Data initiative to end violence against women goes global: kNOwVAWdata

How many are affected by violence against women (VAW) and who is most at risk? Answering these questions through the generation and use of data is central to supporting evidence-based policies, laws, programmes and financing decisions. One regional programme engaged in data since 2016 across Asia and the Pacific is set to expand: the kNOwVAWdata Initiative. The model of collaboration, technical support and capacity development will soon scale up in every region where UNFPA works, starting first in Kazakhstan for East and Central Europe.

Data reveals the magnitude and scale of this issue and how much change is needed. Data also provides proof of progress that can be used to show how investments and interventions are making a difference in reducing gender-based violence. Given the added strain of humanitarian crises, climate change and COVID-19, more than ever decision makers are asking for accurate, reliable and comparable VAW data. 
 
At the heart of the expansion is a four-week curriculum for capacity building that aims to address the lack of national capacity for VAW data collection and analysis, shifting away from unstainable reliance on international experts. The course, developed by UNFPA and the University of Melbourne, provides training in how to measure the prevalence of violence against women and improve data literacy. In Asia and the Pacific, for example, the region has substantially expanded the pool of experts invested in working on ethical and rigorous data collection with integrity to produce top quality data, and to ensure that each violence against women survey participant is safe and valued in the process. The University of Melbourne in Australia will expand its role to support other regions. In addition to the course, there are communities of practice and opportunities for technical assistance across regions.
 
To support kNOwVAWdata expansion, new partnerships are forming around UNFPA offices in partnership with universities and research centres, following a roll out of kNOwVAWdata throughout 2021 and into 2022. For example, the American University of Central Asia will be partnering with UNFPA and the University of Melbourne to build capacity in the new tech hub located at the UNFPA Country Office in Kazakhstan. The African Population and Health Research Center is among several institutions that have been in discussion with UNFPA during the past year. 

kNOwVAWdata has a long history of support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), partnership with the University of Melbourne and Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) with the UNFPA regional office in Asia and the Pacific. The global expansion is being supported and facilitated by UNFPA through the Technical Division’s Gender and Human Rights Branch team.

With the support of the Spotlight Initiative (a joint initiative of the United Nations and European Union), the plan is to expand kNOwVAWdata in 2022 to a further three regions. The vision is one day to ensure the availability of robust data and analysis in each of the 153 countries where UNFPA supports GBV programming. 

For more information, see this video and the kNOwVAWdata Phase I report and evaluation summary. See also the webpage for kNOwVAWdata in Asia and the Pacific and the initiative’s website.