Growing up in Ethiopia, I have seen and heard countless stories of survivors being asked absurd questions as they report an incident. These questions assess more the whereabouts and conditions of the survivor at the time of the incident, rather than truly understand what took place. For example, questioning the dress code the survivor was in when the incident took place puts the blame back on the victim. Deliberately or not, the questioner is implying that had the survivor not worn what they wore, the incident would not have taken place. This, also known as victim blaming, discourages future survivors from reporting their cases. Meanwhile, the ones that are willing to take a risk and see that justice is served also worry that their identities may be exposed.

Recently a set of guidelines and rules to manage GBV data were introduced, but many groups that work with GBV-related issues are still unaware that they exist. The Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) was an initiative founded in 2006 with the collaboration of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Rescue Committee (IRC), and UNHCR (GBVIMS, n.d.). The main purpose of the GBVIMS is to create a safe, ethical, and consistent method by which data on GBV can be handled, studied, and shared among appropriate bodies. The GBVIMS has four main parts: GBV Classification Tool, Intake and Initial Assessment Form, Incident Recorder, and Inter-Agency Information Sharing Protocol.

The GBV Classification Tool works to clarify and organise data by classifying the different types of GBV into six core categories that were created for ease in data collection, analysis, and overall information management by providing data collectors with standardised definitions of GBV types. The six core categories are Rape; Sexual Assault; Physical Assault; Forced Marriage; Denial of Resources, Opportunities or Services; and Psychological/Emotional Abuse. These categories were created with the understanding that they were mutually exclusive, but in reality, they overlap and it is difficult to assign an incident as one type and not another.

The Intake and Initial Assessment Form formalises the data collected from the consent forms that are initially provided to survivors. The formalisation of the consent form not only helps to explain to survivors how their data will be processed, it helps entities receiving the data to ask a standardised set of questions. These questions are understood to anonymise the survivor’s identity while collecting information needed for research purposes, ensuring the survivor’s safety.

Prior to the GBVIMS, it was very difficult to analyse GBV-related data collected between different organisations, or even within one organisation. The data was not always recorded uniformly and may not have had common points on which to base subsequent analyses. However, since organisations that use the GBVIMS ask a homogenised set of questions for their Intake and Initial Assessment Form, it makes it easier to analyse the data.

The Incident Recorder is an Excel spreadsheet created to increase speed and clarity in the collection, compilation, and analysis of GBV-related data. It automates the production of statistical tables and charts according to the data inserted and the pre-designed classifications it has been given. The Incident Recorder also analyses the nature of incidents, survivors, and perpetrators, and provides referrals on subsequent actions that could be taken after an incident.

The Inter-Agency Information Sharing Protocol is designed to create a safe and ethical method for sharing GBV-related data on inter-agency platforms. The protocol guidance emphasises that researchers must carefully assess the need to share this data and ensure that survivors’ identifiable information is not in any way revealed when data is passed on.

The GBVIMS was initially implemented in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and South America and has since grown to 31 countries. Using the GBVIMS has led to important realisations. For instance, in south Asia it was found that survivors were not seeking medical aid within 72 hours of an incident.In response to this information, campaigns were initiated to raise awareness of the importance of seeking treatment in a timely manner after a GBV episode (GBVIMS,n.d.). In East Africa, after finding that over half of sexually violent incidents that took place were perpetrated by someone known to the victim and were at places believed to be safe, advocacy groups highlighted this risk to raise awareness (GBVIMS, n.d.).

Despite its successes, the GBVIMS still has some limitations beyond the fact that it has, so far, only been implemented in 31 countries. The Incident Recorder can only reflect on reported cases and cannot make an inferential analysis on the true prevalence of GBV in the community. If inferential analyses could be made from the data collected and stored using the GBVIMS, it could be a valuable preventive/predictive tool. Furthermore, the GBVIMS cannot be used for human rights monitoring, or to measure the quality of a gender-based programme or intervention.

Considering the political unrest that has been ongoing in Ethiopia, many GBV incidents may go unreported at this time. However, using the GBVIMS could collect real and formalised data of incidents that are reported, protect survivors’ identities, and hold those responsible for GBV incidents accountable.

References

GBVIMS. (n.d.) Gender-Based Violence Information Management System. Retrieved 24 August, 2021, from https://www.gbvims.com/

UNHCR. (n.d.). Gender-based Violence. Retrieved August 24, 2021, from https://www.unhcr.org/gender-based-violence.html

About the Author

Ethiopia Lemma Yemiru is an equality passionate graduate from SUNY Plattsburgh with a BSc in Gender & Women’s Studies and Psychology with a minor in Economics. She has several internship experiences in Ethiopia and abroad. She is young, energetic and always excited to learn and challenge herself. She says this may be the beginning of her career, but she will not stop until she makes a change within the lives of women, at least for those in the developing world. Ethiopia can speak English and Amharic fluently.

Includovate is a feminist research incubator that “walks the talk”. Includovate is an Australian social enterprise consisting of a consulting firm and research incubator that designs solutions for gender equality and social inclusion. Its mission is to incubate transformative and inclusive solutions for measuring, studying, and changing discriminatory norms that lead to poverty, inequality, and injustice. To know more about us at Includovate, follow our social media: @includovate, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram.