Research Reports & Articles

Whose voices matter? Using participatory, feminist and anthropological approaches to centre power and positionality in research on gender-based violence in emergencies

An expansive view of ‘rigorous’ research is needed, particularly when studying complex health and human rights issues in settings where the imbalance of power between research participants, users and producers is heightened. This article examines how applying participatory, feminist and anthropological methods in gender-based violence research can hold researchers accountable to both acknowledging and explicitly addressing these power disparities.

Pathways to change: Three decades of feminist research and activism to end violence against women in Nicaragua

This paper presents the results of nearly three decades of partnership between feminist researchers and activists to prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Nicaragua. A household survey conducted in 1995 in León, the country’s second-largest city, revealed that 55 per cent of women had experienced lifetime physical intimate partner violence (IPV), and 27 per cent had experienced IPV in the last 12 months. The study results were instrumental in changing domestic violence laws in Nicaragua. A follow-up study in 2016 found a decrease of 63 per cent in lifetime physical IPV and 70 per cent in 12-month physical IPV. This paper examines possible explanations for the reduction, including the policy reforms resulting from feminist advocacy.

THE "SORROW REMAINS INSIDE": Applying A Mixed Methods Approach to Understand the Relationship between Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health, Coping and Service Seeking among Lebanese and Syrian Refugee Women in Lebanon. 

Lebanese organization ABAAD, in coordination with the Global Women’s Institute, released their new 2020 Narrative Report, developed in part of GWI’s work to build the capacity of local organizations to conduct research on gender-based violence. This report addresses mental health among adult women survivors of gender-based violence in Lebanon in order to increase awareness among the affected population as well as educate healthcare providers about this intersection so that women and girls have greater access to quality services.

“If You Are Born a Girl in This Crisis, You Are Born a Problem”: Patterns and Drivers of Violence Against Women and Girls in Conflict-Affected South Sudan

This article presents the results of a qualitative study on the context and different forms of violence committed against women and girls in South Sudan. The study documents many forms of sexual and physical violence against women and girls in South Sudan, including conflict-related sexual violence, intimate partner violence, nonpartner sexual violence, child and forced marriage, and abduction. Violence occurred during three overarching contexts: armed conflict, gender inequality, and the economic crisis. The custom of bride price, combined with the economic crisis, is a key driver of many other forms of violence.

GBV and mental health among refugee and host community women in Lebanon

GWI in partnership with Abaad, a Lebanese organisation working on all aspects of GBV prevention and response, conducted a service-based study to understand gender-based violence (GBV) and mental health experiences and needs among Lebanese women and girls, in both refugee and host communities. In this piece for Forced Migration Review, they share key aspects of this action-oriented research and reflect on the value of researcher-practitioner collaborations, as well as provide recommendations for humanitarian actors to better collaborate in providing support to survivors with mental health needs. 

Gap Analysis of Gender-Based Violence in Humanitarian Settings: a Global Consultation

This Gap Analysis by Elrha and the Global Women’s Institute provides a systematic and comprehensive global assessment of gender-based violence (GBV) in humanitarian emergencies within the framework of GBV risk mitigation, response, and prevention.

This report provides an overview of the key gaps and needs across GBV risk mitigation, response and prevention to improve humanitarian outcomes for women and girls affected by GBV.

Rethinking Power Program Evaluation in Southeast Haiti

This report is the baseline results of the Rethinking Power program, an adaptation of the SASA! and PowertoGirls methodologies. The robust quantitative and qualitative data obtained through the baseline provide an in-depth diagnosis of the situation of different types of VAWG in Southeast Haiti. This quasi-experimental impact evaluation of the Rethinking Power program is carried out by GWI and Beyond Borders with the support of the NoVo Foundation and the Inter-American Development Bank. Published on February 2021.

You can also read the report in French here. 

No Safe Place: Prevalence and correlates of violence against conflict-affected women and girls in South Sudan

This paper is an in-depth analysis of the data from the What Works initiative study on VAWG in South Sudan.  The study found that women and girls in South Sudan suffer among the highest levels of physical and sexual violence in the world.  Although the prevalence of sexual assault by non-partners is four times the global average, women are still at greatest risk of physical and sexual assault from intimate partners.  Conflict-related and intimate partner violence reinforce each other and are upheld by restrictive gender norms and marital practices. The study concluded that expansion of comprehensive services, including health and psycho-social support for survivors is urgently needed. Moreover, policies and laws to prevent violence against women and provide survivors with access to justice should be given high priority within the ongoing peacebuilding process in South Sudan.

