Violence Against Women and Girls Is Preventable, Not Inevitable: Applying the WHO RESPECT Framework
As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Women for Change (WFC) joins global and national partners in reaffirming a powerful truth: Violence against women and girls is preventable, not inevitable. For decades, communities across South Sudan and around the world have been led to believe that violence is a cultural norm, a private matter, or an unavoidable part of life. But evidence shows otherwise. The World Health Organization’s RESPECT Framework presents seven proven strategies that, when applied collectively, can dramatically reduce violence and transform the lives of women and girls.
The 7 Strategies of the RESPECT Framework
The RESPECT Framework outlines holistic, community-centered interventions that promote safety, dignity, and equality. During this year’s campaign, WFC is highlighting these strategies as guiding pillars for long-term social change:
Relationship Skills Strengthening: Supporting couples and families to develop healthy communication, conflict-resolution skills, and non-violent behaviors strengthens homes and reduces the risk of abuse.
Empowerment of Women and Girls: Creating opportunities for women and girls through education, economic participation, leadership training, and digital inclusion equips them with the power to resist, report, and rise above violence.
Services Ensuring Safety and Support: Comprehensive services—health care, psychosocial support, legal assistance, shelters, and referral pathways—ensure that survivors can access timely and confidential help.
Poverty Reduction Interventions: Economic insecurity is one of the strongest drivers of violence. Supporting families with livelihoods, savings groups, and income-generating opportunities reduces vulnerability and dependence.
Enabling Environments: Communities that enforce protective policies, strengthen local leadership, and promote safe online and offline behaviors create environments where violence is less likely to occur.
Child and Adolescent Protection: Protecting children from early marriage, exploitation, harmful digital interactions, and physical abuse breaks the intergenerational cycle of violence and promotes lifelong well-being.
Transforming Social and Gender Norms: Deep-rooted beliefs that normalize violence, silence survivors, and devalue women must be challenged through community dialogue, men’s engagement, media advocacy, and school curriculum reforms.
A Vision for South Sudan: Safety Online and Offline
This year’s campaign calls on all individuals and institutions to recognize that ending violence requires collective action. Whether in homes, schools, markets, workplaces, community spaces, or the digital world, every person has a role to play.
WFC envisions a South Sudan where every woman and girl can live free from fear, discrimination, and digital or physical harm. By embracing the RESPECT strategies, we can build societies that uplift, support, and empower women and girls to thrive. Let us work side by side to create a safer, more equal South Sudan today and for generations to come.
Together We Can – RESPECT, Protect, and EMPOWER
