Regional Conference on Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls in Southern Africa

Date: 04 December 2019 to 05 December 2019
Time: Started at 8:30AM
Where: Johannesburg, South Africa 

Overview


The regional programme “Partnerships for Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls in Southern Africa” (PfP) hosted the regional conference in collaboration with SADC, MRC, DFID, the Canadian High Commission and the Ford Foundation.

The elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG) is rooted in its prevention. In this endeavour it is an invaluable effort to intensify the cooperation among development partners, government institutions, private sector, and implementing organizations, such as non-governmental organizations and foundations that have decades of valuable experience and expertise to contribute.

The conference brought together more than 200 participants from 14 countries and across different sectors: development partners, government officials and parliamentarians, UN agencies, civil society organizations, researchers, media and private sector representatives, as well as traditional and religious leaders. This unique space was used to exchange experiences and explore ways to implement effective and promising practices to address VAWG.

“Meeting like-minded individuals has given me hope that change can be achieved.”


“I will now start using some of the strategies shared by others in this conference and move a motion in parliament advocating to stop violence against women and girls.”


“Regional exchange is a great accelerator of capacity.”

To shape prevention interventions through joint action and to strengthen partnerships.
Download Concept NoteRead the Conference ReportDownload Conference ReportDownload Conference Brochure

From Evidence to Action

The event successfully provided a platform to share and discuss new evidence on the prevention of violence against women and girls and explore how best to translate research findings into policy and practice.

Keynote speeches by Prof. Rachel Jewkes and Dr.hc. Christine Brendel framed the discussions about the latest evidence as well as successful strategies to engage the private sector in violence prevention.

During interactive clinics and parallel sessions, participants discussed how to prevent violence in schools and shared lessons on other promising approaches from SADC member states. Others looked at how media and community engagement can promote gender equitable attitudes. Men and boys, as well as religious and traditional authorities were emphasized as vital allies in reducing the acceptance of VAWG.

As numbers speak for themselves, evidence was presented on the actual cost of discrimination and VAWG on societies, and how women’s economic empowerment is linked. The sessions were also used to identify gaps in data that need to be addressed for improved violence prevention policies and interventions.

Throughout the conference, practitioners, policy makers and civil society were able to connect and share strategies from their local context, foster regional exchange and build partnerships across different sectors. After two days, delegates agreed that the event had improved their conceptual understanding of VAWG prevention and highly valued the opportunity to network across the region. 

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