Improving gender-based violence outcomes in post-earthquake Nepal

WHAT IS THE HUMANITARIAN NEED?

Gender-based violence (GBV) was a serious problem in Nepal before the 2015 earthquake and is still a major problem for women and girls in the country.

Though concrete data is lacking, post-earthquake women and girls reported higher protection risks because of their displacement and living conditions. The risk of - sometimes life-threatening - that women face pose serious long-term threats to their health, economic prosperity and security.

A lack of data applies to all forms of GBV in Nepal, it obscures the problem and makes it difficult to measure the effectiveness of GBV programmes. The emergency and recovery context make impact measurement even more difficult with safety, ethical and other challenges.

WHAT IS THE INNOVATIVE SOLUTION?

This innovation project is in the problem recognition phase, and therefore aimed to provide a deeper understanding of localised GBV M&;E approaches.

Current practices in GBV impact measurement include both qualitative and quantitative data - collected and analysed during baseline, midterm and endline evaluations to track the progress and impact of various tools like media monitoring, stakeholder analysis, case study documentation, and stakeholder interaction.

Many indicators rely on self-reporting but, due to the sensitivity and lack of awareness on the topic, we must assume under-reporting.

There is also challenge in documenting evidence of prevention cases, which could be a powerful resource to enhance GBV prevention and to identify opportunities to design effective programmes.

This project aimed to:

• Assess the current practices and challenges in GBV impact measurement in this particular context.
• Articulate the challenges around translating impact measurement of GBV programmes into better programming
• Identify opportunities for innovation in measuring the impact of GBV programmes for earthquake-affected IDPs more effectively

WHAT WAS ACHIEVED?

The project produced and published a 'Lessons Learned and Opportunities' document, linked below, to support humanitarian practitioners to analyse how the impact of GBV programmes is measured and why it is important.

This research contributes to raising the profile of measuring impact of GBV programmes for IDPs in post-earthquake context, increasing its recognition as challenging but vital work.

Working through their networks at the local, district, national and international level the Oxfam team ensured wide dissemination and effective influencing of decision-makers.

More accurate and systematic M&;E processes for measuring impact for GBV programmes make a meaningful difference, and can result in enhanced and more responsive programming for Oxfam, our partners and the sector more widely.