Mid-Term Project Evaluation Report; Address Gender Based Violence and Child Abuse in the Shiselweni Region

Background:
Gender based violence is one of the critical areas of concern in Swaziland, profoundly affecting women and children. Approximately 1 in 4 females in Swaziland experience physical violence as a child, and among youth aged 18-24 about 9% have experienced coerced sexual intercourse before they turned eighteen (18) (UNICEF National Study on Violence against Children and Young Women in Swaziland. 2007). During the lifetime of a woman, about a third experience some form of sexual violence. In Swaziland hardly a day passes without the media reporting a gross act of gender based violence perpetrated against women and girls. Recent surveillance report reflects abuse trends of 22% for men and 78% for women. The most prevalent forms of abuse are physical, emotional and sexual. 

Purpose/objective:
• To assess the extent to which the care project has improved the quality of life for Survivors of Gender based violence.
• To assess the relevance of GBV prevention, care and support services and legal to priorities and needs of the target beneficiaries.
• To assess the extent to which the project has improved GBV reporting in target communities
• To assess the extent to which knowledge and awareness of child abuses practices and gender based violence acts
• To assess the extent to which access and demand for services addressing gender based violence and child abuse among residents of Shiselweni
• To assess the capacity of NATICC staff and partners to provide appropriate and effective services to survivors  of gender based violence and child abuse
• To assess the sustainability of provision GBV services in the absence of external support/implementing agency.
• To assess the capacity of traditional leaders in handling GBV cases at community level.
•  To provide specific recommendations and lessons learnt that NATICC can utilize in designing future programs.
• To assess added value from DFEF/DIGNI(donor organizations) to the project

Methodology:
Consistent with the principles of this evaluation, the approach used for data collection was mainly participatory with the intentions of building on the work that NATICC has done over the past three (3) years. During the data collection phase in cities and communities, the consultants at all stages, gave the opportunity to beneficiaries and project stakeholders to freely express themselves on activity implementation, achievements and difficulties experienced along the way. The Consultant in addition, analysed documents produced by NATICC, its partners and NGOs on the theme of Gender Based Violence.

Key findings:
The team found the current coordinated community response approach, which aims to provide survivors with an integrated service provider, to be an effective model. The system provides the survivor with a more comprehensive, victim-cantered service. The service processes were found to be “engaging (inclusive) and consultative, thereby making clients feel empowered.” This coordinated community approach to addressing gander based violence is recommended (and in fact required) under the Draft National guidelines on GBV. The team found that the dual-pronged approach of providing direct services at the same time as conducting public outreach and sensitization campaigns/activities at all levels – at community level – is the most effective approach to comprehensively address GBV in Swaziland. These initiatives have successfully “broken the silence” regarding GBV in Swaziland, transforming deeply entrenched attitudes and norms. The motivation and full support of GBV prevention by community leaders and the establishment of regional GBV prevention networks which are key to comprehensive GBV care. Lack of shelter for housing GBV survivors was noted as a cause of concern as these waters down all the efforts the
project and its partners have put in place.

Recommendations:
Along with consolidation and strengthening of existing GBV services and activities, the evaluation team recommends increased availability of resources and to focus on areas that have not received sufficient attention to date. These are as follows:
• Increased Economic Empowerment:
• Enhance Capacity of GBV Services and Community Providers to Prevent HIV and Provide Referrals/Follow-up to HIV Care and Support Services:
• Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Additional Financial Support:

Comments from the organisation, if any:
Generally, we feel this is a good report. Most of the recommendations are realistic and add value to the set goals and objectives of the project and if adopted, this project will certainly realize its desired impact, which is that of improving the quality of life for the survivors of gender based violence. Special mention was made regarding the fact that our project is community based and addresses the plight of the poor and the marginalized, especially women and girls whose rights are mostly taken for granted.