Ending Domestic Violence (EDV) project

The EDV project was implemented between July 2016 and 2018, with funding from NPA (Norwegian People’s Aid). Its primary goal was to empower community actors and institutions to address and prevent GBV, promote women’s rights, and support socio-economic development, using a male engagement approach to foster sustainable social change.

The project focused on Rulindo District and involved multi-level interventions targeting communities, local leaders, and government structures. Key activities included:

1. Capacity building: Training 1,860 Inshuti z’Umuryango (friends of the family) and gender focal persons across seven sectors to deliver GBV prevention messages and support community advocacy.

2. Mainstreaming gender in governance: Integrating gender work into district and sector performance contracts, conducting the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV in seven sectors, and facilitating four accountability dialogues in four sectors.

3. Leadership training: Training executive secretaries, social affairs village leaders, CNF committee members, and other opinion leaders to enhance gender-responsive governance and community support mechanisms.

4. Community advocacy: Promoting public advocacy using policy instruments and teaching community actors to identify issues for targeted advocacy, ensuring sustainable awareness and prevention of GBV.

Through these combined efforts, EDV strengthened the capacity of both individuals and institutions to respond to GBV, foster positive masculinities, and empower women socially and economically.