Adolescents are uniquely impacted by GBV: their young age and inexperience with relationships can heighten their risk for physical and sexual intimate partner violence. Being a victim of GBV during adolescence can lead to long-lasting negative mental and physical health outcomes, and can set young women on a trajectory for subsequent abuse.
Several research interventions funded by the Development Marketplace: Innovations to Address GBV show promise in engaging with adolescents and youths to reduce GBV.
IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS
La Strada Moldova studied the effects of the “Harmonious family relationships” course, delivered to Moldovan teenagers from 10th–12th grades to teach assertive communication along
with increased ability to manage family conflicts and develop sustainable relationships. The course increased teenagers’ ability to recognize signs of manipulation and abuse, as well as knowledge of risky behaviors. Stereotypes and outdated perceptions about gender norms and sexual violence were also reduced. As a result of a successful pilot, the Moldovan Ministry of Education is considering rolling out the course to additional schools.
REDUCING CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT
In Eswatini, the University of California, San Diego and University of Eswatini studied the prevalence and correlates of sexual abuse victimization of female university students at the
University of Eswatini, through quantitative study and survivor in-depth interviews. The soon to-be published findings reveals high levels of sexual violence experienced in student lifetimes
(over 50%), and a significant association between symptoms consistent with depression, and experience of lifetime sexual assault, food insecurity, and street-based sexual harassment.
They are using their learnings to adapt the EAAA intervention for the Eswatini context. EAAA was found to reduce sexual assault by 50% among university women in Canada. It is designed to help young women collectively recognize gendered social norms that put all women at risk of experiencing sexual assault, and to build their confidence resisting men who mean them harm.
The adapted program is named Betintfo in siSwati. The team trained facilitators to implement the program, and ran a pilot test. They are undertaking a study
examining the intervention.
Read more here: https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/832571571686567453/Working-with-Adolescents-to-Reduce-GBV.pdf
