Evaluation of Sexual And Gender Based Violence in Liberia and Sierra Leone

Impel was commissioned by Medica mondiale e.V. to complete a final evaluation of its BMZ-funded pilot programme ‘Concerted Action for Zero Tolerance Against SGBV in the Mano River Region’. The regional programme, with six implementing partners in Liberia and Sierra Leone, aimed to increase the commitment and capacity of community, state and inter-state actors to develop and sustain adequate SGBV prevention and response frameworks supported by a regional network of strengthened feminist civil society actors. By doing so, the programme sought to contribute to women and girls in the Mano River Region being able to live in an inclusive society, in dignity and free from sexual and gender- based violence and discrimination.

Our evaluation team found that while the pilot programme’s aims were very ambitious, it had achieved significant success through: advocacy to change laws and policies and to raise public awareness and influence social norms; capacity building of partner organisations and service providers, with greater emphasis now on the best interests of women and girls; development of a feminist alliance. The strong foundations set mean the next programming phase is well placed to build towards a greater impact.