Communication, Participation, & Social Change: A Review of Communication Initiatives Addressing Gender-Based Violence, Gender Norms, and Harmful Traditional Practices in Crisis-Affected Settings

"Participatory communication activities can spur discussion and engagement, empower individuals and groups, strengthen leadership and advocacy skills, and promote alternatives to norms and practices that propagate gender inequities and violence."

Combined with conditions of displacement and extreme social instability, the heightening of power imbalances catalyses increased prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful traditional practices (HTP) in conflict-affected settings. This desk review shares a global scan of development communication initiatives addressing GBV, HTP, and related health concerns in such settings. The scan was conducted to answer the question: what "best practices" and practical lessons can be drawn from existing programmes? Seventy-five programmes were identified, and several programmes of special relevance were profiled, examining the approach used, key participatory elements, and evaluation findings.

The review was prepared under the scope of the Through Our Eyes participatory communication project, which is described in detail at the links under "Related Summaries, below. In brief, Through Our Eyes enables local teams in Liberia, Rwanda, southern Sudan, Uganda, and Thailand to engage community members in the production of films addressing GBV, HTP, and related health issues. Through screenings and facilitated discussions of these locally-produced films, the project helps initiate community dialogue and expands local awareness of GBV response and prevention and other available health services, including HIV voluntary counseling and testing, fistula repair and rehabilitation, legal aid, trauma counseling, and medical and psychological services for survivors. Through Our Eyes is a collaboration between the American Refugee Committee (ARC) and Communication for Change (C4C), the project is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s Office of Women in Development. The review focuses on communication interventions that emphasise participatory, community-driven approaches, as Through Our Eyes is a participatory communication initiative in which community engagement is intrinsic, and participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) is emphasised. Priority was also given to programmes that have been evaluated, especially using participatory evaluation methods.

After a discussion of the purpose and overview of the review, Section III presents the methodology and Section IV briefly reviews patterns and prevalence of GBV and HTP in crisis-affected settings. Section V provides a brief overview of development communication approaches, exploring the spectrum of "diffusion" and "participatory" communication models. ("Over the past decade, diffusion and participatory elements have become increasingly integrated within the context of development communications. Development agencies have recognized the relative advantage of participatory approaches in identifying salient problems and solutions, as well as the pragmatic advantage of the broad reach sought by diffusion approaches"). Section VI profiles 6 relevant programmes: DramAidE's forum theatre programme, Tostan's community initiatives to fight female genital mutilation (FGM)/female genital cutting (FGC), FilmAid's community video programme, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)'s Meena Communication Initiative, the Community Conversations Initiative, and the Stepping Stones programme. Sections VII and VIII document resulting observations, recommendations, and conclusions. Finally, Section IX provides a summary table of all programmes that were identified and examined based on the key criteria used for this review. The 75 programmes represent a wide diversity of communication forms (forum theater, film, skills training, advocacy, and community discussion); topical foci (HIV, GBV, HTP, gender norms); and regions of implementation (East Africa, West Africa, Asia, Middle East).

The programme scan was conducted primarily via the internet, drawing especially on The Communication Initiative, the Reproductive Health Response in Crises Consortium site, and the GBV Prevention Network site. It also entailed review of published and "gray"/unpublished literature, as well as communication with other international development and humanitarian agencies. Key observations and recommendations from the review include the following:

• There is need for more participatory communication initiatives in crisis-affected settings, especially to address GBV, HTP, and related issues. There is currently a dearth of such programmes, which have the benefit of engaging community members in processes of reflection and dialogue around positive change.
• It is important to carry out culturally sensitive formative work at the community level, particularly among women and girls, to help ensure that issues such as GBV and the effects of conflict on women's welfare are addressed in appropriate ways.
• There is a lack of evaluations of participatory communication programmes in crisis-affected settings. Documentation and assessment through participatory monitoring and evaluation approaches should be used wherever possible.
• There is a need for more community-driven participatory communication initiatives tailored to local contexts and priorities. Organisations should actively engage community members in discussions to identify concerns and possible solutions, as well as materials and modes of outreach that will be most appropriate and effective. Higher levels of participation strengthen positive outcomes.
• Locally appropriate modalities of interpersonal communication, and the provision of adequate space and time for in-depth dialogue, should be central to and systematically incorporated into participatory communication initiatives, especially when culturally sensitive issues are being addressed.
• A deliberate focus on capacity-building and acquisition of new skills (interpersonal, technical, etc.) among community members, and the provision of new opportunities for women and girls, should be integral aspects of participatory communication initiatives, especially those addressing GBV, HTP, and related issues.
• Participatory communication initiatives should include the strengthening and mobilisation of existing peer groups and networks as resources for positive change.
• Implementing agencies, local partners, and donors should develop methods for improved dissemination and sharing of communication programme experiences to enable greater cross-learning and wider adaptation of effective approaches.
• Implementing agencies and local partners undertaking communication initiatives that address violence against women should seek to meaningfully involve various sectors of society, including men and boys, in programme activities and to track participation through appropriate monitoring systems.

It is hoped that this document will provide a useful resource to help guide other agencies implementing communication initiatives focused on GBV, gender norms, and promoting healthy social and behaviour change in crisis-affected settings.