USAID partners in Gender Based Violence meet to exchange experiences

Gender-based Violence (GBV) is a global pandemic that is inflicted upon men, women and children. However, women and girls are the most at risk and most affected by GBV. Gender-based violence undermines the safety, dignity, health, and human rights of the millions of individuals who experience it, and the public health, economic well-being, and security of nations. The Gender-based Violence Initiative (GBVI) in Mozambique is part of the United States President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and aims to expand and improve coordination and effectiveness of GBV prevention efforts; improve the policy implementation in response to GBV and improve the availability and quality of GBV services in Mozambique. This activity is a country-driven, 3-year initiative which demonstrates the United States and Mozambican Governments' commitment to address gender and Gender-based Violence issues.

On Tuesday December 4th, one of the Mozambican events for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign was a GBV Technical Exchange at the American Cultural Center in Maputo.  The USAID Gender team designed the event so that USG partners and other donors addressing GBV had a forum for an in-depth technical exchange.  Organizations shared their work and displayed materials that have been developed around GBV prevention, care and treatment. Materials included those developed for use with communities and within clinical setting for the Government of Mozambique, as well as job aids, brochures, poster, training modules, etc. Alyssa Leggoe, the Director of the Integrated Health Office at USAID/Mozambique, opened the event followed by an interactive session where participants explained their work and discussed materials with the larger audience.

Partners who participated included JHUCCP, FHI 360, Pathfinder, JHPIEGO, I-TECH, Columbia University, TEBA, IREX, as well as Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), UNFPA and UN Women.