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Momentum Population Council Newsletters
2008
Sexual and gender-based violence
Population Council
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This Newsletter is brought to you for free and open access by the Population Council. NEWS FROM THE POPULATION COUNCIL Momentum SEPTEMBER 2008
Sexual and gender-based violence
IN THIS ISSUE: REDUCING THE RISK OF HIV FROM RAPE INVOLVING MEN AS PARTNERS AGAINST VIOLENCE PROTECTING VULNERABLE GIRLS CONNECTING LEGAL AND MEDICAL CARE FOR RAPE VICTIMS SHARING WAYS TO REDUCE THE VIOLENCE CONSIDER THIS: Percentage of women around the world who have been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in their lifetime: 331
Percentage of Tanzanian women who agree with the statement “Violence is a major problem in my life”: 252 Percentage of rural Ethiopian women who are abused MILLIONS OF WOMEN SUFFER EVERY YEAR physically or sexually by a husband or boyfriend: 711 from sexual and gender-based violence including Percentage of urban Bangladeshi women with a primary education physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Poor, uneducated, who experience violence from an intimate partner: 701 and young women are especially vulnerable. These women need not suffer this senseless cruelty. This issue of Momentum highlights Percentage of urban Bangladeshi women with higher education who Population Council projects that are helping to prevent such violence experience violence from an intimate partner: 321 and treat its survivors. To prevent sexual and gender-based violence, the Council and our partners have designed programs that help men Ratio of the likelihood of becoming HIV-positive: abused married change their attitudes about their relationships with women, encour- 3 women in India vs. married women not abused: 4:1 aging them to become women’s advocates rather than perpetrators Ratio of the likelihood of being abused: young HIV-positive women in of sexual abuse. By increasing access to critical services, Council- Tanzania vs. young HIV-negative women: 10:14 sponsored initiatives are helping victims of abuse prevent HIV infection and unwanted pregnancy.
1 World Health Organization. 2005. WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Thousands of survivors of abuse have benefited from the Violence.
COVER: SPENCER PLATT/GETTY IMAGES THIS PAGE: © LYNSEY ADDARIO/CORBIS 1 Reducing the risk of HIV from rape
IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS gather outside the home of a young girl who was raped. In light of South Africa’s high HIV prevalence rate, this girl should be given access to medicine that can help prevent HIV transmission after rape. Unfortunately many doctors are unaware of the proper way to administer this treatment. Population Council researchers are collaborating with program and hospital managers to change policies and expand access to critical treatment.
GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
THE PROBLEM Post-exposure return to the hospital for the initial visit, eliminating the need for this critical intervention. The prophylaxis (PEP) can help prevent remaining drugs never completed a second trip to the hospital. Council has also disseminated the HIV transmission after rape only their treatment. results of the program in articles if the first dose is taken within THE POTENTIAL After intro- and in briefings with government 72 hours of exposure to the virus THE PROGRESS Council duction of the program, the per- officials so that other groups can and 28 days of follow-up treatment researchers and partners in collabo- centage of women who received the duplicate our work. Because the are completed. Council research ration with hospital managers con- full 28-day regimen increased from improvements use only local profes- conducted in a rural hospital in ducted a two-day training program 15 percent to 55 percent, signifi- sionals and preexisting facilities, South Africa found that fewer than for health care providers on proto- cantly reducing the number of they can be applied to many differ- half the doctors interviewed were cols for effective PEP treatment. As women who may be infected with ent communities at low cost. aware of PEP’s time sensitivity. a result of the training, official hos- HIV after rape. The Council and its Partners: Rural AIDS and Development Only 15 percent of patients were pital policy now includes an early numerous partners are replicating Action Research Programme (RADAR); School given the full 28-day course of first dose of PEP and specifies that this model in nine sub-Saharan of Public Health of the University of the Witwatersrand; Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy drugs on their first hospital visit, rape survivors are to receive a com- African countries to multiply its Centre. Donor: United States Agency for so many women who could not plete 28-day supply of PEP at their impact, thereby expanding access to International Development (USAID). 2 3 Involving men as partners against violence
IN INDIA, YOUNG MEN GATHER TO READ A COMIC BOOK developed by the Population Council. The comic book emphasizes treating women with respect. Books like this, in combination with posters and plays, are helping change young men’s attitudes about rape and sexual violence.
