The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Cameroon implemented a three-year project, “Making Violence against Women and Girls History in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon”, with the support of the UN Trust Fund. The project aimed to ensure that women and girls in the two regions were better protected from violence and empowered to realize their right to live free from violence. The final evaluation found that the project helped make women more aware of gender-based violence, more willing to talk about it, and more confident to approach legal services to demand justice; and were advocating for the promotion of their rights.

In the Murewa, Goromonzi and Kwekwe/Zibagwe districts of Zimbabwe, the Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT) implemented a three-year project, “Voices from the Fringes: Sex Workers and Adolescent Girls and Young Women Action against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence”, supported by the UN Trust Fund under the Spotlight Initiative. This project aimed to promote women’s sexual and reproductive health rights and address sexual and gender-based violence by bringing the marginalized voices and concerns of female sex workers, adolescent girls and young women from the fringes to the fore in the interventions to end such violence. The final evaluation found that the project’s objectives were covered effectively and that the project surpassed its target of 18 solidarity groups for female sex workers, adolescent girls and young women.

Fund for Congolese Women (Fonds pour les Femmes Congolaises) implemented a three-year project, “Prevention and Reduction of Violence in Schools”, with the support of the UN Trust Fund. The project aimed to ensure that 600 girls in 10 target provinces feel safer and better equipped to protect themselves against sexual violence in schools in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The final evaluation found that girls in schools had increased knowledge of the rights of women and girls, the various forms of sexual violence, and the laws against sexual violence.

In Zimbabwe, Voluntary Services Overseas in collaboration with Women and Law in Southern Africa implemented the “SPEAK IT LOUD” project with the support of the UN Trust Fund under the Spotlight Initiative. This three-year project centred on amplifying the voices of women’s movements to address violence against women and girls in Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Manicaland provinces in Zimbabwe. The final evaluation found that, despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the denial of a no-cost extension, the project achieved in part its goals.

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.

Peruvian Women's Centre Flora Tristán implemented the project “Indigenous women ‘My city, my space’: local answers to violence and discrimination” with support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women for three years. The project aimed to reduce the risk of violence and racial/ethnic discrimination in public spaces for indigenous Amazonian women and girls in Satipo province. The final evaluation found that the project surpassed its goals.

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 project “Improving the Well-being of SGBV Survivors Among Syrian Refugees and Vulnerable Jordanian Women” was implemented by the Arab Women Organization of Jordan (AWO) between April 2017 and March 2019, supported by a grant from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. The initiative aimed to enhance the response to sexual and gender-based violence in two of Jordan’s regions, Irbid and Mafraq, by improving social protection and prevention mechanisms. The final project evaluation found that it was highly effective and reached over seven times the target number of 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 “Give Payment Not Abuse: Protecting Informal Women Traders in Dar es Salaam from Violence against Women”, implemented by Equality for Growth Limited, was funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women from January 2015 to December 2017. The final evaluation found that the project contributed to a better trading environment for female market traders.

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 “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.

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.

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.