The Cameroon Association for the Protection and Education of the Child (CAPEC) implemented the three-year project “Community-based Prevention of Sexual Violence on Women and Girls” in Cameroon between 2020 and 2022 with the support of the UN Trust Fund. The project aimed to improve: access to services for survivors of violence against women and girls; and existing policies and laws to guarantee friendly environments for women and girls. The final evaluation found that project had achieved its main objectives and constructively addressed the challenges posed by COVID-19.

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 “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.

From March 2017 to February 2019, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women provided Corporación Humanas with funding to implement their project “It Happens to Me, I tell, I prevent”. The project aimed to reduce public forms of gender-based violence against women with disabilities, women living with HIV/AIDS, and other groups of women that are particularly vulnerable to violence. The final evaluation found that the project had strengthened the capabilities of local women’s organizations, empowering their members to lead more effective initiatives to prevent gender-based violence.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women provided funds for the Autonomous Women’s Center’s project “No Tolerance for Gender Based-Violence” between January 2016 and December 2018. The initiative disseminated information, changed individual attitudes, raised awareness about gender-based violence, and facilitated advocacy activities. The final evaluation found that the Center increased youth understanding of gender-based violence and contributed to changing boys’ attitudes about it.

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 “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.

Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha implemented the project “Safe Schools Safe Communities” between January 2014 and December 2016 with grant support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project succesfully addressed the specific needs of girls to allow them to be empowered and protected from gender-based violence in their schools and community.

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.

ALAFIA received funding from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women to implement the project “Eradication of harmful customary widowhood practices that can lead to HIV/AIDS infection” in 24 villages in Togo. The final evaluation showed that the project ended degrading and humiliating widowhood rites against women in these villages and established the principle of equal sharing of inheritance between women and men.

Between January 2015 and December 2016, the Mongolian Women’s Fund (MONES) implemented the “Securing State Investment to Prevent Gender-Based Violence in Schools” project, funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project changed boys’ and girls’ knowledge and perception of gender-based violence and helped them to acquire confidence in their right to enjoy a safe school environment.

Voice for Change implemented the project "Advocacy on Ending Violence against Women" between February 2013 and January 2016 in Jiwaka province of Papua New Guinea, with funding from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project significantly increased awareness through its training programme, and that the project became stronger and more resilient owing to direct community engagement.

From December 2013 to March 2015, the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women provided funding to the Ukrainian Women Fund for its initiative “Young Girls Leaders Promote Strong Stand against VAW among their Peers”. The final evaluation found that the project strategies were particularly efficient in promoting ideas of gender equality and zero-tolerance to violence against women and girls.

Women’s Initiative for Gender Justice received a grant from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women for its project “Advancing Gender Justice in Countries under ICC investigation” from January 2013 to December 2015. The evaluation found that the project improved medical and psychological documentation of sexual assault, strengthened police investigations and increased the likelihood of justice and reparations for women and girl survivors of sexual violence.

The project Transitional Justice: Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Ensuring Women’s Participation was implemented by the International Center for Transitional Justice from November 2012 to October 2015, and received a three-year grant from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that this complex project in six countries achieved some results despite of a range of implementation challenges.

The project Enhancing a Community-Based, Multi-Sectoral Response to Gender-Based Violence in Ban Mae Nai Soi and Ban Mae Surin, Karenni Refugee Camps, was implemented by the International Rescue Committee from November 2012 to October 2015 and received a three-year grant from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project had made a significant impact overall, including on the psychosocial wellbeing of survivors of violence who accessed services provided.

The project Integrated Response to Gender-Based Violence against Women in Serbia was implemented by the UN Country Team in Serbia from November 2012 to October 2015 and received a three-year grant from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project had contributed significantly to the building of an integrated response of the UN Country Team, the Serbian Government and development partners to violence against women by improving capacities of key stakeholders to implement measures to address the violence.

Samvedana is an intervention programme aimed at reducing violence against women in sex work in Karnataka, India. It was implemented from December 2011 to July 2015 by the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust and received a three-year grant from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that female sex workers and community-based organizations gained knowledge about violence against women and its relation to health and wellbeing, and felt empowered to address the issue collectively

The project Uruguay Unites to End Violence Against Women, Girls and Adolescents was implemented by the UN Country Team from January 2012 to December 2014 and received a three-year grant from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The final evaluation found that the project made important progress and that the participation of multiple stakeholders from civil society, the Uruguay Government and the UN system was new and bold.