Do Gender-Based Violence Interventions Consider the Impacts of Climate Change? A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Environmental Science
• Sociology

Background:

• Climate change and extreme weather events are increasingly linked to heightened incidences of gender-based violence (GBV).
• Despite significant global efforts and resources dedicated to GBV interventions in Africa, the problem persists.
• The United Nations advocates for GBV interventions that integrate the impacts of climate change.

Approach:

• Systematic literature review of PubMed, PsychArticles, and CINAHL databases (February 2023).
• Included studies focused on GBV interventions in Africa published between 2010 and 2023.
• Analyzed 86 articles describing 40 distinct interventions.

Key Points:

• Intervention designs encompassed empowerment (microfinance, education), social norm change (media, engagement), and school-based programs.
• Critically, none of the 40 reviewed interventions explicitly incorporated climate, weather, or climate change considerations.
• Existing successful interventions present opportunities for enhancement.

Conclusions:

• GBV interventions in Africa currently do not account for climate change impacts.
• Integrating climate change education and non-agriculture-dependent economic programs can improve intervention efficacy.
• This research bridges climate change and GBV prevention, informing future effective and cost-efficient strategies.