Reflecting on the SVRI Forum 2024: A Journey of Learning, Collaboration, and Inspiration

Written by Sultan Mahmud, icddr,b

Attending the SVRI Forum 2024 was an incredible opportunity to delve into the complex intersections between violence prevention, gender equity, and innovative interventions. Over the course of five days, I joined thought leaders, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to share insights, best practices, and emerging trends in violence prevention. Here are some of my key highlights and personal takeaways from SVRI Forum 2024.

Diving into Complex Realities: The Power of Shared Stories

One of the most striking aspects of the SVRI Forum was the diversity of issues tackled, often from deeply personal viewpoints.  I was particularly moved by a session on the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children on the first day, I was touched by the stories of researchers working with young survivors and the empowering role that agency plays in their healing process. Hearing directly from children about their calls for safer online spaces reminded me of the importance of listening to those directly impacted, rather than relying solely on theory. The sessions on climate change and its connection to violence were equally illuminating. From research on droughts in Southern Africa leading to increased violence against adolescents to the impact of climate-related disasters on women’s safety, the speakers provided a fresh, sobering view of how environmental crises exacerbate social vulnerabilities. It became clear to me how deeply interconnected these issues are, understanding them requires a multidisciplinary approach that doesn’t just treat symptoms but tackles root causes.

Scaling What Works: Lessons in Collaboration

I attended the mobile approaches to parenting session, which offered compelling insights.   The insights from the digital parenting interventions in South Africa, Jamaica, and other contexts highlighted the potential for technology to play a significant role in violence prevention. Parenting programmes, especially those using chatbots or hybrid models, are enabling families to address and prevent violence through accessible and scalable approaches to violence prevention. Throughout the conference, it was inspiring to see real-world examples of successful programmes scaled to reach more communities. The plenary session on scaling interventions gave me insights into impactful projects like Bandebereho in Rwanda, which integrates intimate partner violence prevention into health systems. Witnessing the effectiveness of this approach highlighted the importance of leveraging existing structures to make initiatives sustainable and far-reaching.

The cash transfer and group support programmes in Ethiopia also stood out, as they not only provide financial relief to women but foster supportive networks among them. These programmes show that economic empowerment alone isn’t enough- social and emotional connections are crucial in building resilience and reducing violence. By the time I left that session, I was already thinking of ways to integrate these layered approaches into my future work.

A Sense of Collective Resilience

What made this experience special was the chance to connect with others in the room. I had conversations that went beyond the usual networking –  exchanges that felt more like collaborative  problem-solving sessions among people who truly understand the complexity of working in violence prevention. There was a genuine sense of community, with each person bringing their own lived experiences and professional wisdom to the table, whether they were seasoned researchers, frontline practitioners, or activists. The presentations on parenting interventions were a perfect example of this collective insight in action. From South Africa to Jamaica, digital and hybrid parenting programmes highlighted the importance of adapting interventions to fit local realities.   In conversation with a researcher from Kenya, I heard about the challenges faced in adapting prevention programmes to rural contexts.  This exchange gave me new perspectives on the flexibility and creativity required in implementation.  It inspired new ideas that I aim to bring into my own work.

Exploring Social Norms and Transformative Change

Another Forum highlight was a participant-driven event on social norms and intimate partner violence.  The discussions took a deep dive into measuring social norm change, a complex yet vital component of any successful violence prevention effort.  We broke into smaller groups for discussions, and I found myself absorbed in conversations about the nuanced, often hidden influences of social norms on intimate partner violence. Researchers shared practical measurement approaches, from community-based surveys to observational studies, sparking ideas on how to better capture these approaches in my own research.

This session, was powerful in connecting and grounding   theory to practice.  It was particularly useful in thinking about practical, context-sensitive ways to bring about real change. By the end, I felt a renewed commitment to approaching violence prevention as a holistic endeavour, one that requires social, economic, and cultural sensitivity.

Taking It All Home: Reflections on Future Directions

After the Forum, I was inspired, but I also felt a sense of responsibility – for how I might be a part of taking this work forward. This gathering of dedicated individuals, from those addressing mental health in conflict zones to those tackling violence in climate-stricken communities, reinforced that violence prevention requires global collaboration and continuous adaptation. The strategies I learned, the discussions I participated in, and the connections I made have already started to shape new ideas for my work. I’m excited to explore ways to apply these insights, particularly in integrating digital tools, strengthening community resilience, and measuring shifts in social norms.

The SVRI Forum 2024 was a reminder of the incredible power of shared knowledge and the commitment of individuals worldwide to create a safer, more equitable future. I left the Forum,  not only with ideas for new strategies and tools but with a sense of solidarity – a feeling that we are not alone in this work, and that together, we can drive lasting change.