DNV publication: China Energy Transition Outlook 2024
Module 5: Thematic Areas: Integrating gender-based violence interventions in water, sanitation, and hygiene
1. Guidelines for Integrating
Gender-based Violence
Interventions in
Humanitarian Action
MODULE 5 - Thematic Areas:
Integrating Gender-Based Violence
Interventions in WATER, SANITATION
AND HYGIENE
2. Agenda
Links between GBV and Humanitarian Programming
Knowledge Basics for Implementing the Thematic Area
Guidance
A Closer Look: Assessment; Resource Mobilization;
Implementation; Referrals; Coordination; Monitoring
and Evaluation
Discussion of Implementation Strategy
Developing an Action Plan
3. Outcomes
WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE actors are
informed about key relevant elements of the
Guidelines
WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE actors are
supported to develop an action plan with
indicators for integrating the Guidelines’
recommendations into their areas of operation
WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE actors
identify accountability measures to track
progress of GBV risk reduction mainstreaming
and response
WATER, SANITATION AND
HYGIENE (WASH)
4. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
“Protection of all persons affected and at
risk must inform humanitarian decision-
making and response…it must be central
to our preparedness efforts, as part of
immediate and life-saving activities….”
5. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Warm-up Activity: Mapping Risk across
WASH
1) What types of GBV are prevalent in your settings?
2) What are the risks in this setting that contribute to GBV
• Pre-existing - exists independent of, or prior to emergency or conflict
(culture, policy, etc.)
• Emergency-related - specific to/resulting from the disaster or conflict
• Humanitarian-related - caused directly or indirectly by humanitarian
environment
3) What can your cluster/sector do to prevent and mitigate
GBV risks?
• Pre-existing risk mitigation activity
• Emergency-related risk mitigation activity
• Humanitarian-related risk mitigation activity
7. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through WASH TAG:
Assessment, Analysis & Planning
Key point:
• Purpose is not for WASH actors to
undertake standalone GBV
assessments, but rather to incorporate
questions related to GBV risks into their
ongoing WASH assessments
8. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through WASH TAG:
Assessment (cont’d)
• Provides a list of recommended GBV-related
questions to incorporate, as relevant, into WASH
assessments and routine monitoring
• These questions do not cover the nature and scope
of GBV, but basic issues related to WASH
programming, policies and communications
• WASH specialists are NOT expected to undertake
assessments about the extent of GBV
9. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
What does this mean for WASH ?
From page 42:
e) What are the preferences and cultural habits to
consider before determining the type of toilets, bathing
facilities, laundry, kitchens and water points to be
constructed?
l) Are WASH facilities secure? (sufficient lighting,
adequate privacy, locks from inside, etc.)
10. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Activity: Conducting Assessments
Option 1: Review and Discuss
Review the Areas of Inquiry in the GBV guidelines:
1) Which questions would you prioritize?
1) How will you collect this information?
I. What surveys / assessment are already being used where you can
integrate questions
II. When and where will the survey occur to ensure participation of at-risk
groups
3) Who would you need to work with to collect this information?
I. What is the composition of the assessment team, men / women?
II. What training will they require?
III. How will they communicate about the assessment with the community?
11. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Activity: Conducting Assessments
Option 2: Review and Compare
Review the Areas of Inquiry in the GBV guidelines against your current
assessment tool.
1) Which GBV risks and considerations are already integrated in the
assessment tool currently or previously used?
1) Which GBV risks or considerations would you prioritize for inclusion?
2) How will it be possible to integrate new questions which consider GBV
risks?
I. With whom will you need to advocate to include these areas of
inquiry?
- Cluster coordinators, state actors, GBV specialists
II. With whom will you need to collaborate in order to safely and
effectively integrate these areas of inquiry?
