Objectives: This module contains guidance on why and how to work with the police, military and other security sector actors to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. It aims to:
- summarize available knowledge globally on the role of and effective practices for engaging the police, military and other security actors in addressing gender-based violence;
- support the implementation of initiatives that work with the police and military to improve their responses to violence, including by making available leading resources; and
- promote ongoing learning and knowledge-sharing on how to work with the police and military to eliminate abuses against women and girls.
Contents: The module outlines key approaches and intervention strategies for engaging the security sector and provides step-by-step guidance on how to design, implement, monitor and evaluate initiatives that work with the police primarily (and in specific contexts, the military) to respond to violence against women and girls. The guidance is complemented by illustrative examples and in-depth case studies of good and promising practice, along with annotated references to key tools, manuals, training modules and other materials (text, audio, visual) on how to work with the police, military and other security actors.
Audience: The module targets key practitioners working at the community and national levels including government officials, representatives of the police and military, advocates from civil society groups, women’s organizations, among others involved in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of initiatives, as well as policy-makers and international donors who support work to improve the responses of the police and military to gender-based violence.
Methodology: The knowledge module is based on a comprehensive review of online literature, including research papers, programme documents, reviews and evaluations, training materials, as well as interviews with expert informants, comprising police and military personnel, academics, donors, non-governmental organizations and other practitioners working with civil society. As the overall evidence-base of wide-ranging, peer-reviewed research is very limited for initiatives engaging the sector, the module also draws upon emerging strategies and efforts considered promising practice by experts, based on findings and recommendations from smaller scale research, programme reviews and evaluations, as well as guidance provided in handbooks, manuals and toolkits. The module will be updated on an ongoing basis alongside the continued identification of lessons learned and evidence of effective practices within the sector.