Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing social issues, including gender-based violence, particularly in vulnerable communities like urban slums. The SAMBHAV initiative, a collaborative effort between the Uttar Pradesh state government, UNICEF, and UNDP, aimed to address these challenges through community-based interventions. This blog explores the outcomes of this initiative and how practitioners can leverage these insights to improve their practice.
Understanding the SAMBHAV Initiative
The SAMBHAV initiative targeted 6000 families in 30 urban poor settlements (UPS) in Lucknow, India, focusing on eight critical areas, including gender and decision-making. The program utilized a multi-faceted approach, including:
- Community engagement through Mohalla Samitis and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Knowledge dissemination via Integrated Voice Response Systems (IVRS) and other communication tools.
- Strengthening government service delivery in critical social sectors.
The initiative's impact was assessed through a controlled, before-and-after trial, revealing significant improvements in women's autonomy and community awareness regarding gender-based violence.
Key Findings and Implications for Practitioners
The SAMBHAV initiative demonstrated the effectiveness of community mobilization and intersectional approaches in addressing gender-based violence. Key findings include:
- Significant differences in women's freedom to move alone and community engagement in gender-based violence issues between intervention and control areas.
- Increased community awareness and participation in addressing gender norms and violence.
Practitioners can draw several lessons from these findings:
- Adopt an intersectional approach to address gender issues, recognizing the interconnectedness of various social determinants.
- Engage community members actively to create sustainable change and resilience.
- Leverage technology and innovative communication methods to disseminate knowledge and resources effectively.
Encouraging Further Research
While the SAMBHAV initiative made significant strides, it also highlighted the need for more extensive research and multi-layered approaches to combat gender-based violence. Practitioners are encouraged to explore further research opportunities, focusing on:
- Cultural differences and their impact on intervention effectiveness.
- Long-term sustainability and scalability of community-based interventions.
- Integration of gender issues with other social determinants of health.
Conclusion
The SAMBHAV initiative offers valuable insights into addressing gender-based violence in urban slums. By adopting an intersectional approach and actively engaging communities, practitioners can drive meaningful change and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. To delve deeper into the original research, please follow this link: Pandemic within a pandemic! Policy Implications of community-based Interventions to mitigate violence against women during COVID-19 in Urban Slums of Lucknow, India.
