Citation

Gurman TA, Trappler RM, Acosta A, McCray PA, Cooper CM, Goodsmith L. Health Educ. Res. 2014; 29(4): 690-701.

Affiliation

Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave., NW 4th Floor Washington, DC 20052, American Refugee Committee, 1320 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036, American Refugee Committee, International Uganda Program, P.O Box 7868, Kampala, Uganda and Communication for Change, 423 Atlantic Avenue, # 3L, Brooklyn, New York 11217, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/her/cyu018

PMID

24973224

Abstract

Gender-based violence is pervasive and poses unique challenges in conflict-affected settings, with women and girls particularly vulnerable to its sequelae. Furthermore, widespread stigmatization of gender-based violence promotes silence among survivors and families, inhibiting access to services. Little evidence exists regarding effective gender-based violence prevention interventions in these settings. Through Our Eyes, a multi-year participatory video project, addressed gender-based violence by stimulating community dialogue and action in post-conflict settings in South Sudan, Uganda, Thailand, Liberia and Rwanda. The present qualitative analysis of project evaluation data included transcripts from 18 focus group discussions (n = 125) and key informant interviews (n = 76). Study participants included project team members, representatives from partner agencies, service providers and community members who either participated in video production or attended video screenings. Study findings revealed that the video project contributed to a growing awareness of women's rights and gender equality. The community dialogue helped to begin dismantling the culture of silence gender-based violence, encouraging survivors to access health and law enforcement services. Furthermore, both men and women reported attitude and behavioral changes related to topics such as wife beating, gender-based violence reporting and girls' education. Health education professionals should employ participatory video to address gender-based violence within conflict-affected settings.

Language: en