What Works for Women and Girls

3. Microfinance programs can lead to reduction in gender-based violence when integratedwith participatory training on HIV, gender, and violence.Using a cluster-randomized trial in rural South Africa, the Intervention with Microfinancefor AIDS and Gender Equity (IMAGE) intervention combined a microfinance programwith participatory training on understanding HIV infection, gender norms, domesticviolence, and sexuality, which resulted in a reduction in experience of physical or sexualviolence by an intimate partner. After 2 years, the risk of past-year physical or sexualviolence by an intimate partner was reduced by more than half. Women in the interventiongroup experienced a substantial reduction in intimate partner violence in theprevious 12 months and experienced less controlling behaviors by their partners. Atbaseline, 11% of the intervention group—22 out of 193 experienced intimate partnerviolence; at follow-up, only 6%—17 out of 290 participants experienced intimate partnerviolence. In the comparison group, 9% or 16 out of 177 experienced intimate partnerviolence in the last twelve months; at follow up, 12% or 30 out of 248 participants experiencedintimate partner violence, for an adjusted risk ratio of .45. Fewer individualsin the intervention group reported more than one partner in the past year than didindividuals in the comparison group; however, there was no difference in HIV incidencebetween intervention and comparison groups and there was little evidence thatunprotected sexual intercourse at last occurrence with a non-spousal partner in the past12 months was less common in the intervention group than it was in the comparisongroups. The study could not demonstrate in the short term an impact on HIV risk(Pronyk et al., 2006). However, the findings indicate that economic and social empowermentof women can contribute to reductions in intimate partner violence. The studyalso showed that it is possible to target, even in the short term, the structural determinantsof HIV and intimate partner violence in Africa. (Kim et al., 2007b; Croce-Galis,2008). (Gray II) (gender norms, microfinance, violence, self-perception, South Africa)Promising Strategies:4. Training teachers about gender-based violence can change norms about acceptance ofgender-based violence.A project in South Africa found that training teachers resulted in less teacher sanctioningof gender-based violence and more confidence to raise the issue of gender-basedviolence in the classroom. Of the teachers who received the training, 47% were womenwho had previously experienced physical abuse from a partner, while 25% were maleteachers who previously reported that they had been physically abusive to a partner.The project trained two representatives from each selected school who in turn trainedothers. The project also trained all school employees, including administration and thecleaning staff, leading to significant changes in teachers’ perceptions about the roles306 CHAPTER 11 STRENGTHENING THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT