Page 40 - SCAT GBV Report - Addressing Gender-Based Violence - 2021

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“Finish this Elephant”: Rural Community Organisations’ Strategic Approaches to Addressing GBV
Visibility and influence
In this food chain of providing services on GBV, they need to be in your face saying, ‘hang on, don’t ignore us, we are here too and we are adding value’. I do think sometimes that the sector can be too modest. It needs to be a bit more in our faces – not to do show and tell, but to elevate the issues that come up through their experience.
Vuyiswa Sidzumo, key informant.
There is a need to elevate the visibility of the CAO sector and amplify its role in localised action to hold power structures to account; advance a rights-based culture; and facilitate access to services and legal redress in relation to gender discrimination and violence. Working with other role-players who share this interest e.g. CAOSA and Black Sash, this could include:
• Advocating for greater public awareness and acknowledgment of the role and value of advice offices in addressing GBV, particularly in geographically isolated and economically marginalised communities.
• Facilitating the increased visibility, collective voice and representation of LDAs, and established and emerging women leaders in particular, in local and national fora focused on gender-related issues and campaigns.
• Promoting media and communications to further profile gendered realities in rural contexts, and associated challenges for survivors in accessing services and justice.
• Expanding LDA involvement in, amongst others: understanding the localised dynamics of GBV and how these can be addressed through contextually relevant and appropriate strategies; and analysing the systemic strengths and weaknesses of service delivery in and to rural communities.
5.2
5.3
Capacities and practices
People are expected to come to training and they don’t even have transport money or something to eat. So, you have to facilitate it in a way that gets into their shoes and ask the question, ‘How am I going to make it possible for them to get capacity building without it putting added pressure onto them?’
Lesley Ann Foster, key informant.
In providing capacity development support to LDAs, it is recommended that SCAT prioritise the following:
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Grow LDA communities of practice through peer learning and exchange, as previously recommended (Karimakwenda et al, 2020:51), by:
• Developing or augmenting the mechanisms through which LDAs’ work
practices are documented – including what does and does not work – as a
source for peer learning.
• Exploring how new methodologies and technologies can contribute to
project implementation.
• Stimulating critical thinking and reflection on gender issues that challenge
normative thinking and behaviours, particularly in relation to gender power
relations.
Facilitate access to information and/or trainings on:
• Legislative and policy frameworks and related developments relevant to
gender equality and GBV prevention and support.