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Table 8 Case example: developing and testing proxy indicators for GBV risk exposure using participatory approaches

From: Promising practices for the monitoring and evaluation of gender-based violence risk mitigation interventions in humanitarian response: a multi-methods study

Country: Kenya

Sector: Food security, Livelihoods

The World Food Program (WFP) implemented the SAFE project in Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya with the aim of reducing exposure to the risk of GBV during firewood collection. The program included distributing fuel-efficient stoves, training on the effective use and maintenance of fuel-efficient stoves and sensitization on GBV to both the refugee and host community. As part of the program the team undertook a robust mixed methods evaluation in Kakuma with baseline and endline household data collection as well as focus group discussions to assess the effectiveness of the program [38]. The non-randomized design included a control group that did not participate in the program, a group that received the cookstoves and training on their use only, and a third group that received the cookstoves, the training on cookstove use, as well as the GBV sensitization

To evaluate exposure to GBV risk the research team selected three proxy indicators:

Time spent away from home to collect firewood

Frequency of firewood collection

Distance travelled to collect firewood

Working with the refugees to obtain feedback on these measures, it became clear that, from their perspective, time spent away from home and distance traveled were not considered to be key factors related to exposure of GBV. Because of the great risks of violence within the host community, refugees indicated that they mostly collected wood in and around the camp and that these locations were dangerous. The most dangerous areas were reported to be along or near a riverbed which passes through the camp and surrounds the camp borders. Thus, GBV risk was not correlated with how far women traveled. Instead, it was determined that frequency of firewood collection was a better proxy to evaluate exposure to GBV risk among this population

On the other hand, among the host community, all three proxy indicators were deemed to be relevant measures of GBV risk, as women and girls from the host population were traveling further to collect firewood than the refugee women and girls

The study found that the intervention led to a reduction in the consumption of cooking fuels due the energy efficient stoves, and that led to a decrease in the frequency of firewood trips in both the refugee and host community, thereby reducing exposure to GBV

Key take aways: Proxy indicators for GBV risk can be a valuable way to measure exposure to potential GBV risks, and to assess impacts of GBV risk mitigation activities. However, it is important to be aware of limitations of proxy indicators and their potential biases, and note that the specific choice of appropriate, valid proxy indictors will be context- and population- specific. They must be developed in collaboration with a GBV specialist and with input from the target population. They must also take into account the specific context in order to ensure validity and reliability