As the Young Women for Awareness, Agency, Advocacy, and Accountability (YW4A) Initiative enters its final year, the 2024 SVRI Forum presented valuable insights that underscore the importance of the Initiative. The discussions and strategies presented at the event not only highlighted the critical gaps in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) response but also provided a roadmap for addressing these gaps in innovative ways.
The key takeaways from SVRI2024 offer a strong foundation for making the case for the continuation of YW4A, emphasizing why investment in the programme is necessary to build on its successes and extend its impact.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2024 SVRI FORUM
- Technology-Enabled Case Management and Support
One of the most significant takeaways from the Forum was the emphasis on real-time referral systems to enhance response times and service delivery in cases of SGBV. A notable example is MOSAIC’s SAFE methodology, which uses WhatsApp-based “cells” for real-time case management and offers a model for more efficient coordination among healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community volunteers.
The ARCHES model also highlights the importance of local stakeholder involvement in creating effective referral systems, integrating youth and women’s group representatives and community-based providers like Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) into the referral network. Researchers studying digital interventions, such as chatbots and WhatsApp groups, used to reduce violence also alluded to the ParentText intervention in South Africa, demonstrating that WhatsApp groups paired with in-person sessions improved engagement and reduced physical abuse.
The YW4A Initiative has already implemented digital tools to provide support, such as virtual safe spaces, especially in Palestine, where young women face movement restrictions due to the ongoing conflict, and a hotline to report cases within faith institutions in Egypt. However, the potential to expand and refine these systems using the latest technology is immense. By integrating these modern tools, YW4A could further streamline the support process, ensuring survivors access the care they need without unnecessary delays, especially in remote or conflict-affected areas.
- Holistic Support Models: One-Stop Centres and Survivor-Centered Approaches
A key takeaway from the Forum was the importance of One-Stop Centres that offer integrated medical, legal, and psychosocial support to reduce trauma and simplify access to services. One-stop centers in Kenya and Thuthuzela Care Centres in South Africa provide integrated services, combining medical, legal, and psychological support in a single location. Streamlining support services for survivors ensures holistic care and reduces the burden of navigating multiple service points.
YW4A has made strides in establishing referral maps and can enhance its approach by consolidating services through the Gender and SGBV technical working groups involving women’s rights and faith-based organisations. Expanding safe spaces into One-Stop Centres would strengthen the ability to deliver comprehensive, survivor-centred care, particularly in countries like South Sudan and Palestine, where service access is fragmented.
- Community-Led Data Collection for Better Programmes
Another key takeaway was the importance of data-driven approaches to understanding SGBV dynamics. At the 2024 SVRI Forum, speakers highlighted how community-led data collection efforts are essential for capturing the lived experiences of survivors and understanding local needs. YW4A has adopted the World YWCA Feminist Consultation methodology, which challenges traditional research methods. This approach prioritises young women by putting them at the centre and front of the research process, ensuring that the data collected truly reflects their experiences, insights, and needs.
By embracing this methodology, YW4A has empowered young women to participate in and shape the research that impacts their lives. This participatory approach ensures that interventions are not only informed by community voices but are also tailored to the unique challenges and aspirations of the young women in the programme. By formalising and expanding this data collection model, YW4A can continue to refine its strategies, ensuring they remain relevant and effective in addressing the ever-evolving needs of young women across its regions.
- Prevention Through Education and Training
The importance of prevention strategies was underscored at the Forum, emphasising education-based interventions to address the root causes of SGBV. In particular, school-based prevention programmes have shown great promise in altering young people’s understanding of consent, gender roles, and respect. YW4A has already initiated these programmes through school clubs and school-based safe spaces, where young people are building their capacity to become community leaders and advocates. Expanding these prevention efforts in schools and youth centres would not only reduce future incidents of violence but also create a generation of young people more equipped to challenge harmful gender norms and stereotypes.
- Sustainable Funding Models and Diversification
A key takeaway from the conference was the need for sustainable funding models to support long-term interventions. Many SGBV programmes face fluctuating donor priorities and limited funding cycles. To secure the future of interventions, it is essential to diversify funding sources, ensuring that the programme can continue its work without interruption. SVRI showcased how integrating social enterprise models—such as youth-led businesses or partnerships with the private sector—can offer alternative revenue streams. By adopting these strategies, the progress and impact of this work continue uninterrupted.
- Parenting Interventions and Shifting Gender Attitudes
The Global Parenting Initiative shared groundbreaking insights on parenting interventions designed to reduce violence against both women and children. A major finding was that community-led interventions focused on small, achievable shifts in gender attitudes are often more effective. This concept aligns with YW4A’s work, especially in Kenya and South Sudan, where community-based programmes have already impacted. The importance of engaging both men and women in conversations about gender roles, consent, and violence prevention was highlighted, which could further strengthen interventions by including more male participants in its initiatives.
Building on Progress
The ongoing challenges faced by young women in regions like South Sudan, Palestine, Kenya, and Egypt underline the importance of sustaining and building on YW4A’s progress. While the programme has already achieved significant milestones in addressing systemic barriers, the need for further action remains critical. The insights from the SVRI Forum provide a valuable roadmap for how the YW4A initiative can evolve, particularly in adapting its approach to the shifting needs of these communities.
By continuing to invest in YW4A, we can ensure that its proven model reaches more young women, deepening its impact and expanding its reach. The foundational work accomplished so far is promising, but the potential to create lasting change remains vast. The programme’s ability to adapt, scale, and integrate new learnings ensures that it can continue to serve as a powerful force for good, making a tangible difference in young women’s lives and their communities.