- Cluster coordinators, state actors, GBV specialists
12. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Activity: Conducting Assessments
Option 3: Mapping information on GBV risks to mitigation
Prioritize 3 areas of inquiry that apply to your context and carry out the below:
Area of Inquiry Risk of Concern Potential for GBV Mitigation
1. Cultural and
community
norms and
practices
WASH facilities are
unsafe or unfit for
specific cultural needs
(sit versus squat toilet)
and vulnerabilities
(lack of privacy)
Harassment, violence
around and in WASH
facilities, violence
against women
traveling far to defecate
outdoors
Design WASH facilities
considering specific
risks (location,
lighting, inclusion),
maintenance, specific
needs (showers for
intersex/transsexual).
Engage women and
girls in the
development of WASH
policies, standards
and guidelines.
2.
Infrastructure
Drop-off points,
distance to facilities,
improper safety
mechanisms restrict
access to WASH,
jeopardize hygiene,
health
Harassment and
assault, rape, intimate
partner violence
13. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Quiz: Conducting Assessments
WASH actors should:
• Consult GBV specialists throughout the planning,
design, analysis and interpretation of an assessment
• Not use local expertise
• Strictly adhere to safe and ethical recommendations
for researching GBV
• Share data that may be linked back to a group or an
individual, including GBV survivors
• Seek out GBV survivors to speak to them specifically
about their experiences of GBV
14. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Quiz: Conducting Assessments
• Assume reported data on GBV/trends represent actual
prevalence/trends in the extent of GBV
• Include GBV specialists on inter-agency and inter-sectoral
teams
• Not include female assessors and translators when
conducting assessments
• Conduct consultations in a secure setting where
individuals feel safe to provide information and
participate in discussions and decision-making
• Provide training for assessment team members on ethical
and safety issues
15. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Discussion:
• Is it always possible to include GBV in initial assessments?
• How can one ensure inclusion of at-risk groups in
assessments?
• Who needs to be involved?
• Why is it the responsibility of WASH staff? Where does
this responsibility ends?
• Who needs to be convinced?
ALWAYS INVOLVED WOMEN AND OTHER AT-
RISK GROUPS IN THE DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT
OF WASH PROGRAMS
17. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG:
Resource Mobilization
Key point:
• Funding for WASH-related GBV prevention
and risk mitigation activities must be included
in project proposals from the outset of
emergency response
18. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG: Resource
Mobilization
• In humanitarian settings, GBV resources tend to be linked
to longer-term protection and stability initiatives
• Resources to address GBV in emergencies are often
limited
• The Guidelines provide recommendations on
incorporating GBV risk mitigation activities into project
proposals
• Donors are encouraged to reference this section to
ensure GBV issues are included in WASH proposals
19. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG: Resource
Mobilization
GBV risk based on
gender analysis
and safety audit
Proposed
intervention
Risk vs. benefits
Adapted
intervention
Impact?
20. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
What does this mean for WASH ?
GBV-related points to consider for inclusion in a proposal (Pg.46):
1). Humanitarian Needs Overview/Situation Analysis:
– Describe the vulnerabilities of women, girls and other at-risk groups;
2). Project Rationale/Justification:
– Explain GBV-related risks related to WASH interventions in your
context;
3). Project Description:
– Explain which activities may help in preventing or mitigating GBV
– Describe mechanisms that facilitate reporting of GBV in safe and
ethical manner
21. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
What does this mean for WASH ?
How to measure GBV-related points to consider for inclusion in a
proposal, cont’d:
Monitoring and Evaluation:
• M&E plan should track progress and adverse effects on GBV
mainstreaming activities;
• M&E plan should include the participation of women, girls and other at-
risk groups;
• Include outcome-level indicators to measure program impact on GBV-
related risks;
• Disaggregate indicators by sex, age, disability and other vulnerability
factors
22. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
THE IASC GENDER MARKER
Both Gender marker and GBV
mainstreaming address
issues of women and girls’
empowerment and gender
equality and include men
and boys as partners in
prevention.
• = Tool that codes (0-2
scale) whether or not a
humanitarian project is
designed well enough
to ensure that
women/girls, men/boys
will benefit equally
from it or that it will
advance gender
equality in another way
23. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
What does this mean for WASH ?
