Fundación Servicios Integrales para la Mujer - Si Mujer implemented the three-year project “Young People Challenging Gender Norms to Break the Silence that surrounds Sexual Violence in South-West Colombia” in Santiago de Cali and nearby municipalities in the state of Valle del Cauca, with the support of the UN Trust Fund from 2018 to 2021. The project aimed to address gender-based violence by empowering adolescents and youth to challenge harmful, unequal gender norms; lead community-based prevention and advocacy initiatives; and strengthen the capacities of civil society and public institutions to provide gender-sensitive services to survivors of sexual violence. The final evaluation found that the project successfully empowered and mobilized young people and leaders to challenge harmful gender norms, raise awareness on sexual violence, and advocate for their sexual and reproductive health rights.

In Morocco, Association Ennakhil implemented the three-year project “Combating gender-based violence in schools through the promotion of positive masculinity in Marrakech Safi region” in 2018-2021 with the support of the UN Trust Fund. The project worked with boys, girls, community members and media personnel to promote positive masculinity and improve attitudes and behaviours related to gender equality, to prevent gender-based violence in schools. The final evaluation revealed that the project successfully contributed to a positive shift in attitudes towards gender equality among school students and key communications, legal, medical and government actors.

In Uganda, the African Partners for Child Poverty implemented a three-year project “Combating Stigma Against Sexual Violence Survivors and their Children in Gulu District, Northern Uganda” with the support of the UN Trust Fund. The project aimed to reduce stigma against women and girl survivors of sexual violence. The final evaluation found that, despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was successfully implemented.

This independent, final evaluation presents the findings of the cluster evaluation of three small grant projects implemented between March 2017 and February 2020 and funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women:1. “Improving Access to Life With No Violence for Women Survivors in Central and Northern Montenegro”, implemented by SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence, Niksic;2. “Empowering Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Tetovo Region”, implemented by Women’s Forum–Tetovo in Montenegro; and3. “Actively and Publicly Combating Discrimination – Gender Based Violence”, implemented by the Center for Girls in Serbia. The final evaluation found that the empowerment and awareness-raising strategies implemented by the projects were effective, innovative and well adjusted to the target groups.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women funded Sahayog Society for Participatory Rural Development’s project “Partnering for Change” for three years. The project aimed to change gender relations and gender-biased social norms in order to increase gender equality and prevent violence against women. The final evaluation found that the project achieved significant changes in the target communities.

Between April 2017 and April 2020, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women funded the “Ranavalona Project: prevention, care and access to justice for girl survivors of sexual exploitation in Madagascar”, implemented by ECPAT France. The project primarily targeted 97 child survivors of sexual exploitation through a psychosocial and socioeconomic reintegration programme. The final evaluation found that the project’s strategies were successful and particularly efficient.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women funded “Addressing Violence Against Syrian Refugee Women in the Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq”, a project implemented by Women for Women International . The project aimed to support women affected by conflict, including Syrian refugees, members of the host community, and internally displaced populations in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. The evaluation found that the project was effective and improved the lives of the intended beneficiaries.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women provided funding to Pragya’s initiative “Comprehensive Primary Prevention Programme Addressing Violence against Ethnic Minority Women in India”. Implemented in five states, the project tackled violence against tribal women in broad areas – legal and political; youth education; prevention mechanisms; and support services. The evaluation concluded that the project significantly contributed to positive change in the lives of women in the targeted communities, and that knowledge generation will help sustain the progress made.

The Sexual Offences Awareness & Victims Rehabilitation (SOAR) Initiative implemented the project “Mobilizing Communities to end Sexual Based Violence Against Girls in Dushe local District of Abuja Municipal Area Council” with support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found the project had improved girls’ experience of safety and support in schools and their communities.

In March 2017, the Association Malienne pour le suivi et l’orientation des pratiques traditionnelles néfastes (AMSOPT) launched the initiative “Information and Sensitization against the Practices of FGM/C and Child Marriage in 30 Villages in Kayes Region”, supported by funds from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project contributed to a public commitment to abandon FGM/C and child marriage in 26 villages, and that the dialogue established between youths and adults on FGM/C and child marriage allowed an open and frank discussion on sensitive issue in the target communities.

The project “Preventing Violence through Creating Safer Schools” was implemented in Guyana by Help & Shelter between January 2016 and January 2019 with financial support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that school-aged girls who participated in the project felt more confident to speak out against violence and to seek support. Secondary school students trained during the project better understood gender-based violence and gained knowledge of laws related to gender-based violence, domestic violence and children’s rights.

Between January 2016 and December 2018, the Africa Alliance of YMCAs implemented the project “A Real Man Is” in Zambia and Kenya, with funding from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project left women and girls feeling safer and better protected from violence, and increased the engagement of men and boys in initiatives aimed at protecting women from physical and sexual violence.

The project “Kick against Violence”, implemented by Skillshare Nepal, was funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women from January 2016 to December 2017. The final evaluation concluded that the project contributed to behaviour change in girls and boys, specifically by increasing confidence to report gender-based violence and encouraging cooperation and respect among students.

The project “Curb Early Child Marriage Through Human Rights Education and Advocacy in Sindh, Pakistan”, implemented by the Sindh Community Foundation, was funded from January 2016 to December 2017 by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project had increased knowledge and shifted attitudes about the protection of girls from early marriage as well as the legal consequences of the Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act 2013.

The project “Improvement of Conditions for Access to a Life Free of Gender Violence for Women in El Salvador”, implemented by the Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz, was funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women from January 2015 to December 2017. The final evaluation concluded that the project increased the capacities of women and youth related to local civil services, enabling their participation in local decision-making.

The project “Abolition of Chhaupadi in the Far- and Mid-Western Regions of Nepal”, implemented by Restless Development Nepal, was funded from January 2015 to December 2017 by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found the project had significantly increased rejection of chhaupadi practices and that the national law that criminalizes such practices was contributing to the sustainability of the project’s results.

The project “Strengthening Women Survivors of Violence”, implemented by Asosiasaun Chega! Ba Ita, was funded from January 2015 to December 2017 by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project contributed to intergenerational collaboration amongst the women beneficiaries and strengthened relationships with civil society partners to support survivors of violence.

The project “Engaging Faith-Based Organizations to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls and Increase Survivors’ Access to Services”, implemented by Episcopal Relief and Development, was funded from January 2015 to December 2017 by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that local participation in faith-based activities – where awareness was raised about gender-based violence and available support services – resulted in significantly less violence against women and girls.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women funded Grassroot Soccer’s initiative “SKILLZ Street Plus”. The project aimed to improve the ability of girls aged 13 to 16 to choose intimate partners who respect gender equality and to prevent and address violence in their lives. The final evaluation concluded that the programme was well implemented, with coaches efficiently delivering school-based sessions.

In January 2015, Alliance against Discrimination of LGBT People launched the two-year project “Reduce Violence against Women, with Focus on LBT community in Albania”, with the support of the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project improved the lives of LBT women experiencing violence, especially of those living outside the capital, mainly through improved and more integrated care.