My SVRI Experience

Written by Wilmi Dippenaar, Director at the South African Parenting Programme Implementers Network

The 2024 SVRI Forum held ) in Cape Town,  from 21-25 October  2024 was an enlightening, exceptionally well-organised  experience that brought together over 1,500 participants from different sectors in the field of   violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC). This year marked the 21st anniversary of the Forum, showcasing hundreds of research interventions and programmes aimed at preventing violence against women and children.

The SVRI Forum is recognised  as being the largest abstract-driven conference focused on VAW and VAC. It serves as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, showcasing new research and effective strategies for prevention and response to violence driven by gender inequality.

Key Themes:

1. Intersectionality of Violence: The relationship between VAW and VAC was a major area of attention. Given that they frequently have similar underlying causes and effects, discussions emphasised the necessity for integrated policies that address both problems at the same time.
2. Holistic Approaches: The Forum  promoted comprehensive approaches to violence prevention and response. This included a consideration of  several factors  that contribute to violence, including socioeconomic circumstances, positionality,  cultural settings, and gender norms. The goal was  to create all-encompassing plans that involve all facets of society.
3. Practice-Based Knowledge: Emphasis was placed on the importance of practice-based knowledge in developing effective interventions. Presentations included insights from successful programmes and strategies that have shown measurable success in preventing both VAW and VAC.
4. Community Engagement: Engaging communities in discussions about prevention strategies was a recurring theme. The forum underscored the necessity of involving local voices and stakeholders in creating tailored solutions that resonate with specific community needs, including those of  children and youth.
5. Policy Advocacy: Participants highlighted the importance of influencing policy frameworks to better address the needs of survivors and those at risk of violence. This includes advocating for child-friendly policies that explicitly incorporate children’s perspectives into national strategies against gender-based violence.
6. Global Collaboration: The forum served as a platform for fostering global collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from diverse backgrounds. This collaboration aims to share best practices and learn from each other’s experiences to enhance efforts against VAW and VAC.
7. Survivor-Centric Approaches: Discussions emphasised  the necessity of  centring survivor voices in research and policy-making processes. Ensuring that survivors’ experiences inform practices and interventions is crucial for effective responses to violence.

Attending the forum was a privilege, providing an opportunity to learn from leading experts and practitioners in the field. The sessions were rich with knowledge, covering topics such as decolonising  research methodologies and generating innovative funding strategies, and effective community engagement practices. One particularly impactful session focused on the intersectionality of violence against women and children. Presentations emphasised  how intertwined these issues are and the necessity for integrated strategies that address both simultaneously. This approach is crucial for developing effective interventions that resonate with the complexities of real-life experiences.

There were also impactful sessions on fatherhood interventions, where programmes like Bandebereho and REAL Fathers stood out as innovative approaches. The potential of elder mentors as role models in these programmes is something we’re exploring in our Fatherhood Community of Practice in South Africa.

Among the many themes discussed, the focus on decolonising  research stood out.  This theme resonated deeply, especially the bits that dealt with  the inclusion of cultural knowledge in research methods, as well as reflection on how to best include the voices of children and youth. It was refreshing to see a shift away from the prescriptive research approaches often dominated by perspectives from the High-Income Countries.

The workshop titled “Confronting Uncomfortable Truths” highlighted the urgent need to unlearn colonial research methods. The discussions emphasised  that, for too long, research has been conducted without adequately considering local contexts and cultural nuances. This has often resulted in interventions that do not resonate with the communities they aim to serve. I am now pondering how I can integrate these considerations  into my own work in South Africa, particularly in fostering conversations about changing norms around evidence and research practices. Moreover, the inclusion of boys and men in these discussions is crucial. Engaging them as allies in preventing violence against women and children is a vital step toward changing societal norms and behaviours. The Forum  provided useful  insight into how we can encourage the  involvement of men in these conversations, which is essential for achieving sustainable change.

Another notable  aspect of the Forum  was the incorporation of art as a medium to convey messages about violence against women and children. This creative approach reminded me that we are holistic beings, not merely cognitive entities. Art has a unique ability to evoke emotions and provoke thought, making it a powerful tool for raising awareness and fostering dialogue on  sensitive issues, such as gender-based violence.  Through various artistic expressions showcased at the forum, participants were encouraged to reflect on their feelings and experiences related to violence. This holistic approach reinforces the idea that addressing GBV requires more than just data-driven solutions; it requires understanding the emotional and psychological dimensions of those affected.

Presenting our research as a poster presentation on the wellness levels of those working in violence prevention was another highlight. It was encouraging to see the widespread interest in our findings and connect with other researchers tackling similar issues. This session reinforced the urgency of shifting more funding and focus from response to prevention work—a theme echoed across the forum.

The Forum  also enabled  meaningful networking opportunities. I met many inspiring people  who are equally passionate about combating violence against women and children. These connections are invaluable, as they pave the way for future collaborations and shared initiatives aimed at making a difference in our communities.

Despite the wealth of knowledge shared and the numerous interventions presented, a lingering question remains: Why have we not been able to eradicate violence against women and children? This question is complex and multifaceted. One factor discussed during the Forum  was the disproportionate focus on response rather than prevention in funding allocations. Many resources are directed toward healing and recovery programmes, leaving prevention efforts underfunded. This gap highlights a critical need for a paradigm shift in how we approach funding for GBV initiatives. Furthermore, discussions on  policy implementation revealed significant challenges. There is often  a disconnect between research findings, policy recommendations, and practical implementation on the ground. Bridging this gap is essential for translating knowledge into action. Another theme that emerged was the importance of community involvement in developing programme? solutions. Engaging local voices ensures that interventions are relevant and culturally appropriate,  yet achieving meaningful engagement can be challenging.

The 2024 SVRI Forum was more than just a conference;  it was a meeting of minds dedicated to solving one of the most important problems facing humanity. Although the lessons learnt were significant, they also highlighted the continued difficulties in ending violence against women and children. To promote long-lasting change, it is imperative that we stay committed to creative prevention tactics, efficient policy implementation, and sincere community participation as we continue to share knowledge and form relationships. Even if the road may be lengthy, success is achievable with teamwork and commitment.