Pandemics and Violence Against Women and Children

This paper, co-authored by GWI Research Scientist Alina Potts, evaluates the key pathway between pandemics and violence against women and children (VAW/C) with the goal of informing further evidence generation and policy action while situating VAW/C within the broader need for intersectional gender- and feminist-informed pandemic response.

Long-term change in the prevalence of intimate partner violence: a 20-year follow-up study in Leon, Nicaragua, 1995-2016

Co-authored by GWI Director Dr. Mary Ellsberg, this article shares the results of GWI's follow up study on intimate partner violence (IPV) in León, Nicaragua, 20 years after the initial prevalence study, which was also led by Dr. Ellsberg. This study is the first to measure population-level change in the prevalence of IPV over a 20-year period.

The results suggest that the reduction in IPV was not due to demographic shifts, such as increased education or age, but reflects a true decrease in the prevalence of IPV. The decrease is not likely to have occurred on its own, and may be attributable to multisectoral investments in services, justice and social norms change. The article recognizes  the women's movement in Nicaragua as a driving force for this historic achievement.   

COVID-19: Reducing the risk of infection might increase the risk of intimate partner violence

Co-authored by GWI Research Scientist Alina Potts, this commentary discusses the COVID-19 quarantine and the immediate action needed to mitigate increases in IPV.

Nowhere to go: disclosure and help-seeking behaviors for survivors of violence against women and girls in South Sudan

This paper examines disclosure and help seeking behaviours of survivors of non-partner sexual violence (NPSV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) among women and girls aged 15–64 from three sites in South Sudan. It seeks to understand how exposure to armed conflict is associated with disclosure and help seeking practices.

Ending Violence against women and girls: Evaluating a decade of Australia’s development assistance

The Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE) commissioned this evaluation of Australia's development assistance for EVAWG to assess the progress made since the 2008 ODE evaluation, Violence Against Women in Melanesia and East Timor: Building on Global and Regional Promising Approaches, and conducted by the Global Women’s Institute (GWI) at the George Washington University and the Equality Institute through Coffey International Development.  

The evaluation found that Australia has provided strong and sustained leadership on EVAWG and been a leading donor. Overall the approaches used have aligned with best practice and made a significant contribution to EVAWG in the Indo-Pacific. The evaluation found that while progress has been made Australian leadership and long-term investments including those with local women's organizations remain critical. The report includes recommendations to guide Australia's policy engagement and aid investments on EVAWG over the next decade.

The evaluation is also accompanied by a brief, literature review and guidance papers.

What works to prevent violence against women and girls in conflict and humanitarian crisis: Synthesis Brief

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is an important human rights concern and a pervasive issue affecting women and girls during times of conflict and humanitarian crisis. Over the last five years, the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls research programme, funded by UK Aid, has been conducting research to expand the international community’s knowledge around VAWG and the effectiveness of programmes that seek to prevent and respond to this violence. This new brief synthesises the key results of What Works studies as well as other findings from contemporaneous research efforts published since 2015. It aims to provide an up-to-date resource for practitioners, policymakers and researchers on the state of evidence on VAWG in conflict and humanitarian settings and makes recommendations for VAWG policy, programming, and future research priorities.

Researching violence against women and girls in South Sudan: ethical and safety considerations and strategies

The aim of this paper is to present the main ethical challenges that occur when conducting research on VAWG in conflict and humanitarian settings, as well as potential strategies to address these challenges, based on a recent study carried out in South Sudan in 2016. This paper provides an analysis utilizing the World Health Organization guidelines on doing research on VAWG and in conflict and humanitarian settings.

Violence against Adolescent Girls: Trends and lessons for East Africa (Full Report)

This research study examines the unique experience of adolescent girls by specifically exploring the types of gender-based violence and the drivers of this violence affecting this group within the context of South Sudan, where women and girls experience high levels of gender inequality and subordination. Key findings from this mixed-methods research can inform policymakers, UN agencies and donors as they identify and support programs that will effectively prevent and respond to violence against adolescent girls in conflict and humanitarian settings. Read the policy brief.

