Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 02/2012

Global Review of National Prevention Policies

Lizle Loots, Liz Dartnall, Rachel Jewkes

December 2011

The Sexual Violence Research Initiative

Abstract

Reducing and preventing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) has been recognised as a key strategy to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015. SGBV hampers countries' efforts to eradicate poverty as it decreases productivity and can deprive young girls of an education (World Health Organisation, 2005b). The consequences of sexual violence may carry over generations, influencing the development and progress of individuals, families, communities, societies and countries over time (Morrison, Quadara & Boyd, 2007; Ellsberg, 2006; United Nations Development Fund for Women, 2002). Primary prevention of sexual violence can save both lives and money (WHO/LSHTM, 2010). Policies and guidelines on how best to prevent sexual violence from occurring should therefore form a key part of national government gender violence programmes. The extent to which countries have policies on rape prevention is unknown. Moreover, evidence on whatworks in the area of prevention and sexual violence is limited, particularly in developing countries.