End of Project Evaluation Report - Combat GBV and reduce the high incidence of school dropouts due to teenage pregnancy

Background:

Free Evangelical Christian Fellowship (FECF) started this project in 2017, and the main aim of the program has been to combat Gender Based Violence (GBV) and reduce the high incidence of school dropouts due to teenage pregnancy (TP). This evaluation was initiated by FECF in Eswatini and their sister church in Norway DFEF. It was considered relevant to assess the results achieved and extract lessons learned for the future of the Program, after 5 years of operations.

Purpose/objective:

The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the GBV and TP Programme, and produce recommendations in terms of the following five evaluation criteria: (I) relevance; (2) effectiveness; (3) efficiency; (4) impact orientation; (5) sustainability. The evaluation was to further assess the project strategies and activities, and the grade of achievement of the project results, purpose and goal and the impacts generated by the project (expected and/or unexpected) in the project’s target beneficiaries. The evaluation was also expected to generate clearly defined lessons learnt from the project and recommendations for possible future actions on the prevention of violence against women in the Shiselweni region.

Methodology:

A mixed methodology was applied, allowing for appropriate triangulation of information. The following methods were used: (1) Desk reviews of NATICC’s and external documents such as policies, reports, etc.; (2) Semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (conducted both physically and telephonically).

Key findings

• Overall, the perceived occurrence of GBV and TP has decreased in the villages targeted by the project.

• Most of the project activities were reasonably effective. Clear achievements can be pointed to under each of the expected results. In particular, the NATICC Team have produced or actively participated in the drafting of useful tools on GBV monitoring and reporting.

• The project has been credited for its advocacy efforts to include GBV and TP in the mandate of the Eswatini legislative framework. Interviews with female key informants and others also provided clear indication of the importance of the GBV and TP project’s support to report writing in the field presences. The design and facilitation of GBV trainings and briefings has been one of the projects most appreciated components.

• An impressive significant number of trainings and briefings have been implemented. The NATICC Team effectively influenced and shaped both social norms and cultural beliefs and its educational materials on preventing and responding to GBV and TP in a very positive and (eventually)  appreciated way.

• The GBV and TP project has positively contributed to building of confidence among the participants, especially for women and girls to talk and share issues of GBV. The project focal points have over the project period developed a cordial relationship with other community members shown by the willingness to report GBV and TP cases without coercion.

It was reported they have gained trust from the people and personal information is freely shared with them. The GBV and TP project is unique and has opened up the region to issues previously considered a taboo to talk about It is maybe premature to assess the impact of the GBV/ TP project, since it will take more than three years to see GBV and TP project’s potentially transformative effects. The major setback in the previous three years was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some of its concrete interventions are geared towards long-term contribution to prevention and responses to GBV and TP.

• In terms of normative changes, the GBV and TP project’s substantive contributed on prevention and response to conflict-related violence by community members is a key advancement towards a more systematic approach of NATICC in that matter.

• Several of the most important outputs of the project are likely to have a continued impact over the years, including the SODV act and Marriage on GBV as well as lessons-learnt products and other tools produced by the project.

Recommendations:

• It is recommended that NATICC be further supported to continue with GBV activities in the region to make use of the experienced gained and to consolidate what has been done at community level.

• To strengthen the impact of future GBV projects, a design that combines awareness creation, capacity building and a component of livelihoods or economic activities are recommended.

This will support the communities involved in reducing their vulnerability that directly contributes to GBV and TP. The economic activities should also target the youth.

• The project under assessment should consider creating activities such as school debates for in school youth and out of school youth, this will bring about stimulation of issues around GBV and TP.

• The project needs to embark on social marketing strategies which includes creating billboards with messages regarding GBV and TP in local language and the billboards can be placed in strategic positions.

• Given the years NATICC has worked in the Shiselweni region, there’s need for her to explore other social marketing strategies which may include operating a radio station which will be aired only in the region.

• Strengthen the GBV and TP pre- and in-service training to teachers, students, police and nurses.

Comments from the organisation:

The findings from this evaluation are very encouraging, and inspires local partner to continue its good work as they shift their geographical focus area in the next phase of the project. The given recommendations have been taken into consideration and implemented in the new Project

Comments from Digni:

Digni will follow up the findings and recommendations from the evaluation in the contact with DFEF and  artner, and also use it in relation to other projects working with this topic. Digni is very content because the project has been credited for its advocacy efforts to include GBV and TP in the mandate of the Eswatini legislative framework. We have seen in also earlier projects in Eswatini that they have managed to achieve results on an impact level.