What Works - VSO International

One Community One Family

Project Title

One Community One Family

The Organisation

Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) Nepal

Geographic Location

Baglung, Nepal

Summary of Intervention / Research

This project proposes that the experiences of migrants and the changing roles and identities of men and women in migrant communities are driving a rise in VAWG, adding to VAWG experienced by those left behind from their in-laws, communities and associates. Migration drives women to move beyond traditional gender norms and increases their visibility, in turn increasing their risk of rape and sexual exploitation. Returned migrants face a loss of identity and responsibility, creating tension, aggression and frustration.

Working from grassroots to central levels, and targeting both potential victims and perpetrators, the intervention tested whether psychosocial support only or psychosocial support and livelihood support can prevent VAWG from occurring and can challenge wider acceptance of violence as a relationship norm. A holistic approach will addressed four levels:

1. Reducing vulnerability of women and girls left behind, by improving the social support available, strengthening their empowerment and agency (ability and opportunity to make choices and take actions), and reducing their economic vulnerability through a lens of safe market access.

2. Amongst the community while their husband is away, to challenge social norms, behaviours and attitudes towards gender roles, acceptance of violence, and the expected role and rights of women and girls left behind.

3. Amongst the migrant husbands who return with a dramatically different sense of identity and struggle to reintegrate into a social dynamic which has transformed in their departure, or into a resource-poor, activity-poor village in which they have no role.

4. Amongst duty-bearers who have a stake in disseminating and replicating the learning from the project.

The project was structured to enable us to evaluate the activities and assessed whether the model really works using a bespoke and rigorous evaluation methodology. The Formative Research was being designed and carried out by a local partner which with the aim of understanding the needs, behaviours and interest of the target population to effectively reduce violence against women and girls. This research formed the basis for developing effective strategies and interventions for influencing behaviour and attitude change amongst family and community members. VSO Nepal, its local implementing partner BYC, and other stakeholders on both the national and local levels, are conducting regular and joint monitoring and evaluation to assess the programme’s progress. A draft M&E framework is being revised using guidelines developed by SA MRC to ensure that all the programme’s activities are translated into desired outcomes and that changes can be measured over time.