Introduction
The use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has surged globally, offering innovative solutions across various sectors. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), ICT is increasingly being leveraged to address pressing social issues, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). A recent evidence and gap map (EGM) by Philbrick et al. (2022) highlights the nascent yet promising role of ICT in preventing and responding to SGBV in these regions. This blog delves into the findings of this research and explores how practitioners can enhance their skills by implementing these insights or engaging in further research.
The Current Landscape
The EGM reveals a growing interest in utilizing ICT for SGBV interventions in LMICs, yet it underscores a significant gap in methodologically rigorous studies. The research identifies several promising areas for future exploration:
- Changing gender and social norms related to SGBV through ICT.
- Developing mobile applications that enhance safety and security.
- Using mobile technology to collect and analyze survivors' experiences with SGBV response services.
- Employing digital tools for forensic evidence collection in SGBV cases.
Key Findings and Implications
The EGM includes ten studies, with four being systematic reviews or scoping reviews, and six individual studies conducted in LMICs. Notably, none of the eligible studies specifically targeted children, highlighting a critical gap given the increasing use of ICT by youth in these regions.
Most studies focused on intimate partner violence (IPV) against women, employing ICT for interventions such as safety planning, educational messaging, and data collection. However, the effectiveness of these interventions in achieving primary prevention outcomes remains underexplored.
Challenges and Opportunities
The research identifies several challenges, including the lack of harmonized impact indicators and the need for more studies examining ICT's role in changing harmful gender norms. Moreover, the adaptation of interventions proven effective in high-income countries (HICs) to LMIC contexts is a promising yet under-researched area.
Practitioners are encouraged to engage in formative studies that assess the usability, feasibility, and participatory design of ICT interventions. These studies are crucial for ensuring the sustainability and scalability of ICT solutions in diverse LMIC contexts.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The evidence base for using ICT in SGBV prevention and response in LMICs is still emerging. Practitioners and researchers are urged to contribute to this growing field by conducting rigorous studies that address the identified gaps. By doing so, they can help build a robust evidence base that informs effective ICT interventions for SGBV in LMICs.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Information and communications technology use to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence in low- and middle-income countries: An evidence and gap map.
