“I got courage from knowing that even a daughter-in-law can earn her living”: Mixed methods evaluation of a family-centred intervention to prevent violence against women and girls in Nepal

Abstract

Background We developed, and pilot tested a family focused intervention Sammanit Jeevan "Living with Dignity" to reduce gender-based violence by husbands, change harmful social and gender norms and improve the economic conditions of women through young married women-led income generating activities (IGAs). Methods We conducted a modified interrupted time series study and qualitative research to evaluate the intervention in two migrant communities in Baglung district, Nepal. We enrolled young married women, their husbands and in-laws from 100 families. 200 women and 157 men completed questionnaires before the programme, and 6, 12 and 18 months afterwards. 18 in-depth interviews were conducted before the programme and 6 and 12 months later. We analysed the data for trends. Results The intervention positively impacted young married women's economic conditions, exposure to violence and changed inequitable gender attitudes. Some positive outcomes were observed among older women and men. Young women's past month earnings (35.0%-81.3%, β = 0.11, p-value<0.001) and savings (29.0%-80.2%, β = 0.14, p-value<0.001) more than doubled over time. Young women experienced much less past year physical IPV over time (10%-4.4%, β =-0.08, p-value = 0.077). They also perceived that their mothersin-law were less cruel (mean 9.0-8.6, β =-0.03, p-value = 0.035). Improvements were observed in young women's individual (mean 44.4-43.3, β =-0.04, p-value = 0.297) and

Development and Feasibility of a Group, Household Level Intervention To Improve Preconception Health in Rural Nepal.

“…34 We identi ed one past intervention that engaged married women, their husbands and mothers-in-law to reduce violence, address gender norms, and provide economic opportunities for young women, which was found to be effective at impacting some of these outcomes. 35 Overall, the intervention was successfully implemented and welcomed by district level stakeholders. Therefore, it could be scaled up with few minor modi cations in the content, approach and preparation of information, education, communication/behavior change communication materials.…”

Elements of the Design and Implementation of Interventions to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls Associated with Success: Reflections from the What Works to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls? Global Programme

“…Most of the interventions were developed for both women and men in intimate relationships; however, in Central and South Asia, the socio-cultural context pointed to the importance of work with families. The intervention was first developed in Tajikistan as Zindagii Shoista [29], and later adapted for Nepal as Sammanit Jeevan [30]. These cultural contexts involving other family members, particularly in-laws, was considered critical for enabling young women's attendance and supporting them to implement new ideas.…”

“…To our knowledge, this is the first endeavour to look across multiple VAWG prevention interventions and ask the question of why some interventions are more effective than others when using a proven intervention approach. Although previously reflections on good practice have been published [30,42,43]. We have focused our attention on areas of intervention design and implementation associated with success, and have identified ten aspects, among which, six we argue are essential for all interventions and four are required for appropriate interventions.…”

Women's intergenerational intimate partner violence and household child abuse in Burma (Myanmar)

“…For example, effective interventions to prevent child abuse, such as early childhood home visitations, parenting skill and family relationship programs, and school enrichment and family engagement interventions, may also interrupt developmental pathways that put women and men at risk of IPV victimization and perpetration ( Fortson et al, 2016 ; Niolon et al, 2017 ; World Health Organization, 2016 ). Adaptation of family-centered interventions that aim to prevent multiple forms of household violence may be effective given the intergenerational and intrahousehold nature of violence in this context ( Shai et al, 2020 ). More research is needed on shared risk factors for child abuse and IPV in Burma (Myanmar).…”

“…Notably, a global conversation is emerging on the similarities between the norms sustaining both violence against women and violence against children, such as norms that promote acceptance of violence or norms that limit intervention to interrupt family violence as it occurs ( Kenny & Cislaghi, 2019 ). Evolving programmatic efforts to prevent IPV and violence against children through transformative social norms change, such as community mobilization efforts and family-centered interventions, may be adaptable to the Burma (Myanmar) context ( Abramsky et al, 2014 ; Kyegombe et al, 2015 ; Shai et al, 2020 ).…”