Some examples of GBV mainstreaming activities that can be
included in proposals:
• Sanitation facilities are designed and built based on universal
design and/or reasonable accommodation2 to ensure
accessibility for all persons, including those with disabilities
• Sanitary supplies and hygiene materials are appropriate to
distribute to women and girls, especially related to
menstruation
24. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
What does this mean for WASH ?
Do you have other examples of mitigation strategies?
25. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Activity: Resource Mobilization
In Small Groups:
Review the assigned proposal in line with the
resource mobilization checklist of the Guidelines and
highlight:
– Good practices
– Gaps
– Proposed strategies to address these gaps.
– Tools needed to better design proposals
26. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Discussion:
• Is GBV-related activities in WASH programs always
cost-effective? Why should it be considered?
• Do donors always support GBV-related activities in
WASH programs? What can be some of these
barriers?
GBV MAINSTREAMING ACTIVITIES ALWAYS
CONTRIBUTE TO GOOD WASH
PROGRAMMING
27. Implementation
What are our commitments to
include GBV prevention and
mitigation within ongoing and
new WATER, SANITATION AND
HYGIENE activities?
28. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Key takeaway:
• If effectively designed, WASH
programmes can mitigate risks of GBV:
Safe access to facilities
Participation of women and girls in WASH
committees
Supporting privacy and dignity
A walk through the WASH TAG:
Implementation
29. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG:
Implementation
• Provides guidance for putting GBV-related risk reduction
responsibilities into practice
• Activities to improve the overall quality of GBV-related
prevention and mitigation strategies:
Establish GBV-related responsibilities common to all actors
working within WASH
Recommend strategies for WASH actors to reduce risks
Maximize immediate protection of GBV survivors and persons
at risk and foster longer-term interventions to eliminate GBV
• 3 main types of responsibilities: programming, policies,
and communications & information sharing
30. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
What does this mean for WASH?
From pages 47:
• Ensure handpumps and water containers are
women- and girl-friendly, and are designed in
ways that minimize the time spent collecting
water.
• Build upon indigenous knowledge and practices
to construct age-, gender-, and culturally
sensitive WASH facilities (including toilets,
laundry, kitchen and bathing facilities).
31. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Activity- Implementation
Option 1: Review Mitigation Strategies
In small groups:
1. Review recommended mitigation strategies
2. Add any strategies missing
3. Prioritize 2-3 key strategies that should be prioritized
4. Highlight operational challenges
Rotate teams: troubleshoot challenges, provide recommendations
5. Create operational action plan:
i. Key actions
ii. Coordination amongst key actors
iii. Resources / support required
32. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Activity- Implementation
Option 2: Mitigating GBV risk in Program Strategy
Review current programmatic strategy
In small groups:
1. Highlight GBV mitigation strategies currently integrated
2. Review Guideline recommended mitigation strategies
3. Prioritize 2-3 key strategies that should be prioritized
4. Create operational action plan:
i. Information needed
ii. Key actions
iii. Coordination amongst key actors
iv. Resources / support required
33. Discussion: Prioritization and Selection Criteria
How to prioritize GBV risk reduction in WASH
programs?
What types of investments are required?
What vulnerability criteria would you use?
What challenges are associated with these?
How should sensitive information be managed
to protect affected populations, including
survivors of GBV?
33
DON’T SINGLE OUT GBV SURVIVORS OR
VULNERABLE GROUPS
34. Coordination
What are our commitments to
include GBV prevention and
mitigation within ongoing and
new WATER, SANITATION AND
HYGIENE activities?
35. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG:
Coordination
Key takeaways:
• GBV prevention and risk reduction is most effective
when done in coordination with both GBV specialists
and other sectors
• Recommends specific actions for WASH actors to
coordinate with others
36. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG: Coordination
• Supports humanitarian actors to define responsibilities and
accountability mechanisms in GBV prevention and response
efforts
Establish responsibilities for humanitarian actors in the prevention
and mitigation of GBV
Maximize immediate protection of GBV survivors and persons at risk
through multi-sectoral coordination on response to GBV incidents
• Coordination activities can move across the 3 main types of
responsibilities: programming, policies, and communications &
information sharing and may also include advocacy / efforts for:
Assessment
Resource Mobilization
Monitoring and Evaluation
37. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG:
Coordination (Pg.53)
GBV Specialists can assist WASH actors to:
1. Design and conduct WASH assessments that
examine the risks of GBV, and strategize ways to
mitigate these risks
2. Provide trainings for WASH staff on issues of gender,
GBV and women’s/human rights
3. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for
security sector actors
38. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
What does this mean for WASH?
