INTRODUCTION
The survivors and caregivers’ program was introduced in August 2023. Allies in Development works with women and girls who experience one or more forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV); or, as a result of their relationship to survivors, have been negatively impacted by SGBV. This includes female caregivers of child survivors of family violence (mothers and other female relations). Through the survivors and caregivers’ program, Allies in Development supports survivors to hold perpetrators accountable, access healthcare facilities and shelters. Additionally, Allies in Development provides access to skills training, in-kind transfers and business grants to survivors and caregivers living in poverty. Women and girls affected by violence often lose important livelihood assets, including household income and other support structures when they hold perpetrators accountable
EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
Violence causes severe harm to survivors, their families and society as a whole. Survivors suffer physical, health and psychological injuries, which in turn stresses family and state resources and wellbeing
Violence causes socio-economic problems for survivors and their families. For example, healthcare costs are higher for survivors than women not experiencing violence. Other associated costs include legal expenses and loss of productivity for survivors and their families. Caregivers and survivors lose more workdays per incidence of violence than women not experiencing violence. In a similar way, survivors are more likely to become unemployed due to injuries, disabilities, and inability to work as a result of violence. Above and beyond this, violence affects survivors’ ability to complete their education, thereby limiting their potential for more lucrative employments
OUR AREAS OF INTERVENTION
Information and Referrals: We provide information to survivors and their families on accessing justice (investigation and court processes), and services, including shelters and medical care
Violence Prevention Education: We provide violence prevention education, including relationship and sex education to youth, families and communities
Skills Development: We provide access to skills development and business mentorship to survivors and caregivers who operate small and tabletop businesses
Advocacy: Our advocacy challenges the economic and socio-political structures that cause and re-enforce violence women and girls. We organize campaigns online and in communities, and lobby policymakers
Parenting Education: Our parenting program specifically targets intimate partner violence, and violence against children in the home. We organize workshops on topics such as nonviolent approaches to discipline, and mediate family conflicts
Movement building: We are connecting survivors and caregivers with shared experiences to form support and advocacy groups
Research: We work with survivors and caregivers to identify new research interests that will support our advocacy
