Indashyikirwa or “agents of change” in Kinyarwanda, is a programme that aims to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV) and shift the harmful social norms that fuel violence and gender inequality. Originally implemented in Rwanda by CARE Rwanda, Rwanda Women’s Network and Rwanda Men’s Resource Center and rigorously evaluated as part of the What Works to Prevent Violence initiative, the Couples’ Curriculum component contributed to decreased IPV and conflict among couples, increased involvement of men in domestic and care work, and other positive behavioural changes.
The four key components of this programme are:
- Intensive participatory training with couples (Couples' Curriculum)
- Community-based activism led by individuals who completed the curriculum and received additional training and support
- Direct support to survivors of IPV through women’s safe spaces
- Training and engagement of opinion leaders
The Lebanon and Iraq pilots of the ‘Ending Gender-based Violence and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals’ project adapted the Indashyikirwa model to their local context.
- In Lebanon, the model was adapted for Syrian refugee and Lebanese host communities and integrated into a Women’s Economic Empowerment and Participation Project. This included partnering with a local psychologist to adapt the couples and the opinion leader curriculums. While Indashyikirwa originally focused on married couples, the Lebanon pilot expanded the approach to include other male participants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme was offered remotely, including through WhatsApp.
- In Iraq, the Indashyikirwa curricula adapted in Lebanon were contextualized to use with couples and opinion leaders to cultivate gender equitable attitudes and behaviors. This effort broke new ground, as prevailing social norms greatly discourage discussions between women and men about marital issues in public.
Participants in both pilots reported healthier relationships and more gender equitable attitudes and behaviors.
Knowledge Products and Videos:
- Knowledge Product: Adapting the Indashyikirwa Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Programme: Lessons Learned in Iraq and Lebanon (attached)
- UNDP Blog: Emerging promising practices from integrating GBV prevention into economic empowerment initiatives in Lebanon
- Webinar: Adapting GBV Interventions: Insights from Indashyikirwa in Lebanon
