Data-driven Approaches to Combating Gender-Based Violence in Conflict-affected Areas in Colombia

In 2022, every four minutes a person, typically a woman or girl, was a victim of gender-based violence (GBV) in Colombia. Violence against women is rooted in a series of attitudes and behaviors that socially legitimize it and evidence on these attitudes and behaviors in conflict-affected regions in Colombia is non-existent. A dearth of comprehensive quantitative data prevents the ability to address this dire situation effectively.

In response to this challenge, USAID/Colombia developed an extensive study to collect detailed information on these underlying attitudes and behaviors that contribute to GBV in armed-conflict affected regions. These valuable data would then be used to design and implement an evidence-based strategy to combat GBV. In order to achieve this, the Mission highly encouraged collaboration between the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning  and Generating Equity Activities for analyzing data on how positive and negative attitudes and behaviors regarding GBV are reported in different regions, age groups, ethnicities and genders. 

As a result of this collaborative practice, in 2022, USAID/Colombia developed an innovative and sustainable behavior change strategy rooted in behavioral sciences, gender-focused approaches, and social inclusion, with the goal of preventing GBV. The Collaboration, Learning and Adapting approach used highlights USAID/Colombia's focus on generating sustainable changes and addressing GBV with existing evidence. This case exemplifies the unwavering commitment of USAID/Colombia and its Implementing Partners to evidence-driven approaches and locally-led development while ensuring that efforts are impactful and address the specific needs and social dynamics of the communities involved.