Process of change through a community activism approach to prevent IPV in Rwanda

Summary:

Community activism is recognized as an important strategy to shift inequitable gender norms and ensure an enabling environment to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet there is limited understanding of the processes of change of community activism, including how this is dependent on the activism approach and context. This study evaluated the community activism component of Indashyikirwa, an IPV prevention programme implemented across rural Rwanda. We assessed the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned of the activism in order to better unpack mechanisms of change, individual and collective agency of activists. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a diversity of beneficiaries and programme staff across multiple time points, and observations of activism and safe space activities were conducted. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data was thematically analyzed. The findings emphasize the need to consider how activism plays out differently in diverse settings. A key learning was more time was needed to support community level changes around IPV, especially when combined with the couples curriculum and valuable adaptation to the context. Nonetheless, a positive trajectory was reported qualitatively including more gender equitable norms, and more empowering responses to IPV survivors. We discuss these insights in reference to the recent paradigm shift away from an emphasis on women's rights and structural frameworks, and towards public health trials that emphasize individualistic programming. This study makes an important contribution through unpacking the processes and implementation of activism, which can serve to better articulate collective agency in relation to activism approaches.

Background/Objectives:

Community activism is recognized as an important strategy to shift inequitable gender norms and ensure an enabling environment to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet there is limited understanding of the processes of change of community activism, including how this is dependent on the activism approach and context. This study evaluated the community activism component of Indashyikirwa, an IPV prevention programme implemented across rural Rwanda. We assessed the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned of the activism in order to better unpack mechanisms of change, individual and collective agency of activists. Description of Intervention and/or Methods/Design: There are four main components of Indashyikirwa: 1) participatory curriculum with couples, 2) community-based activism led by a sub-set of individuals that completed the couples' curriculum, 3) women's safe spaces for direct support to survivors of IPV and for community activism efforts, and 4) training and engagement of opinion leaders. The qualitative impact evaluation entailed 2 rounds of interviews with 12 community activists, 3 rounds of interviews with 9 opinion leaders, 3 rounds of interviews with 6 safe space attendees, and 3 rounds of interviews with 3 safe space facilitators. Two rounds of observations of 12 community activists facilitating activism activities, and 3 rounds of 6 safe space facilitators facilitating activism activities were also conducted. For process evaluation purposes, 2 rounds of interviews were conducted with 9 RWAMREC and 6 RWN staff. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data was thematically analyzed.

Results/Lessons Learned:

The analysis shed valuable insights regarding the complexity, time and programme support needed to facilitate effective activism, and how this is embedded within social factors. The data highlights the value of the couples curriculum as a platform for activism, especially in rural environments where it was challenging for staff to regularly monitor and support activists. Activists were extremely dedicated because of how they had benefitted from the couples curriculum and could draw on each other for support after building rapport through the group training. Yet, it took significant time and effort for activists to effectively facilitate participatory approaches, and to feel comfortable with and have access to informal activism opportunities that allow for interpersonal communication. The work with opinion leaders was particularly challenging, especially holding them accountable to their commitments and encouraging them to allow sufficient time for activists to facilitate discussions, yet they were critical key gatekeepers.

Discussion/Implications for the Field:

The findings emphasize the need to consider how activism plays out differently in diverse settings. The inception period of Indashyikirwa took over one year, which was warranted to adapt and design activism activities, although longer than originally planned for. A key learning was more time was needed to support community level changes. Nonetheless, a positive trajectory was reported (albeit only through the qualitative data) including more gender equitable norms, and more empowering responses to IPV survivors. This study highlights how unpacking the processes and implementation of activism can help better articulate individual and collective agency in relation to activism approaches.

Abstract submitted by:

Erin Stern - The Prevention Collaborative
Sangeet Chatterji - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health  
Lori Heise - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health 
Kristin Dunkle - South African Medical Research Council
Ritha Nyiratunga - The Prevention Collaborative