Collective Action to Reduce Gender-Based Violence (CARE-GBV)

Foundational Elements for Gender-Based Violence Programming in Development

The Foundational Elements for Gender-Based Violence Programming in Development is a resource that focuses on strengthening USAID’s collective prevention and response, or “collective action,” in gender-based violence (GBV) development programming. The Foundational Elements provide guidance on addressing GBV at each phase of the Agency’s program cycle and in each development sector.

How to Notes

The USAID’s Collective Action to Reduce Gender-Based Violence (CARE-GBV) activity is centered on strengthening the agency’s collective prevention and response, or “collective action,” in GBV development programming across USAID. In consultation with USAID, CARE-GBV is creating a series of “how to” notes for USAID staff and implementing partners to strengthen the GBV programming portfolio. These notes leverage most recent research on specific topics that include international development programming, safeguarding policies, resilience and wellness strategies. These briefs are designed to help implementing partners and USAID Missions explore and strengthen their GBV programming.

1. How to identify and advance equitable social norms: This How-to Note on social norms highlights how social norms relate to GBV and includes guidance on how to identify, address, and monitor shifts in social norms, including gender norms. (عربى) (Français) (Español)
2. How to use USAID’s Interactive Maps on the Prevalence of Child, Early, and Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: This how-to note orients users to the interactive maps on child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).  The maps can help USAID missions, operating units, and implementing partners identify where CEFM and FGM/C are occurring globally, including “hot spots” (areas of higher prevalence) at the subnational level. (عربى) (Français) (Español) CEFM and FGM/C Maps.
3. How to implement a survivor-centered approach to GBV programming: This how-to note focuses on helping USAID implementing partners who have a role in GBV programming to understand how programs can achieve a survivor-centered approach. (عربى) (Français) (Español) Infographic for survivor-centered programming.
4. How to integrate mental health and psychosocial (MHPSS) interventions in gender-based violence (GBV) programs in low-resource settings: This how-to note describes MHPSS interventions and how USAID and implementing partners can integrate these interventions into GBV prevention and response activities. The note defines key terminology and provides a rationale for why MHPSS interventions are important components of GBV programming. It also provides a framework to guide the design and implementation of GBV MHPSS interventions, program considerations, illustrative activities, a case study, and succinct “dos and don’ts” for MHPSS programming. (عربى) (Français) (Español)
5. How to embed self- and collective care within organizations addressing gender-based violence: This how-to note describes how to embed self- and collective care at different organizational levels; reflects on the roles funders can play to create an enabling environment for incorporating self-and collective care in GBV work; and concludes with practical suggestions to support staff in putting these ideas and strategies into action. (عربى) (Français) (Español)
6. How to use site visits to strengthen gender-based violence interventions: This how-to note aims to provide practical guidance to USAID staff and IPs on how to plan, host, and conduct safe and ethical site visits to strengthen GBV interventions. Site visits are an opportunity to assess the extent to which GBV is being effectively considered in activity implementation. However, these visits can also create serious risks for survivors, their families and communities, service providers, and the site visit team. Accordingly, site visits must be carefully executed in a participatory manner to protect the safety and well-being of everyone directly or peripherally involved. (عربى) (Français) (Español)
7. How to prevent, mitigate, and respond to gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic: This how-to note provides guidance on adapting GBV programming in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. It identifies key reasons for why organizations addressing GBV must continue to adjust to the shifting landscape and describes how organizations can adapt by providing a curated list of resources for navigating, identifying, and applying those most relevant for their work.
8. How to build, strengthen, and maintain gender-based violence referral networks: This how-to note guides practitioners working across sectors in how to build, strengthen, and maintain referral networks for survivors of gender-based violence. (Español)
9. How to Use Mission Strategies to Guide GBV Programming: This how-to note provides guidance to support USAID Missions in developing a Mission-specific strategy for GBV programming. This note explains what a Mission strategy on GBV is, details how a strategy it can support a Mission to develop quality guidelines for GBV programming, and provides approaches to develop the strategy.
10. How to engage locally led organizations in GBV programming: This how-to note emphasizes the importance of USAID staff and implementing partners (IPs) engaging locally led organizations in GBV programming. The note includes a framework and practical strategies, and it provides USAID staff and IPs with guidance for continuous reflection, learning, and adaptation.

Learning Agenda for Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Development Contexts

This learning agenda for addressing GBV in development contexts highlights seven stakeholder-identified themes for research and learning as well as the gaps in evidence that can strengthen USAID’s collective GBV prevention, mitigation, and response work globally. Guiding principles for implementing this learning agenda focus on learning that acknowledges intersectionality and integrates approaches to decolonize international development assistance.

Infographic for Survivor-Centered Programming

Infographic for survivor-centered programming: This infographic displays the key aspects of a survivor-centered approach including four guiding principles and six strategies to reach survivor agency, dignity, and empowerment.

(عربى) (Français) (Español)

Child, early, and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU) and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C)

Child, early, and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU) and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) are human rights violations that cause physical and emotional harm, and undermine efforts to promote maternal and child health, education, child protection, food security, economic growth, sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. The resources on this page will support USAID and its partners across all sectors to design and implement programs in ways that prevent and respond to these harmful practices.

CEFMU Resources 

1. Theory of Change articulates a vision for ending CEFMU by 2030 and related impacts and outcomes.
2. Implementation Plan provides a road map for how USAID can contribute to the vision of ending CEFMU by 2030.
3. Learning Agenda offers a set of strategic questions for which USAID can produce evidence and findings.
4. Custom Indicators assess progress toward intended CEFMU results.

FGM/C Resources

1. Theory of Change articulates a vision for ending FGM/C by 2030 and related impacts and outcomes.
2. Implementation Plan provides a road map for how USAID can contribute to the vision of ending FGM/C by 2030.
3. Learning Agenda offers a set of strategic questions for which USAID can produce evidence and findings.
4. Custom Indicators assess progress toward intended FGM/C results.

Interactive maps on child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C)

USAID’s Collective Action to Reduce Gender-Based Violence (CARE-GBV) has launched Interactive maps on child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), which display the prevalence of CEFM and FGM/C and related indicators across countries where these harmful practices occur. Stakeholders can use the maps to identify locations with high rates of CEFM and FGM/C, particularly “hot spots” at national and subnational levels. This information, along with a context analysis can help inform the implementation of programming to help reduce these harmful practices. The maps also show how education, wealth, and other secondary indicators interact with the prevalence of CEFM and FGM/C.