What Works for Women and Girls

factor associated with sexual assault among young girls. Approximately 100 girls under the ageof 18 were interviewed in a largely open-ended format that covered a variety of topics and 36NGOs and a number of government officials were contacted and visited. “The length of thegirls’ commute to school is an important factor here, since they risk sexual abuse by minibusdrivers or conductors, if they take transportation, or abuse by others along the road, if theywalk, can be significant” (Chimuka, 2002 cited in Fleischman, 2002: 49).Eliminating Violence Against Women Requires a Comprehensive ApproachA comprehensive response, based on principles of human rights and ensuring survivorcenteredand empowering approaches, is needed to address violence against women; includingpolitical commitment and resource mobilization, legal and judicial reform, health sectorresponses, response from the education sector, use of mass media and community mobilization(UNIFEM, 2010; Global AIDS Alliance, 2008). Campaigns and public education canchallenge the acceptance of violence against women and raise awareness of the adverse impactof violence on women’s health. Comprehensive gender-based violence policies are neededthat “include primary prevention targeting men and boys; policies to engage men and boysin making public spaces free of violence for women and girls; programs for male perpetratorsthat are integrated with [the] judicial sector; implementation of gun control; control overalcohol sales; and legal, financial and psychological supports for survivors of violence, bothwomen and men” (Barker et al., 2010). Efforts to stop violence against women will not succeedunless male attitudes and behavior are addressed. Innovative programs such as One Man Canin South Africa are good examples of working with men to reduce violence (Colvin, 2009).Political, religious and community leaders, along with the media can play a significant role inchanging social norms. Improved awareness and attitudes need to be supported by the enforcementof laws that prohibit violence against women and punish the perpetrators. Women’sadvocacy organizations have been key in raising awareness and working with governmentsto strengthen legal solutions. Women who experience violence, including from intimate partners,need counseling, health services and support.Health Services Can Play a Critical Role to Assist Women Who Suffer From ViolenceIt is vital that health providers do not further compound the suffering of a woman or girlwho has been raped by blaming her for the rape (Caretta, 2008). A study in the DominicanRepublic conducted in 2006 with 31 women living with HIV who were victims of violenceand 39 providers for either HIV or violence services, including HIV physicians, counselors,social workers, etc. found that few HIV providers had training on services for women whosuffered from violence; and few providers for violence services had training on HIV. Almostall the providers did not know the pertinent legislation related to violence and more than athird believed that women provoke violence. Protocols are needed for to establish linkagesbetween HIV and violence services (Betances and Alba, 2009). A randomized survey among100 obstetricians-gynecologists in Pakistan in 2002 found that “the significant mismatchbetween perceptions of prevalence of domestic violence in Pakistani society (>30%) and inWHAT WORKS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS301