Reducing Violence Against Women and Girls in a Time of Crisis: An Impact Evaluation of the Rethinking Power Program in Haiti

PurposeThe objective of this evaluation was to understand the impact of the Rethinking Power program on violence and attitudes indicators.MethodsA mixed-methods, quasi-experimental evaluation was utilized. Cross-sectional household surveys were collected with women and girls aged 15-64, while key informant interviews and focus groups were collected with women, men, girls, and boys aged 10-64. Difference-in-difference (for quantitative data) and thematic (for qualitative data) analysis was utilized.ResultsAt endline, respondents in the intervention areas had 41% reduced odds (aOR: 0.59; 95%CI: .39-.90) of reporting past year physical or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) when compared to women and girls in the control sites. When examining experiences of physical or sexual IPV separately, odds of experiencing both forms of violence decreased in the intervention sites compared to the control areas (physical - aOR: 0.59; 95%CI: .39-.90; sexual - aOR: 0.62; 95%CI: .36-1.00). Changes in gender equitable attitudes and acceptance of violence were documented by quantitative and qualitative means. Qualitative analysis also identified themes related to the effects of societal shocks during the implementation period (e.g. insecurity, COVID-19, economic crisis) and actions taken by community members to speak out about violence.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate changes in attitudes and incidence of violence within the intervention communities and suggest that the Rethinking Power program made a difference in the lives of women and girls. Overall, the results of this evaluation suggest that successful IPV prevention programs can be implemented in unstable contexts. if donors allow for flexibility and adaptability in program delivery.