issue, and as such must agents of change; nature and is perpetuated on the basis of be addressed through both domestic policy and foreign or international development policy interventions. VAW exists, is adopted, enforced and implemented at all levels such so that We urge governments and the women can defend their rights; international community to agree to a strategic approach that catalyses comprehensive international action plan and fosters change at individual and to address Violence Against Women, movements and non-traditional actors collective levels, in informal and informal which would: - such as men and boys, religious domains; shifts women’s and men’s attitudes and beliefs; leverages wider duty bearers to account; end of VAW; and increases women’s accountability mechanisms; ability to access resources, cultural beliefs about gender relations on men norms and formal institutions, laws and and women; policies. However, many initiatives to address response that incorporate the values for improved national and global data and practice of a transformative and concrete actions, structures, collection, disaggregated by age systems to implement and monitor and other factors, on its prevalence their implementation at all political worldwide; levels, especially the national level.

Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM 29 NOTES

1 2 on context and strategy. One component of the gendered power analysis includes intersectional analysis and the way in which multiple identities interact with oppressions, contributing to systemic discriminations. 10 11 12

30 OXFAM | Ending Violence Against Women Ending Violence Against Women | OXFAM iii www.oxfam.org

CoVEr photo Sri Lankan women’s rights activist Ganawathi takes part in a performance depicting women breaking the silence and speaking out against violence against women Annie Bungeroth/Oxfam