GBVIMS Background

When the UNHCR evaluated some GBV programs in Tanzania in January of 2000, it discovered that the NGOs and UN agencies collecting GBV data in the area were all using different terminology as well as classifying and counting procedures. They found that “programme strategies and activities were guided by subjective impressions and not by analysis of data and evaluation of intended outcomes. None of the NGOs had a system for compiling data which was useful and effective for analyzing incident rates, types, risk factors, contributing/causative factors, survivor details, perpetrator details, or case outcomes. […] Monthly [Implementer Partner] reports to UNHCR contained inconsistent information and it was not possible to glean an understanding of problems and successes across a region [of Tanzania].”

It soon became apparent that this was not only a problem in Tanzania, but in many locations. Over the course of the next five years, the UNHCR, RHRC and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee all produced documents in an attempt to improve GBV programming, monitoring and evaluation, and information management. While helpful, these documents failed to produce sustained results.

In 2005 and 2006 WHO and UNFPA hosted a consultation and a symposium which called for a standardized system for GBV information management. In 2006, as a result of this call to action, the IRC hired a consultant, funded by OCHA, to assess the situation and recommend how to move forward. At the same time, the UNHCR began developing a standardized database.

In 2007, the GBVIMS Global Team was established; this inter-agency partnership consisted of members from UNFPA, IRC and UNHCR. The GBVIMS Global Team developed and piloted the first GBVIMS that year in Thailand. From that time until today, the GBVIMS and its tools have been piloted in more countries, modified and improved. After several years of development and the participation of numerous humanitarian agencies and organizations, the GBVIMS is ready to be launched.

The GBVIMS is a response to the fact that as of today, the humanitarian community does not have a system that allows for the effective and safe collection, storage, analysis and sharing of GBV-related data. This affects humanitarian actors’ ability to obtain a reliable picture of the GBV being reported. It also minimizes the utility of collected data to inform program decisions for effective GBV prevention and care for survivors. Due to the sensitive nature of GBV data and concerns by many frontline GBV actors in how GBV data is used, there is also very limited information-sharing between key stakeholders. This hampers GBV coordination and limits a multi-sectoral response.

NEWS AND UPDATES

Maria Caterina Ciampi (GBVIMS Case Management Technical Specialist), and Kate Rougvie (GBVIMS Inter-agency Coordinator) of the GBVIMS Global Team, traveled to Somalia in April 2018 to work with National GBVIMS Coordinator Elizabeth Kigen to support the strengthening of Case Management capacity across GBVIMS user organisations, following a series of trainings, and trainings-of-trainers delivered during 2017. Since then, trainees have stormed ahead with spreading the skills they acquired through those earlier trainings, setting a strong example for other country rollouts.

In early 2017, the GBVIMS Global Team delivered two five-day Case Management trainings to GBV service provider organisations across Somalia. In September 2017, during a five-day Training of Trainers, 24 participants were retained to form the first GBVIMS Pool of Case Management Trainers in Somalia. Collectively, these committed trainers have conducted an incredible 18 step-down trainings, for a combined total of 78 training days, targeting 16 different organizations (including Government), in seven different regions. In total, 548 individuals were trained, of which 232 males and 316 females. The success of this initiative is also due to the strong inter-agency collaboration between UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, the GBV Sub Cluster, GBVIMS Task Force, and the Global GBVIMS Steering Committee. It is expected that additional 395 males and 703 females will be trained by December 2018 in 13 regions.

For more on GBV Case Management, check out the GBV Case Management Inter-Agency Guidelines under the ‘Implementation’ tab.

If you’ve utilized GBVIMS data to improve your programming, advocacy efforts or for resource mobilization, and would like to share your story, contact us at [email protected]. Your story could appear in the next in the series of Linking Data Analysis to Programming.

Skype helpdesk (gbvimshelp) and email ([email protected]) available to help as questions or problems arise. Additional skype helpdesk (gbvimsaide) available for French-speakers.

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