As a result of a review of the GBV Prevention Network and a survey of members, it was decided that to encourage more active participation and sharing, member organizations in various countries would be encouraged to become Focal NGOs.

We are still seeking members from Eritrea, DRC, Zambia, Lesotho, and Swaziland to volunteer to serve as Focal NGOs.

If you are interested in becoming a Focal NGO, please see below for more information and write to us at: inquiries@preventgbvafrica.org

GBV Prevention Network Focal NGOs

Ethiopia
Women’s Information Services and Networks Organization (WINO) active!

Kenya
COVAW (Coalition for Violence Against Women) active!
KEFEADO (Kenya Female Advisory Organization) - Western Kenya active!

Malawi
MHRRC (Malawi Human Rights Resource Center) active!

Maritius
SOS Femmes active!

Namibia
Friendlyhaven active!

Rwanda/Burundi
FACT Rwanda (Forum for Activists Against Torture) active!

South Africa
SAMGI (Southern Africa Media and Gender Institute)

South Africa
Sonke Gender Justice Network active!

Sudan
International Rescue Committee - South Sudan active!
UNFPA

Tanzania
Kivulini Women's Rights Organisation active!

Uganda
CEDOVIP (Center for Domestic Violence Prevention) active!

Zimbabwe
SAFAIDS (Southern Africa AIDS Information Dissemination Service) active!

Background
The GBV Prevention Network was initiated during a Regional Dialogue hosted by Raising Voices and UN Habitat’s Safer Cities Programme in September 2003. Leaders from 30 NGOs in 11 different countries in the Horn, East and Southern Africa working on gender based violence (GBV) prevention participated in the meeting to share strategies, challenges and lessons learned in the field of GBV prevention. During this meeting participants highlighted the lack of connection, sharing, learning from and networking with other like-minded organizations and as a result, the GBV Prevention Network was born!

The objectives of this network are:

a) provide member organizations with information about and access to resources on GBV prevention;
b) build solidarity between organizations working on violence; and,

c) to advocate for increased interest and investment in preventing GBV in the regions.

At the Regional Dialogue, it was decided that a website would be the most efficient and economic strategy for keeping in touch with other members, sharing information and networking. Participating NGOs suggested that Raising Voices take up the responsibility of coordinating the Network and establishing the website. All other NGOs committed to sending information and resources for the website and active participation.

The GBV Prevention Network Website (www.preventgbvafrica.org) was officially launched in June 2004 and now has over 115 member organizations in the Horn, East and Southern Africa. The website hosts a profile of each member organization, a variety of resources and regional and international publications, links, communication materials, program strategies and announcements. The website gets, on average, 2,000 hits per day or 60,000 hits per month. In 2004, the GBV Prevention Network also began an annual regional 16 Days of Activism Campaign. In addition, in December 2005, Perspectives on Prevention, a newsletter of the GBV Prevention Network was launched.

New Directions
As a result of a review of the GBV Prevention Network and a survey of members, it was decided that to encourage more active participation and sharing, member organizations in various countries would be encouraged to become Focal NGOs. It is hoped that this strategy will increase participation and facilitate information sharing throughout the regions. The Focal NGOs will serve for a maximum of two years when new organizations will act as Focal NGOs to encourage active participation of all members of the Network.

Benefits of being a Focal NGO
1. Increased participation in regional networking and advocacy on GBV prevention.
2. Expanded profile on www.preventgbvafrica.org.
3. Ability to contribute to the strategic direction of the GBV Prevention Network.
4. Increased exposure in GBV Prevention Network activities, campaigns and publications.
5. Opportunity to attend regional Network gatherings.

Roles of a Focal NGO
1. Maintain up-to-date contact list of NGO members in their country / area.
2. Actively participate in the activities of the GBV Prevention Network.
3. Communicate with each member NGO at least once a month (via phone, email, meeting, etc)
4. Encourage member NGOs in country / area to contribute resources, publications, communication materials, announcements, etc to the GBV Prevention website.
5. Commit to sending at least one resource a month for the website.
6. Distribute printed materials from the GBV Prevention Network to member organizations in their country / area.
7. Promote active participation in the GBV Prevention Network, including encouraging new members.
8. Write a brief summary report annually that describes the successes, challenges and lessons learned from acting as Focal NGO for the Network.

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