(TOR) to Conduct an assessment to assess the GBV response across Amhara, Tigray, Oromia Regions and Addis Ababa City Administration.

Background 

The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) is one of Ethiopia’s pioneer national civil society networks working to respect women’s political, economic, social, and legal rights. Currently, NEWA has 38 member associations/organizations operating nationwide whose primary objective is to create an enabling environment for the empowerment of Ethiopian women and girls. Its member associations aim to advance women’s rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment in Ethiopia. NEWA has experience in leading women’s rights issues in Ethiopia through advocacy, research, capacity building, and monitoring government compliance with Gender Equality. As a network organization, NEWA has been advocating for the development and proper implementation of gender-sensitive policies, laws, and programs at the national and regional levels.

Context in brief 

According to the 2016 Ethiopian Health and Demographic Survey (EHDS), around 23% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence, and 10% have ever experienced sexual violence (CSA, 2016). Due to the increase in violence and conflicts in recent years, the country’s performance in various peace and development indices is declining. For example, according to the Fragile States Index (2021), Ethiopia is among the 11 most fragile states in the world. Likewise, the country is among the worst scores in the global peace index (2021), categorizing itself as one of the least peaceful countries (139 of 163 countries).

As a result of the various conflicts, women and girls have suffered a serious increase in cases of SGBV. These victims have been affected by various psychosocial, health, and economic problems, which prevent them from reintegrating and socially and economically rehabilitating themselves. This situation is also aggravated by forced displacements due to conflict or weather conditions.

Sexual and gender-based violence protection and prevention endeavors require multi-sectoral and multi-actor responses that will contribute to the overarching national goal, NEWA has been contributing a lot and still keeps mobilizing its constituencies and works in collaboration and coordination with stakeholders. NEWA as a national network envisions rebuilding/strengthening its own and its members’ internal technical and institutional capabilities and revitalizing internal systems to effectively and efficiently implement projects.

1.2 Description of the Project 

In 2024, NEWA got a new grant and engaged in an agreement with Feminist opportunity Network to implement and lead a new project, namely ‘Enhancing the capacity of GBV Campaign Ethiopia through ensuring the engagement of grassroot women led organizations’ The project scope is purely focused on enhancing the technical and financial capacity of GBV Campaign by capacitating WRO and GBV campaign group for Strategic movement and response.  The project is going to be implemented at the national and regional levels in Amhara, Oromia, Tigray regions and Addis Ababa city administration. In order to enhance the GVB campaign through the contribution of this project, NEWA will work in collaboration with member associations, and other women’s structures as a major stakeholder. This approach also contributes to the ongoing national advocacy campaign in GBV.  This project will be led by NEWA through sub-granting four member organizations that are operating in Amhara, Tigray, Oromia and Addis Ababa City administration.

Currently, NEWA is finalizing preparations to conduct an assessment on GBV response across the four regions to identify the challenges of WROs, campaign groups and other GBV actors are facing in responding to GVB. The assessment aims to comprehensively assess GBV response, the challenges and strengths of women’s rights organizations (WROs) and other stakeholders working across Ethiopia in responding to gender-based violence (GBV). This assessment will identify GBV response activity, challenge and opportunities in the four regions.

2.Rational and Objectives of the Assessment 

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a critical issue with devastating consequences for women and girls. NEWA, as a leading national advocacy and network organization, recognizes the crucial role enhancing anti-GBV campaign/movement as response to GBV to address GBV. However, ongoing conflicts can exacerbate existing challenges on GBV response faced by WROs, hindering their ability to respond adequately and advocate for change.

To strategize the movement and response through creating service directory and coordination platform, NEWA is committed to strengthening GBV response. Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the policy, institutional, operational, and resource-related challenges in responding to GBV is a crucial first step toward achieving this goal.

The assessment will identify specific challenges hindering WROs’ effectiveness in responding to GBV. This could include challenges in resources, training, access to technology, legal frameworks and coordination among several actors on GBV.

Findings will be used to develop targeted strategies to address these challenges. This might involve tailored training programs, increased resource allocation, advocacy for policy changes and improved coordination and collaboration.

The assessment will address GBV response by virous actors like Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs) and other key sectors involved in responding to Gender-Based Violence (GBV), such as government agencies, healthcare providers, legal and justice institutions, community-based organizations (CBOs), humanitarian actors, private sector partners, media, donors, and human rights organizations.