Coordination with GBV Specialists, cont’d…
GBV Specialists can assist WASH actors to:
4. Identify where survivors can receive care, and
provide WASH staff with skills and information to
respond supportively to survivors
5. Provide training for the affected community on
issues of gender, GBV and women’s/human rights as
they relate to WASH rights
6. Review relevant statutory and customary laws and
policies to strengthen GBV-related legal protections
39. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
What does this mean for WASH:
Coordination with other sectors (p. 55)
WASH actors can work with (for example):
• CCCM actors to provide WASH measures for persons
and groups at risk of GBV
• Child protection actors to build the capacity of law
enforcement actors to respond to the needs of child
survivors
40. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
What does this mean for WASH:
Coordination for cross-cutting issues
Also coordinate with partners addressing:
gender
mental health and psychosocial support
(MHPSS)
HIV
age
environment
41. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Activity: Coordination
Option 1: Mechanisms to Support Program Implementation
Return to small groups from the implementation activity:
1. Reflect on the specific actions recommended
2. Who needs to be involved to execute this action
– GBV specialists
– Other clusters
3. What type of coordination is required – be specific
- Roles and responsibilities
- Accountability mechanisms
42. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Activity: Coordination Mapping
• With what sectors would WASH benefit from stronger
coordination?
i. What coordination mechanisms exist to support collaboration
ii. Key actions
iii. Who is responsible, accountable, needs to be informed
iv. How will you monitor progress
• How could WASH and protection actors better
coordinate/work together?
i. What coordination mechanisms exist to support collaboration
ii. Key actions
iii. Who is responsible, accountable, needs to be informed
iv. How will you monitor progress
43. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Suggested recommendations about referrals
in the Guidelines
• All humanitarian personnel who engage with affected
populations should have up to date written information
about where to refer survivors for care and support.
• Ensure training on how to respectfully and supportively
engage with survivors and provide risk reporting and/or
referral information in an ethical, safe and confidential
manner
• Any programmes that share information about reports of
GBV must abide by safety and ethical standards (e.g.
shared information does not reveal the identity of or pose
a security risk to individual survivors, their families or the
broader community)
44. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Activity: Coordination
Option 3: Coordination and Referrals w/ GBV specialists
In small groups discuss:
• Map the current referral mechanism where your activities are
ongoing
- What services are available
- Which actors are involved
• What are your responsibilities within the referral mechanism?
- Who do you immediately report an incident to?
- Are there cases where you are unable to refer?
• What happens when there is no referral mechanism in place or
when it is not functioning?
- What are your responsibilities in this situation?
45. Monitoring and
Evaluation
What are priority indicators for
GBV prevention and risk
mitigation in WATER,
SANITATION AND HYGIENE
programming?
46. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG:
Monitoring & Evaluation
Key Point:
• Indicators can be used to measure the
outcomes of activities undertaken across
the programme cycle, with the ultimate
aim of maintaining effective programmes
and improving accountability
47. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG:
Monitoring & Evaluation
• Why? Limited evidence exists on effective
integration of GBV programming in “other” sectors
• Indicators in the Guidelines aim to:
– Track outputs resulting from interventions to affected
populations
– Chart outcome of cluster activities
– Measure progress toward objectives, considering
diversity of affected populations & their perspectives
of the response
48. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Monitoring & Evaluation: Indicators
• Why? Limited evidence exists on effective
integration of GBV programming in “other”
sectors
• Indicators in the Guidelines aim to:
– Track outputs resulting from interventions to
affected populations
– Chart outcome of cluster activities
– Measure progress toward objectives, considering
diversity of affected populations & their
perspectives of the response
49. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG:
Monitoring & Evaluation: Reporting
• Analyze existing data using a ‘GBV lens’ to improve GBV
prevention and response
• Example: Existence of female WASH staff during
assessments
– What are the implications of the findings?
