Stepping Stones Program (South Africa)
Problems addressed
Violence against women
Sexual violence
Internalizing behaviors/problems
Alcohol abuse
Drug abuse
Effectiveness

Effective

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Effective

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Life periods served
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Education establishment
Country of application
South Africa
Description

Stepping Stones is a program that seeks to improve the sexual health of its participants by using participatory learning approaches to develop awareness, risk knowledge, and communication skills, as well as to stimulate critical reflection among participants (men and women between the ages of 15 and 26, who typically attend schools/educational institutions).

Impact evaluations

A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) evaluated the impact of the “Stepping Stones” program in South Africa. This study indicates that the program was effective in reducing the number of male high school students who committed physical or sexual violence against their partners.
The proportion of males perpetrating physical or sexual violence against their partners was significantly lower in the treatment group. There was also evidence that a lower proportion of men reported committing or attempting to commit rape. A significantly lower proportion of men participating in the program reported having alcohol and drug abuse problems, and there was evidence of a reduction in the proportion of men who reported being depressed.
However, no evidence was found of a reduction in women’s experiences of violence. [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Jewkes, R., Nduna, M., Levin, J., Jama, N., Dunkle, K., Puren, A., & Duvvury, N. (2008). Impact of stepping stones on incidence of HIV and HSV-2 and sexual behaviour in rural South Africa: Cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 337, a506. https://www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a506

Information source