Addressing these challenges will enhance the ability of WROs and other stakeholders to provide vital support to survivors, advocate for justice, and raise awareness to prevent future violence. By building the capacity of these actors, NEWA can empower them to participate more effectively in decision-making spaces and advocate for policies that tackle the root causes of GBV and promote gender equality.

The assessment will also explore opportunities for collaboration and coordination among these sectors. Improved partnerships can lead to a more comprehensive and effective response to GBV, particularly in conflict-affected areas where vulnerabilities are heightened.

In the context of ongoing conflicts, where women and girls face increased risks, strengthening the capacity of all sectors involved in GBV response is critical. This assessment is a pivotal first step toward identifying challenges, developing targeted solutions, and fostering a coordinated approach. Ultimately, it aims to empower WROs, government bodies, and other stakeholders to become stronger advocates for survivors and contributors to a society free from gender-based violence.

Overall Objective of the assessment 

To assess the current GBV response mechanisms across Oromia, Amhara, Tigray and Addis Ababa.

The specific objective of the Assessment 

• Assess the institutional, operational, resource-related, and policy-level challenges faced by WROs and other sectors (e.g., government agencies, healthcare providers, legal institutions) in responding to GBV.
• Conduct a detailed mapping of available GBV response services, resources, and stakeholders in the selected regions, including healthcare, psychosocial support, legal aid, shelter, and advocacy services.
• Analyze the coordination between WROs, government agencies, humanitarian actors, and other stakeholders to identify gaps and opportunities for improved collaboration and response.
• Assess the impact of ongoing conflicts on SGBV response mechanisms and propose strategies to mitigate.

Target Population:

The primary target population for the assessment will include all stakeholders involved in GBV response across the Amhara. Tigray, Oromia and Addis Ababa city administration. This encompasses Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs), Ministry of women and social affairs and its structures found at the regions, Ministry of Justice and other regional legal and justice institutions and other relevant, Ministry of Health government agencies, healthcare providers, women peace builders, GBV Campaign groups, community-based organizations (CBOs), humanitarian actors, private sector partners, media outlets and human rights organizations. All actors contributing to GBV response will be assessed based on their roles, challenges, and opportunities, for improved coordination and effectiveness.

1. Scope of the Assessment 

The scope of the inquiry will look into a range of factors that impact the effectiveness of all stakeholders involved in the response to GBV, including WROs, Ministry of women and social affairs and its structures found at the regions, Ministry of Justice and other regional legal and justice institutions and other relevant, Ministry of Health, healthcare providers, legal institutions, humanitarian actors, and other sectors. This includes identifying challenges related to sociocultural and political contexts, socioeconomic conditions, resource availability and accessibility, policy and legal frameworks, and access to technology.

The assessment will explore the coordination of each actors in GBV response at Federal and regional/administration level in response to GBV, Operational challenges faced by stakeholders in different regions will be examined, with a focus on understanding how these challenges vary between urban and rural areas. Legal and policy barriers hindering a robust GBV response will be identified, alongside gaps in collaboration and coordination among stakeholders.

In conflict affected region and post conflict areas, the assessment will investigate how conflicts exacerbated existing challenges across sectors and explore the specific needs of stakeholders working in conflict-affected zones to ensure they are adequately supported. The findings will provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the effectiveness of GBV responses and inform strategies to strengthen service delivery, advocacy efforts, and stakeholder coordination.

4. Methodology of the Assessment 

1. Desk Review: Conduct a thorough analysis of existing literature, policies, reports (both published and unpublished), and data on GBV and the activities of WROs. This will provide a foundational understanding of the current landscape and context.
2. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Conduct in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including WRO leaders, Women and Social Affairs Office representatives, Ministry of Justice, Legal/ prosecutors, Ministry of Health, Humanitarian Actors donor agency representatives, healthcare providers, media experts, MHPSS experts, women peacebuilders, GBV campaign groups and human rights defenders. These interviews will provide expert insights into barriers, opportunities, and potential solutions.
3. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Facilitate discussions with WRO staff, women peacebuilders, GBV campaign groups, MoWSA staffs, MOH, MOJ, Humanitarian actors, and representatives of CSOs to explore shared experiences, challenges, and strategies for addressing GBV collaboratively.
4. Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis: Identify and analyze the roles, contributions, and coordination efforts of various actors (WROs, government agencies, and CSOs) in GBV prevention and response, particularly in conflict-affected areas.