Annual Report: Communities Ending Gender-Based Violence

The Activity aims to end GBV in communities by applying a People to People (P2P) approach, working towards more equitable gender relations and improved gender-sensitive health services for women. Target communities are 15 villages and seven health facilities in Ermera municipality and 16 villages and three health facilities in Liquica municipality. The Activity focuses on increasing knowledge and awareness, shifting attitudes and social norms regarding GBV in communities, and enhancing respectful care for women experiencing GBV in health settings. Community activities involve the development of community action plans by village leadership, which identify specific GBV-related issues in a community and activities that can contribute to addressing these issues. The health sector intervention involves intensive and follow-up training on responding to GBV, aiming to enhance the ability of health providers to provide respectful and appropriate support to clients experiencing GBV. Key partners for the USAID Harmonia Activity include the Ministry of Health (MoH), National Institute for Health (INS), Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion (MSSI), and Secretary of State for Equality and Inclusion (SEII). The Activity has made significant progress in its first year, with a number of deliverables achieved and milestones completed. These deliverables include reports and plans such as the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Analysis, the Gender and Inclusive Development Action Plan (GIDAP), the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan, the Year 1 Annual Plan, the Baseline Survey Report, and quarterly reports for quarters 1, 2, and 3. In Year 1, 100% of Community Microplanning (CMP) groups developed Village Action Plans, and 60 Information and Learning sessions were conducted covering 15 villages and 73 hamlets, with 1389 participants. Additionally, 15 CMP follow-up/mid-point sessions were conducted, and 14 Harmonia, MoH, and INS trainers received Responding to GBV Health Provider Standardization training (Training of Trainers - ToT). Furthermore, 105 health providers received Responding to GBV intensive training as of 15 September, and a pre-post knowledge and attitudes test was conducted for 105 health providers as part of the Responding to GBV intensive training. The Activity has remained on track with planned activities, with stakeholder engagement playing a crucial role in its success. USAID Harmonia held individual stakeholder meetings with relevant organisations and government partners, as well as a National Stakeholder Meeting in December 2020, where stakeholders from a spectrum of NGOs, civil society, and government attended to hear about the Activity and engage. The Activity's progress and achievements demonstrate its commitment to ending GBV in communities and improving gender-sensitive health services for women.