Creating social norm change to prevent VAW and HIV: a programmatic perspective from Uganda

There has been an increased emphasis on evidence based programming for violence prevention in recent years, although research on what works to prevent violence is still an emerging field. There are also important lessons emerging from practice. The experience of Raising Voices in Uganda is that using community mobilization programming can help to shift entrenched norms, attitudes and behaviours. A recent randomised control trial evidenced some of these changes and whilst this research has been key to developing the approach, it is also essential that we continue to be informed by the voices of community members and activists. As we continue to build the evidence base on what works to prevent violence, the field needs to ensure that we place the experiences and ideas of the community at the center of our interventions.