The USAID Harmonia: Communities Ending Gender-Based Violence Activity – Quarterly Report

The Activity is implemented by Hamutuk Nasaun Saudável (HAMNASA) from January 2022 to October 2023. The goal is to increase knowledge and awareness, shift attitudes and social norms regarding GBV in communities, and improve respectful care in health settings for women experiencing GBV. The Activity focuses on increasing knowledge and awareness, shifting attitudes and social norms regarding GBV in communities, and enhancing respectful care in health settings for women experiencing GBV. Community activities focus on development of community action plans by village leadership, identifying specific GBV-related issues in their community, and actions that communities can take to make positive change. The health sector intervention involves intensive and follow-up training on responding to GBV, with the specific aim of enhancing 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 implementing its work plan, including the completion of CMP six-month review meetings in 16 villages and GBV FUAT sessions 9 in two municipalities and 10 in Liquica. The Activity has also seen progress in the GBV prevention mapping exercise and the GBV Health Facility Readiness process. The end of 2022 saw the implementation of a successful event in Ermera Municipality to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The Activity has completed all 16 CMP six-month review sessions and FUAT 9-10 in three CHCs in Liquica Municipality and FUAT 9 in Ermera Municipality. The USAID Harmonia Activity has also implemented other activities, including the GBV Health Facility Readiness Assessment, the GBV work mapping exercise, and the USAID Harmonia event held to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The Activity has completed the six-month review of the Information and Learning sessions in 16 villages, with the objective of assessing the success of the action plan and identifying the next set of actions. Community members have appreciated the USAID Harmonia Activity initiative, which involved referral network members including MSSI, V, and ALFeLa, in presenting their programs and role in helping women and children experiencing violence. The community has also learned about the law on domestic violence, which categorizes domestic violence as a public crime. The community has also identified opportunities to access information and report cases of GBV. The Activity has also seen progress in the GBV Health Facility Readiness Assessment, with almost all health facilities in both municipalities being assessed. The Activity has also seen progress in the GBV work mapping exercise, with the mapping of GBV-related activities in December 2022. The Activity has also seen progress in the implementation of the FUAT sessions, with sessions 9 and 10 being completed in three CHCs in Liquica Municipality and FUAT 9 in Ermera Municipality. The Activity has also seen progress in the implementation of the Information and Learning sessions, with sessions being completed in 16 villages in Ermera and Liquica Municipality. The Activity has also seen progress in the implementation of the FUAT sessions, with sessions being completed in 10 community health centers in Ermera and Liquica Municipality. The Activity has also seen progress in the implementation of the GBV Health Facility Readiness Assessment, with almost all health facilities in both municipalities being assessed. The Activity has also seen progress in the implementation of the GBV work mapping exercise, with the mapping of GBV-related activities in December 2022. The Activity has also seen progress in the implementation of the GBV Health Facility Readiness Assessment