ANIRBAN DATTA/POPULATION COUNCIL
THE PROBLEM In many coun- men think and act in their rela- condoms; and reported fewer banners, and service and informa- tries, masculinity is characterized by tionships with women, Council episodes of partner violence. A tion booths. male sexual dominance, unequal researchers have expanded the young male participant said, “We gender attitudes and behaviors, and project to India. Using exercises used to think that, during sex, if a THE POTENTIAL The Council’s harassment or teasing of young and materials adapted from the woman does not cry then she is work in Brazil and India shows how women by men. Young men also Brazilian project, Council not satisfied, or we used bad words we can stop rape and sexual vio- feel pressure to prove their sexual researchers designed small-group when talking about girls. After the lence before it starts by developing prowess by having unsafe sex—fur- discussion sessions aimed at discussions, we realized that these culturally specific projects. With ther exacerbating a harmful situa- changing men’s attitudes about are forms of violence that we education and support, boys can tion by exposing them and their violence against women and were treating as customary acts.” grow into men who enter into sexual partners to HIV. reducing risky sexual behavior. Researchers are now implementing respectful, healthy relationships Early results indicate that the men a campaign to reinforce messages with women. THE PROGRESS After evaluat- who participated in the discussion about gender equality and HIV pre- Partners: Hope Worldwide; EngenderHealth. ing a gender equality campaign in groups began to talk to their vention. The campaign consists of Donors: President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Brazil that changed how young partners about sex and HIV; used street plays, posters, pamphlets, Relief (PEPFAR); USAID. 4 5 Protecting vulnerable girls
A TEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN SOUTH AFRICA WANTS desperately to continue her education, but her 12-year-old sister was raped on the way to school. The girl’s fear of the walk across town may condemn her to a lifetime of poverty and illiteracy. The Population Council is working to create and maintain safe spaces so that girls can fully participate in their communities.
TOMASZ TOMASZEWSKI/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC/GETTY IMAGES
THE PROBLEM More than they felt safe or unsafe. Their maps the communities to work with examining ways to use this low-cost one-quarter of girls in South Africa revealed problems that even the police and school officials to tool and to replicate this project as report rape as their first sexual adults in their communities hadn’t improve safety and to create spaces part of girls’ protection and empow- experience. As a result, many girls seen. Not one of the girls between where girls could feel safe. erment strategies and policies in are afraid to leave their homes to 10 and 13 could identify a commu- other countries. attend school, visit the health cen- nity space in which she felt more THE POTENTIAL The results of ter, or access other resources in than “somewhat safe” from harass- the mapping project created an their community. ment or sexual assault. Traveling to awareness of the issue that mobi- and from school was a particularly lized South African communities to Partners: Crime Reduction in Schools THE PROGRESS The Council dangerous activity. Clinics, libraries, focus on creating safe spaces for Project (CRISP); KwaZulu-Natal Department asked South African girls ages and welfare offices also were con- girls, especially along major streets of Education; Isithunzi Development. Donors: Department for International 10 to 16 to map their neighbor- sidered unsafe. The mapping project leading to schools, hospitals, and Development (DFID); United Nations hoods, pinpointing areas where motivated neighborhood groups in markets. Council researchers are Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
6 7 Connecting legal and medical care for rape victims
A 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IS BRUTALLY RAPED. SHE REPORTS the crime to the police, who take her statement and send her home but fail to refer her to the local hospital. She becomes pregnant, and when she goes to court to testify against her attacker, the lack of physical evidence leads to his acquittal. Population Council projects in South Africa, Vietnam, and Zambia are expanding the roles of both police and medical professionals to provide survivors of sexual assault with comprehensive care.
JOHN BANAGAN/GETTY IMAGES
THE PROBLEM Medical staff When women do seek medical nurses how to conduct post-rape emergency contraception raises the and police do not have established treatment, hospital staff rarely gath- evaluations for police investigations. likelihood women will be able to networks through which to er evidence in an appropriate way avoid unwanted pregnancy. By exchange critical information in or report the crime to the police. THE POTENTIAL Both the establishing links between the med- cases of rape. In Zambia, Council police and the medical system play ical and legal systems, the Council researchers found that of the 91 THE PROGRESS A Population critical roles in a woman’s post-rape develops—and shows how to devel- percent of victims of sexual vio- Council study in Zambia demon- care. The emergency contraception op—mechanisms to provide police lence who go to the police first, half strated that collaboration between and post-rape evaluation projects with the physical evidence they never seek medical treatment after- the police and health sectors facili- provide important services in addi- require to convict rapists. ward. As a result, many women do tated access to emergency contra- tion to building crucial communica- not receive time-sensitive treat- ception at police stations and tions networks between the justice Partners: Copperbelt Provincial Health Office; ments such as emergency contra- improved referrals to health facili- and medical systems. Increasing the Ministry of Health; Zambia Police Force. ception, which must be adminis- ties. In South Africa and Vietnam, a number of places where women can Donors: The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; Swedish International tered within five days of the rape. Council training project instructs access time-sensitive services like Development Cooperation Agency; USAID.
