Breaking the cycle of intimate-partner violence: harm reduction by engaging men in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Intimate partner violence is a global problem and a widespread issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global problem and a widespread issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where nationally more than one third of women have reported experiencing physical or sexual violence in the past year (2013-2014, Demographic and Health Survey). The Africa Gender Innovation Lab (GIL) tested the effectiveness of the Engaging Men through Accountable Practice (EMAP) program, a male-only discussion group intervention which aimed at preventing intimate partner violence (IPV) and promoting more egalitarian gender relations. EMAP was implemented by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). New analyses of the study data paint a nuanced picture of the impact of the intervention. The authors find that among men who were the most physically violent at baseline, the EMAP program was effective at reducing the probability and severity of IPV perpetration. Although zero violence is a necessary and critical goal when promoting gender equality, these results reinforce the importance of measuring the contribution of policies and programs to reduce IPV’s occurrence, in addition to measuring effects on primary prevention and cessation of violence.
This is an output from the Africa Gender Innovation Lab programme.
Citation
Gurbuz Cuneo, Alev Falb, Kathryn Kabeya, Rocky; Koussoubé, Estelle Pierotti; Rachael Susan Vaillant; Julia. Breaking the cycle of intimate-partner violence: harm reduction by engaging men in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gender Innovation Lab. World Bank, Washington, DC, November 2023