Describe the main features of the measure/initiative:
The organisation is implementing a Sexual and Gender Based Violence project that is focusing on raising awareness on SGBV awareness against young girls and women through edutainment.The projet also there to promote human rights and fondamental freedoms for young girls and women. The YES Trust Zimbabwe is conducting awareness campaigns in Bulilima District through use of different approaches such as:
Road Shows: these are conducted in high traffic places like markets and trading centres with the major aim of mobilizing people and creating awareness about a brand or services or campaign. It’s done on a big rig that is well branded and mounted with a public address system.
Entertainment: This involves unique and innovative Radio and TV drama mini-series developed and aired on selected stations. They play a key role in educating masses through entertainment. This is expected to increase community members’ knowledge on SGBV in order to influence their attitudes, behaviors and practices.
Distributing the drama series to selected radio and TV stations Film shows/Documentaries. Film shows are conducted in different locations in the heart of the community. Films or documentaries about SGBV usually provoke emotions. The community members are expected to have a discussion about the film during and after the show which helps them share their views about the vice.
Print Media: These are paper publications which are circulated in the form of physical editions of newspapers, magazines, and newsletters. Print media brings out messages in detail and creates an engagement. Print especially in the dailies controls over 80% of print advertising that are utilized to run features and stories on SGBV.
IEC materials: These are materials that are designed with the aim of communicating messages to the SGBV target audiences. The IEC materials include posters, fliers, and stickers among others. Therefore in order to supplement other forms of multimedia, IEC materials about SGBV are developed and positioned in strategic locations. These are distributed by information disseminators, and reinforce the Public Service Announcement (PSA) on radio by giving more information about SGBV. Posters are placed in busy places that attract huge and various audiences. These among others include; markets, saloons, trading centers, health facilities, bars, sub county and district offices among others.
Social Media: Social media has a wide coverage, is cost effective and gives timely messages. In addition, it appeals to some sections of society particularly the young generation. Accounts of various social media platforms are opened and managed for posting periodic themes and topics for discussions. Duty bearers use these platforms to generate, analyse and disseminate SGBV information to guide policy and planning for various levels. On the other hand, survivors use the platforms to share their experiences and voice out their grievances for action.
Hotline: SGBV is characterized by under-reporting due to self-blame, fear of reprisals, mistrust of authorities, fear of re-victimization, and a lack of awareness on the available SGBV response services. Which include, medical, psychosocial and legal. Acts of SGBV evoke shaming and blaming, social stigma, and often rejection by the survivor’s family and community. Stigma and rejection are especially severe when the survivor speaks about or reports the incident. Any available data in any setting about SGBV, including reports from police, legal, health, or other sources, represent only a very small proportion of the actual number of incidents of SGBV. In order to increase the rate of SGBV reporting, awareness on existing hotlines are raised to increase their usage. In addition, assessment is conducted to identify existing gaps to inform planning and programming for these hotlines.
Important to note however, is the fact that the Edutainment campaign cannot stand alone on the communication component. There is need for the inter play of various components in Behavior Change Communication in order to make the campaign effective and successful. While mass media disseminates the messages on SGBV to the community, this alone will not result into the desired change and sustainability of that change. Interpersonal channels through mass and social mobilization are required to reinforce mass media hence the following activities are also recommended.
Interpersonal Communication (IPC): This is an approach which involves a one to one communication. It enhances interactive engagement of end users and the change agent. It is effective in educating and communicating issues of interest and urgency.
What are the results achieved so far through the implementation of the measure/initiative?:
Increased proportion of women and girls, who are aware of SGBV and are willing to end the vice by speaking out and reporting any intentions or/and acts of violence.
Increased number of women and girls, who identify family negligence as a form of domestic violence.
Increased proportion of women & girls who support campaigns to end gender based violence
Increased number of girls and women who report cases of sexual violence Increase the number of girls and women who report cases of sexual violence
-Increased number of men and boys who do not abuse their power but use it to protect especially the vulnerable
-Increase proportion of men & boys who support campaigns to end gender based violence.
-Increased number of school children who are aware of sexual violence
-Increased number of schools that conduct awareness programs and activities on SGBV
-Increased number of community leaders who support SGBV prevention activities
-Increased number of local community leaders who report any forms of SGBV to high authorities
-Increased number of cultural leaders who support and participate in SGBV prevention community activities creased number of religious leaders who can preach against SGBV