8 9 Sharing ways to reduce the violence
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO SHARE EXPERIENCES about implementing programs to prevent sexual and gender- based violence is critical to ensure women have access to the most effective programs and services. In sub-Saharan Africa, the Population Council has created a network of 17 organizations in nine countries aimed at expanding access to the most innovative and effective prevention and treatment programs.
© PHILIPPE LISSAC/GODONG/CORBIS
THE PROBLEM Every country what doesn’t in the fight against lence. Participants cited lessons continue to conduct research proj- faces its own challenges when sexual and gender-based violence. learned and requested that the ects and document the results. dealing with sexual and gender- In March 2008, 45 network partici- Council continue to support the Lessons and guidelines on projects based violence. One problem com- pants from nine African countries network. The ongoing collaboration such as the ones highlighted in this mon to all, however, is that there attended a meeting in Pretoria, will ensure that research results to issue of Momentum are widely is too little information available South Africa. They forged connec- prevent and respond to sexual vio- shared with other networks, organi- and too little awareness of the tions and identified “best practices” lence are disseminated quickly to zations, and government agencies problem’s prevalence. for carrying out activities to policymakers and service providers across Africa and elsewhere. prevent violence against women. in all nine countries. THE PROGRESS The Council Discussions covered medical, legal, has created a network that dissemi- and psychological issues associated THE POTENTIAL The net- Donor: Swedish International Development nates knowledge of what works and with sexual and gender-based vio- work’s 17 partner organizations Cooperation Agency.
10 11 President’s message
THIS ISSUE OF MOMENTUM INTRODUCES A NEW format, as well as a new editorial approach. We have focused on one topic and highlighted Council activities that address sexual and gender-based violence. What has not changed is how we work. We bring world-class research skills to understand important health and population problems. This “fact base” provides the credibility we need to mobilize key officials to foster change. THE POPULATION COUNCIL ADVANCES WOMEN’S RIGHTS In the KwaZulu-Natal province of junction with local partners and AND ENHANCES THEIR South Africa, we gathered data staff members from the countries QUALITY OF LIFE. about where girls and boys felt safe in which we work. This has the (see page 6). Once community effect of making our findings more leaders understood how unsafe locally relevant and, at the same girls felt, they were determined to time, more likely to be adopted do something about it. and implemented. After gathering and analyzing The end result is that funds data, we design and test interven- invested in Council research are tions to address a particular situa- “smart money”: we test our inter- tion. In Zambia, in the project ventions locally and then promote described on page 8, this meant successful ones to a broad audi- training police to provide emer- ence, ensuring a substantial YOU HAVE READ HOW THE COUNCIL IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN gency contraception to reduce the impact. the fight against sexual and gender-based violence by preventing HIV likelihood that women who are Our success is due to our staff— infection due to rape, changing male attitudes toward women, and raped bear the additional burden which I believe is the finest in the creating safe spaces for girls. But we can’t do this alone. We need your of an unwanted pregnancy. field—and to the generous support financial support. Your contributions to the Population Council help Once an intervention is proven of our donors. Thank you for your us improve care for rape survivors and help build communities where effective, we spread word of its interest in the Council and your sexual and gender-based violence is not tolerated. success. Whether it is delivering a commitment to helping make Your donation has an immediate impact on our innovations, our talk at an academic conference, the world a better—and safer— ground-breaking research, our public policy initiatives, and our mission meeting with government officials place. With your support we will to improve the lives of the most vulnerable populations across the to share results, or sponsoring net- continue to make a difference. developing world. works that facilitate “best prac- tices” information-sharing, as we Sincerely, At this critical juncture in the Council’s history, each gift—regardless did in the project described on of its size—brings us closer to a world where no woman has to suffer the page 10, communication is a cen- consequences of sexual and gender-based violence. The active support of tral element of our strategy. our friends today ensures we will reach our shared goal of providing All our research, planning, and women with a healthy and safe tomorrow. dissemination take place in con- Peter J. Donaldson www.popcouncil.org/supporting www.popcouncil.org/publications/momentum 12