– How may this affect GBV prevention and mitigation?
• Failing to meet a target can lead to response and resource
mobilization
• Use data for action across the programme cycle!
50. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
• # of WASH assessments that include GBV-related questions
• # of humanitarian WASH personnel who are female during
the assessment
• # of WASH funding proposals or strategies that include at
least one GBV risk-reduction objective, activity or indicator
• # of registration sites that include GBV as a risk factor for
vulnerability
• # of WASH community outreach activities that include
information on where to report risk and where to access
care for GBV survivors
What does this mean for WASH?
51. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
A walk through the WASH TAG:
Monitoring & Evaluation
Good to know:
• Improvement or success is not
demonstrated by a decrease in reported
GBV cases
• Targets and data sources can be
modified to fit the context
52. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Option 1: Prioritizing indicators and data collection methodology
1. Prioritize 1-2 indicators
i. Select indicator from assessment, resource mobilization,
implementation or coordination fit to current response
i. For example, if preparing for an assessment
2. Review the indicator reference sheet used for women’s
participation
3. Fill out the blank indicator reference sheet for the
indicator prioritized
i. Indicator description
ii. Indicator acquisition
iii. Data Quality issues
iv. Data Analysis and Reporting/Dissemination
Activity: Monitoring & Evaluation
53. Guidelines for Integrating Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Action
Option 2: Analyzing findings from gender or GBV evaluation
1. How are these findings relevant to your sector programming?
i. Which sectoral activities may be contributing to GBV risks?
ii. What cultural, community or policy variables may contribute to
GBV?
a. Representation of women, girls and at-risk groups
b. Traditional or cultural gender norms, power dynamics
c. Policies governing access to services, impunity
2. What activities could you adjust to prevent or mitigate GBV
risks?
i. Activities specific to prevention (focus on gender equality)
ii. Activities specific to mitigation (focus on reducing exposure to risk)
iii. Activities specific to response (focus on PFA, referral)
Activity: Monitoring & Evaluation
54. Monitoring & evaluation
How do you know whether WASH programs contributed to
reducing GBV risks?
- Did select WASH activities contribute to reducing GBV risks?
- What information lets you measure this?
What are the challenges to monitoring GBV risks?
Is it always possible to monitor that at-risk groups needs are
identified and responded to?
Do WASH SOPs include direction for monitoring GBV risks
within WASH programming?
54
Do not use number of
reported cases as an indicator
of success.
55. Final Action Plan
1. In teams write down the priority actions
to take forward
2. Refer to the prevention, mitigation and
response activities of the day
3. Highlight key actors and responsibilities
4. Note attention to specific types of actions,
such as training, resources, staffing,
access, etc.
Should we have a standardized set of consideations
Should we have a standardized set of consideations
Should we have a standardized set of consideations
Refer to assessment task sheet if printing available
Can print out this matrix as a separate document for use by particpants
Options for proposal:
Each participant brings one from their organization
Distribute proposals from the OPS system
Develop a proposal based on the HRP and sectoral focus
Unaccompanied minors and separated children
Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration
Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration
If necessary or appropriate, insert here the Referral Module.
Where does the role of frontline provider responsibilities end and that of specialized services (case manager for example) begin?
What are the concerns for a humanitarian actor to refer survivors directly to services?
May feel pressured, not qualified, to ask more details, doesn’t know how to make an appropriate referral
May not know the quality of the services being provided at any one service (health, legal, etc)
May do more harm in referring a victim to a service that would further discriminate against him or her or put her in an unsafe situation
What is the reality in some contexts?
No protection officers or specialists are present (case managers)
Other cluster actors interact with beneficiaries and develop trust over time – beneficiaries choose to disclose details of the incident to frontline actors
State actors do not employ proper referral mechanism in place or services to which they may inform survivors or refer
How do humanitarian staff work with other clusters to ensure referral mechanisms function properly?