The Use and Effectiveness of the Whole School Approach in School-Based Interventions Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review — BLOG POST 2

The paper I read is titled “The Use and Effectiveness of the Whole School Approach in School-Based Interventions Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review.” The paper begins by describing trends in gender based violence in Sub-Saharan Africa and then details the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative whole school approach. The whole school approach is an intervention for gender based violence that is meant to be used across settings. The approach centers social and emotional learning and prevention which is integrated into daily interactions between students, teachers, and families. Notably, the intervention targets boys and girls. The systematic review conducted in this paper is the first of its kind to review the effectiveness of school based GBV interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The criteria of the review are as follows, “ 1) examining the effectiveness of school-based GBV interventions in reducing GBV outcomes (i.e., sexual and physical violence and GBV- related knowledge/attitudes) in SSA; (2) evaluating the extent to which the implementation of these school-based GBV interventions align with the WSA; (3) establishing whether the extent of school-based GBV intervention align- ment to the WSA has any significant impact in terms of effectiveness; and (4) assessing the extent to which school- based GBV interventions target and report outcomes for both boys and girls.” (Nyoni et al 2022) The characteristics of school based interventions were helpful to read in regards to my NGO partner FamConnect. The components of the WSA interventions were sensitization, sexual reproductive health and rights, safe schools, parenting, where to seek help ot services, self defense, and economic empowerment, of which the last 4 components were only targeted towards girls. Bystander intervention was delivered to bots only. When designing the GBV intervention for FamConnect I will take into account the dimensions of the WSA as they are empirically based. The outcomes used to measure effectiveness included sexual and physical violence and GBV related knowledge. The analysis found that 88% of all interventions successfully improved at least one outcome. In terms of complying to WSA UN guidelines, the programs assessed scored an average medium to low compliance rating. Overall the analysis found that alignment with the WSA approach did not indicate effectiveness of interventions, however, interventions involving families and community members were effective. The study also highlighted the need for more comprehensive interventions for boys, beyond bystander training, and including but not limited to, engaging men and boys in violence prevention. This paper provided me with helpful information as to what aspects of GBV interventions are effective in the specific context of Sub-Saharan Africa. Building on this information, I would also like to gain more insight into Kenyan specific cultural adaptations as Sub-Saharan Africa is still fairly broad. Specific components of the analyzed interventions that I would like to consider with FamConnect include, sensitization, sexual reproductive health and rights, safe schools, parenting, where to seek help ot services, self defense, and economic empowerment, and bystander training. I would also like to consult with my group and Lillian to find ways this list can be expanded or restricted.

Nyoni, T., Steiner, J. J., Okumu, M., Orwenyo, E., Tonui, B. C., Lipsey, K., & Mengo, C. (2022). The use and effectiveness of the whole school approach in school-based interventions addressing gender-based violence in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 152483802211342. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380221134296