Finding ways together to build resilience the vulnerability and risk assessment methodology

The VRA in the Bobirwa Sub-district, Botswana, was conducted in collaboration with ASSAR partners University of Botswana, University of Cape Town and University of Namibia. ASSAR is one of five research programmes funded under the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA), with financial support from the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DfID) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada. Oxfam is one of the consortium leads of ASSAR. The views expressed in this report are solely those of the authors. ASSAR is not responsible for its content.agriculture; food security; livelihoods; climate change adaptation; resilience; Vulnerability; risk; Social groups; Gender; Development; Landscape; Afghanistan; Armenia; Bangladesh; Botswana; Ghana; Myanmar; Philippines

Experiences of female survivors of sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: a mixed-methods study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the deadliest since World War II. Over a decade of fighting amongst an array of armed groups has resulted in extensive human rights abuses, particularly the widespread use of sexual violence against women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using a mixed-methods approach, we surveyed a non-random sample of 255 women attending a referral hospital and two local non-governmental organizations to characterize their experiences of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). We then conducted focus groups of 48 women survivors of SGBV to elaborate on survey findings. Quantitative and qualitative data underwent thematic and statistical analysis respectively.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Of the women surveyed, 193 (75.7%) experienced rape. Twenty-nine percent of raped women were rejected by their families and 6% by their communities. Thirteen percent of women had a child from rape. Widowhood, husband abandonment, gang rape, and having a child from rape were significant risk factors for social rejection. Mixed methods findings show rape survivors were seen as "contaminated" with HIV, contributing to their isolation and over 95% could not access prophylactic care in time. Receiving support from their husbands after rape was protective against survivors' feelings of shame and social isolation.</p> <p>Interpretation</p> <p>Rape results not only in physical and psychological trauma, but can destroy family and community structures. Women face significant obstacles in seeking services after rape. Interventions offering long-term solutions for hyper-vulnerable women are vital, but lacking; reintegration programs on SGBV for women, men, and communities are also needed.</p

Household Survey for Evaluation of Lebanon Women's Empowerment Project, 2014

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Household Survey for Evaluation of Lebanon Women's Empowerment Project, 2014 data were collected by Oxfam GB as part of the organisation’s Global Performance Framework. Under this framework, a small number of completed or mature projects are selected at random each year for an evaluation of their impact, known as an Effectiveness Review. The data were used to evaluate the impact of the "Women's Access to Justice in the MENA Region" project, which took place in Lebanon between January 2013 and July 2014. The project aimed to improve the status and lives of women and girls in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, by enhancing the quality of legal services for poor and vulnerable women. The project was implemented on four levels of intervention: individual, community, institutional, and policy. At the individual level, participants engaged in awareness-raising sessions to share knowledge on women's rights, and the project provided lawyers free of charge. At the community level, the project identified community leaders as actors of change, who also received training and participated in awareness-raising sessions. Institutionally, the project worked with lawyers and courts to create a better environment for women to access the judicial system. The data collection took place during December 2014 in four regions: the El Metn region, where communities had been involved in the project, and three other communities which served as the control for the evaluation. Oxfam employed a quasi-experimental approach for the evaluation, matching participants of the program with women from the control communities who were similar in a range of characteristics. In total, data were collected from 675, of which 225 had participated in the project. Anonymisation: The following variables have been recoded so as to prevent unique cases that may allow identification of the respondents: household size (capped at 8), marital status (combined categories), age of household members (grouped by 5-year intervals), and size of house (capped at '8+ rooms'). Few data points specifying a respondent's religion have been removed to prevent unique cases. Data concerning a respondent's experience with gender-based violence have been removed, as these data are particularly sensitive. Main Topics:Women's empowerment, access to judicial systems and awareness of rights for women in the MENA region

Household Survey for Evaluation of Rwanda Women’s Empowerment Project, 2013

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.The Household Survey for Evaluation of Rwanda Women’s Empowerment Project, 2013 data were collected by Oxfam GB as part of the organisation's Global Performance Framework. Under this framework, a small number of completed or mature projects are selected at random each year for an evaluation of their impact, known as an Effectiveness Review. This data was used to evaluate the impact of the 'Women's Economic Leadership through Horticulture Material-Planting Business' project in Rwanda, which was implemented in four districts of Rwanda between August 2011 and March 2014 by Oxfam and a local partner. The project aimed to strengthen women's capacity for engaging in the production of pineapple planting material, and thereby to enhance women’s socio-economic status at household and community level. Among the key project activities was the provision of training and mentorship in improved agricultural planting-material techniques and business development. Women were also trained in cross-cutting issues, such as HIV/AIDS and gender promotion. In addition to these activities, the project aimed to improve women farmers' access to credit through microfinance. The data collection for the evaluation took place in March 2014 in two of the participating districts. All 216 women who participated in the project in these districts were targeted for the survey, though 188 were actually located and interviewed. For comparison purposes, 415 women were selected at random from nearby villages where the project had not been implemented. The evaluation adopted a quasi-experimental approach to compare between participant and comparison women, to assess the impact of the project on women’s empowerment. Anonymisation: Names of villages have been dropped from the dataset. The following variables have been recoded so as to prevent unique cases that may allow identification of the respondents: household size (capped at 10), the age of household members (grouped by 5-year intervals), principal job of respondent and household head (combined categories), and materials of roof and floor of house (combined categories). Data concerning a respondent's experience with gender-based violence have been removed, as these data are particularly sensitive. Main Topics:Women's empowerment, impact of business and agricultural training on women's economic leadership