Ninty delegates from 14 of the 16 Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Member States participated in a five-day workshop aimed at strengthening capacity on research, data use and reporting of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Region held from the 17 to 21 February 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The SADC Secretariat, in partnership with United Nations (UN) Women and GIZ Partnerships for Prevention of GBV in Southern Africa Programme (PfP) hosted the workshop which was attended by 90 delegates from 14 SADC Member States representing government officials (Gender, Police, Health and Statistics sectors), Civil Society Organisations and SADC partners working in the field of GBV prevention and research. The workshop provided a platform for sharing of knowledge and experiences on how to foster increased GBV data uptake and use.
The workshop was held in line with Objective 4 of the SADC Regional Strategy and Framework of Action for Addressing Gender Based Violence (2018-2030) that promotes information and knowledge management, including sharing of best practices and innovation in the SADC region. This objective supports generation and management of timely, reliable and quality data and strategic information on GBV. To implement these commitments, in 2021 SADC developed a set of GBV indicators which were approved by the Gender Ministers for purposes of annual reporting by Member States. In addition, a GBV Scorecard was developed to assist in monitoring progress on some qualitative indicators to support GBV advocacy and policy engagements. The workshop thus assessed the status of reporting on these indicators by Member States and discussed innovative ways of addressing GBV data challenges and gaps.
In her opening remarks the Head of SADC Gender Unit, Ms Phemelo Maiketso highlighted that the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development obliges Member States to provide comprehensive reports on their gender commitments and therefore every SADC Member State has the responsibility to collect, analyse, use and report GBV data to inform national policy and guide the design and implementation of effective programs to combat GBV. Ms Sara Jabril from the GIZ PfP Programme emphasised the need for effective coordination among development partners in advancing GBV prevention and response efforts. Ms Jibril expressed gratutide for the partnership with SADC and UN Women and the collaborative efforts in improving GBV data collection, reporting and use across the region. Representing UN Women, Ms. Hazel Gooding further emphasised the need for partnerships, coordination multi-sectoral approaches to ensure effective response to GBV at both regional and national levels.
To improve the quality of reported GBV data, the workshop specifically discussed and refined indicators for the annual GBV reporting framework in preparation for the 2025 GBV reporting cycle. The workshop further noted that among the common challenges experienced by Member States is the issue of coordination of GBV data management, noting the multiple sources of administrative GBV data at national level.
Key recommendations from the workshop include the need to harmonise and standardise GBV data systems at national and regional levels; increased investment in GBV data management at the national level; improved coordination among the different sectors at national level; and need for enhanced GBV data communication and use. The workshop also identified the need to address the GBV data and research gaps, further highlighting the following as some of the research needs in the region:
The impact of technology and media on GBV prevention and behaviour change.
The role of faith and traditional leaders in the design and implementation of GBV prevention and response policies and programmes.
The role of schools and education systems in GBV prevention.
In her closing remarks Ms Kelly Dambuza-Chifani from the SADC Gender Unit noted the commitment of Member states for improving national GBV data systems and the regional reporting framework. She implored Member States to use the knowledge shared during the workshop to inform the SADC GBV annual reporting cycle. Ms Dambuza-Chifani further emphasised the need for Member States to use GBV data and research for evidence-based programming and policy advocacy.