Intersections of violence against women and girls with state-building and peace-building: Lessons from Nepal, Sierra Leone and South Sudan (Full Report)

As part of the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls program, funded by the UK Department for International Development, this study draw on three case countries – Nepal, Sierra Leone and South Sudan – to address gaps in evidence and understanding on violence against women and girls during post-conflict transition. In doing so, the study aims to increase recognition of the potential for state-building and peace-building processes to more effectively institutionalize approaches to violence against women and girls, and the role that addressing such violence can play in advancing sustainable peace. 

No Safe Place: A lifetime of violence for conflict-affected women and girls (Full Report)

As part of the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls program, funded by the UK Department for International Development, this project is the first of its kind to capture population-based prevalence data on violence against women and girls in a conflict setting. The findings from this groundbreaking study will be used to inform international policy and priorities. Read the policy brief.

No Safe Place: A lifetime of violence for conflict-affected women and girls (Summary Report)

As part of the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls program, funded by the UK Department for International Development, this project is the first of its kind to capture population-based prevalence data on violence against women and girls in a conflict setting. The findings from this groundbreaking study will be used to inform international policy and priorities. Read the policy brief.

Preventing Violence Against Women and Girls:  What does the evidence say?

GWI carried out a groundbreaking and comprehensive review of evidence-based interventions to prevent VAWG that are now being implemented around the world. GWI’s research identified several promising programs that measurably reduce violence.

The Lancet, a premier international medical journal, published the findings in a special issue on violence against women and girls. Effective prevention models were found to have common elements: most engaged both women and men, addressed underlying gender inequalities, involved community mobilization, and transformed social norms.  

The editors of The Lancet also produced a call to action in the issue, providing government leaders with specific policy recommendations for violence prevention.  

Building an evidence base: Global review of evidence about how to end violence against women (Review of reviews)

In partnership with the World Bank,  GWI carried out a comprehensive global review of the evidence base on effective interventions to prevent VAWG. The goal of the review was to broaden understanding on what works to reduce different forms of VAWG,  including intimate-partner violence,  child sexual abuse,  child and forced marriage and rape.

GWI conducted a systematic review of reviews that included 58 systematic and comprehensive reviews and over 300 individual impact evaluations.  It was published as part of the World Bank’s Voice and Agency Research Series, 2014.

Responding to Typhoon Haiyan: women and girls left behind 

As part of the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls program, this study in partnership with the International Rescue Committee, examines how VAWG prevention and mitigation were carried out in the early phases of the emergency response to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The findings from this study provide further lessons on the challenges of addressing VAWG in emergencies.

The effects of conflict and displacement on violence against adolescent girls in South Sudan: the case of adolescent girls in the Protection of Civilian sites in Juba

Based on secondary analysis of a larger study on VAWG in South Sudan, this article highlights the specific experience of conflict-affected adolescent girls resident in the Juba Protection of Civilian sites. Quantitative data from a cross-sectional household survey shows that the prevalence of non-partner sexual violence (NPSV) (26.5%) and intimate partner violence (IPV) (43.1% of partnered respondents) was high among a cohort of girls who were of adolescent age during the 2013 crisis.  

Exploring the Intersection of Violence Against Women and Girls With Post-Conflict Statebuilding and Peacebuilding Processes: A New Analytical Framework

This article makes three major contributions to guide researchers and policymakers in addressing VAWG in post-conflict contexts. First, it identifies critical gaps in understanding the intersection between VAWG and post-conflict statebuilding and peacebuilding processes. Second, it presents an ecological model to explore the drivers of VAWG during and after armed conflict. Third, it proposes a conceptual framework for analysing and addressing the intersections of VAWG with both post-conflict statebuilding and peacebuilding. The article concludes that application of this framework can help policymakers shape statebuilding and peacebuilding processes to more effectively institutionalise approaches to VAWG so that post-conflict transitions advance sustainable, positive peace.

Violence Against Adolescent Girls: Falling through the cracks?

This paper explores how and why current conceptual frameworks and evidence fail to address the specific conditions of adolescent girls and their vulnerability to violence as well as examine opportunities for strengthening policies and programs for responding to and preventing violence against adolescent girls.