Of eight experimental or quasi-experimental studies identified and analyzed by the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls Global program, only three reported positive impacts and five reported no impact on violence against women and girls. All the interventions evaluated were implemented in Africa.
An evaluation of the SHARE (Safe Homes and Respect for Everyone) program in Uganda showed the most conclusive and positive results. Three years after the start of the program, there was a 20% reduction in reports filed by women of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by an intimate partner. Reports of aggression by men, however, remained unchanged.
A quasi-experimental study of the Gender Centre’s Rural Response System (RRS) program in Ghana – also known as COMBAT – showed a significant reduction in cases of sexual violence after 18 months of implementation and a non-significant reduction in physical violence. There was also no reduction in men committing intimate partner violence.
An impact evaluation five years after the implementation of the SASA! community mobilization program in Uganda associated the intervention with significantly less acceptance of partner violence among women and men, as well as a considerable reduction in experiences of physical and sexual violence. It also increased the likelihood of women who were victims of violence in the community seeking help. There were also fewer reports of sexual violence committed by men in the communities that received the project, compared to other control communities.
According to the authors, these behavior-changing interventions are complex and require time and intensity. In addition, the successful cases have a well-defined structure, with a clear theory of change; they work with groups within the community, not just with individuals; they use participatory methods that allow for greater critical reflection on the part of the members; they use high-quality manuals developed in partnership with the community; they also involve women or couples with a history of violence; and they have a rigorous selection of activists and volunteers [1].