Context:
Gender-based violence is particularly prevalent in Southern Africa by global standards. Acceptance of it is alarmingly high. This is rooted in discriminatory social norms and structures that justify and maintain imbalances of power.
Objective:
Knowledge-based approaches to prevent gender-based violence are mainstreamed in Southern Africa among selected stakeholders, in strategic and economic sectors, and in regional partnerships.
Approach:
The programme works across society to comprehensively tackle gender-based violence. It supports dialogue between governments, the private sector and civil society with a view to promoting partnerships between different stakeholders.
In this context, the programme makes it a priority to apply lessons learned from flagship projects in other areas. It builds awareness and disseminates proven approaches to dealing with gender-based violence. This includes involving traditional or religious stakeholders in addressing the role of men in gender-based violence and in integrating digital tools in social and economic areas that are particularly affected.
The programme also advises selected companies on cost and profitability studies. These studies look at the financial losses caused by gender-based violence, both in the workplace and in the private sphere. On this basis, the programme develops preventive approaches in partnership with the companies. These approaches should be economically advantageous and, at the same time, serve as a model and incentive for other stakeholders.
In addition, the programme advises the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on how it can disseminate preventive approaches across its 16 member states. It also encourages cooperation and dialogue between the relevant national stakeholders.