Survey and evaluation of the project “Promote Gender Equity - Reduce Domestic

Background

The project includes three communes in the Quang Dien district in the Thua Thien Hue province; Quang Phuoc, Quang An and Quang Vinh. It was initiated almost two years ago in April 2005 by NAV in partnership with the Women's Union of Quang Dien district. The three communes were selected because of the local authorities' interest in addressing domestic violence. All three communes have serious cases of domestic violence that remain without resolution. The project engaged both right holders and duty bearers; men as violators of women's rights, affected women and their families, the local community and government officials. The latter included relevant agencies and mass organizations such as the police, Women's Union and the Farmers' Association.

Purpose/objective

The purpose of the evaluation was to draw a picture of domestic violence in the Thua Thien Hue province and to evaluate to which degree the objectives of the project had been met. It aimed to assess its results and impact, the suitability of the project design, the strengths and weaknesses of project approaches and the project management methods of NAV and its partners on the district level. Finally, it identified lessons learned and made recommendations for how to improve similar projects in the future.

Methodology

1. Data-collection methods:
- Sociological surveying method
- Qualitative research (semi-structure interviews and group interviews)
- Participatory research method
- Comparative method (comparing data from the intervention areas with other
communes without any intervention)
2. Data processing and report writing

Key findings

Achievements
Rights holders: Women and men:
- Improved understanding of gender issues, women 's rights and the consequences
of domestic violence on the family and its income.
- Behavioral change among some men in form of reduced violence both in terms of
magnitude and frequency.
Duty bearers:
- Improved awareness of gender issues, CEDAW, roles and responsibilities.
- Establishment of a proper intervention procedure (that goes beyond the minimum
requirements by law) and cooperation with affected families and the local
community.
- More involved in dealing with domestic violence cases.
- Improved recording of cases.
Both Right holders and Duty bearers:
- Higher awareness of the nature and consequences of domestic violence; that it is not a private matter, that it violates women's rights, and that lasting change
requires engagement from the whole society.
Project design:
- Well designed with a log frame, a clear plan and budget.
- Transparent in its plans and working methods.
- An innovative idea that is sustainable.
Disadvantages/weaknesses
- Limited to families with a history of domestic violence. The project has not yet
reached the community as a whole as well as directly affected children.
- It is difficult to mobilize the participation of men, both the violators and others.
- Still too slow response for victims requiring an emergency intervention.
- An effective intervention by local authorities is still lacking for serious cases.
- It is difficult to identify violence related to economic and psychological abuse.
- The small budget limits the geographical scope and type of intervention.
Findings about the situation of domestic violence in Quang Dien
Causes and factors
- Causes: Traditional values and views on gender roles - gender bias and inequity.
Two main factors contribute to domestic violence; poverty and alcohol.
Types of Domestic Violence
- Physical (most visible), psychological, sexual and economic/labor.
Reactions of individuals, communities and institutions
- The Victims - women: suffering, accepting, keeping inside, in serious cases seek
help from neighbors, in extremely serious cases seek help from authorities (police)
- Men: Claiming to have the traditional right "to educate" their wives.
- Conciliation groups - Women's Union: Providing "traditional" counseling with the
purpose of family conciliation, a concept which ignores women's needs and rights.
No professional capacity combined with a lack of compassion and enthusiasm.
- Legal institutions and laws: Does not take women's rights and situation into
account. Hence it allows for the continuation of domestic violence. High threshold
for women to seek assistance from the legal system e.g. a requirement for an
accusation letter and a bodily damage of minimum 11%.

Recommendations

1. Continue efforts on awareness raising on gender and CEDAW.
2. Improve counseling services for victims and families.
3. Provide special support to seriously affected victims.
4. Involve and train more people from the local community in the conciliation group and the gender committee.
5. Advocate for the implementation of laws on domestic violence (prepared for, but yet not approved by the National Assembly) and related laws e.g. on alcohol.