A Promising Approach to Preventing Gender-Based Violence and HIV Among Slum-Dwelling Youth in Nairobi, Kenya

Do Gender-Based Violence Interventions Consider the Impacts of Climate Change? A Systematic Review

Climate change and extreme weather events have been shown to increase incidences of gender-based violence (GBV). Numerous organizations have devoted significant time, resources, and effort to the design and implementation of interventions aimed at reducing GBV in Africa. Some interventions effectively reduce violence, but GBV persists and remains pervasive. The United Nations has called for GBV interventions that consider the impact of climate change on violence. This review aims to determine whether public health interventions intended to reduce GBV in Africa take into account the effects of climate change on the region and the population. PubMed, PsychArticles, and CINAHL databases were searched systematically in February 2023 for interventions conducted in Africa published between 2010 and 2023. There were a total of 86 articles in the final review that described 40 distinct interventions. The intervention designs included empowerment and participatory approaches (microfinance, microfinance plus, community education, and community engagement), changing social and cultural norms (community education, community engagement, and media), and school-based programs. None of the 40 interventions mentioned climate, weather, or climate change as a component of the intervention. There are several opportunities to improve existing, successful GBV interventions in order to increase their efficacy. GBV interventions could incorporate economic independence programs that do not rely on agriculture and include climate change education. These findings could facilitate the integration of two previously distinct research disciplines-climate change and GBV prevention-to inform future research and develop more effective and cost-efficient interventions.

The role of education and income as protective factors against intimate partner violence and HIV exposure among Kenyan women

Introduction

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health problem that impacts approximately one in three women worldwide in their life-time. The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of women teachers and violence in Kenya. It also explores the intersection between intimate partner violence, HIV risk, and gender inequality.

Method

Data were collected through two focus groups of a total of 15 women teachers. We recruited women ages 21-44 from two geographically diverse urban and rural schools. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method to identify text themes and meaning patterns.

Results

Three contextual experiences emerged: socio-cultural influences of gender norms, masculinity and patriarchy; uneven power dynamics; and institutionalized gender inequality.

Discussion

Findings suggest that education alone is not sufficient to end GBV. Comprehensive and gender transformative governmental policy approaches are needed to mitigate GBV in Kenya.