When we think about context, many things can come to mind – geographical factors, urban and rural differences, cultural and religious norms, ethnicity and language, levels of education and social services are just a few.
In the video below Professor Tamsin Bradley talks about the importance of context considerations in the three countries that formed part of the study:
Preventing violence requires detailed understanding of its origins in sociocultural structures of oppression, and of its situational triggers. To support effective research and understanding of VAW we therefor need some structure for considering context, recognising that we need to conceptualise VAW as a web of intersecting causes and effects. For our study we have used the social ecology framework to support out analysis, and we have was used this in conjunction with ‘intersectional analysis’ and the use of a ‘gender-based violence spectrum’. This methodology is explored further under theme 2.
Introducing the Socio Ecology framework
The diagram below illustrates this framework or model, which explores context broken down into four levels:
Let’s read what members of the study team have to say about this model and how it is useful:
| This model supports an outward approach that begins with the experiences of individuals. However, it is understood that these personal experiences are in fact triggered by dynamics (largely gendered) occurring at the household level, which in turn is shaped by community structures and then wider socio-cultural beliefs and values.
In particular it surfaces the ways in which decisions are made, who has the power to decide what they can and can’t do with their life? Who has the most access to the recourses, such as food, but also medicines and luxury goods? It also leads to a reflection on what happens when individuals challenge these power structures? Is violence used to discipline and maintain this status quo? Is it used to remind household members of the hierarchy of power? How are these structures and behaviours shaped by world views that hold to a status quo that marginalises some and in doing so creates groups who are vulnerable because they have less power? Source: VAWG Mainstreaming: A Framework for Action Dr. Janet Gruber, Dr. Tamsin Bradley, Kate Conroy |
The individual level focuses on personal factors, the household level focuses on the family, the community level explores the neighbourhood or level at which people socially engage, and the socio-cultural or society level covers cultural values and beliefs, and their reflections in social institutions.
When designing a programme or research study, using this framework relevant high level ‘meta’ questions can be identified at each level. In order to explore these questions factors, that need to be considered should be identified in advance. The table that follows provides examples for each level:
Video: Now watch the video linked below: ‘A girl in the river’, an award winning video from Pakistan
| Reflection Activity
What issues related to VAW that may be considered universal or context specific are evident in this? |
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