USAID Stop Gender-Based Violence Now, through the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), strengthens efforts to reach and sustain HIV epidemic control by preventing and responding to gender-based violence and HIV in Zambia. The project partners with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, and the Gender Division at the Office of the President.
Project activities focus on empowering women and girls and cultivating equitable, healthy, and supportive gender relations between men and women, girls and boys. The project uses digital and multimedia campaigns, gender-based violence hotlines for telecounseling, and is increasing involvement of men to educate men on healthy, equitable relationships and non-violent parenting practices.
The ramifications of gender-based violence extend far beyond the life of the person experiencing violence. When an individual experiences violence, they are less likely to finish school, find secure employment, or be able to contribute to Zambia’s economy. According to a 2021 International Monetary Fund (IMF) study using USAID Demographic Health Survey data, higher levels of violence against women and girls are associated with lower economic activity. The study found that if Zambia were to reduce the level of gender-based violence by half, it could result in long-term GDP gains of around 30 percent.
GOALS
Goal one
Reduce incidence of gender-based violence and increase support for gender equality among women, men, girls, boys, gender and sexual minorities, and members of key and priority populations.
Goal two
Increase access to and uptake of high-quality post-violence clinical care services at gender-based violence One-Stop Centers and facilities delivering HIV treatment services.
Goal three
Strengthen capacity of government and community-based organizations to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
Goal four
Strengthen statutory and customary (a set of laws based on the traditions, customs, or norms of a community) legal and policy framework for gender-based violence, gender equality, and female empowerment.
EXPECTED RESULTS
- Deliver quality post-violence care and support through One Stop Centers to over 84,000 survivors of gender-based violence.
- Provide evidence-based, PEPFAR-approved gender-based violence and HIV prevention interventions to 680,000 people to challenge and change harmful beliefs and practices that perpetuate gender-based violence and HIV in target districts.
- Build capacity of the Ministry of Health and relevant gender-based violence multidisciplinary response teams, such as Zambia Police and National Prosecution Authority, to adequately manage gender-based violence cases.
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