Prevention of, and response to, sexual and gender-based violence, for refugees who experience communication disability: Evidence from Rwanda

Risk of exposure to sexual and gender based violence increases during forced migration. Refugee girls and women with communication impairments are at particular risk, with under-identification and lack of appropriate services contributing to increased risk of abuse and limited access to support/redress. This paper describes an innovation project in Rwanda, involvingn the refugee community and service providers. The projects aimed to: a) Document sexual and gender based violence prevention and sexual and reproductive health education services, b) identify inclusive practice and challenges, c) understand refugees’ perspectives on access to information and services, and d) recommend changes. The project was framed using the Humanitarian Innovation Guide and drew on action research. Individual interviews (21), focus group (81 participants) and workshops (38 participants) were carried out. Content and framework analysis were used and a Humanitarian Innovation Guide ‘Problem Statement’ and ‘Challenge Brief’ were developed. Interviews and focus group data generated seven categories and themes, including services, risks, experiences, and needs. Workshops validated findings and participants identified next steps and solutions. Refugees experiencing communication disability face challenges related to sexual and gender based violence prevention and sexual and reproductive health education. Service providers face challenges meeting refugees’ needs, but can identify ideas for improved inclusion.

强迫流离失所期间，基于性与性别的暴力（sexual and gender based violence）的暴露风险显著升高。存在沟通障碍的难民女童与女性面临尤为突出的风险，识别不足以及缺乏适配服务加剧了其遭受虐待的风险，并限制了其获取支持与救济的途径。本研究阐述了卢旺达开展的一项创新项目，该项目吸纳难民群体与服务提供者共同参与。该项目旨在：a） 记录基于性与性别暴力的预防服务及性与生殖健康（sexual and reproductive health）教育服务；b） 梳理包容性实践与现存挑战；c） 了解难民群体对信息与服务获取渠道的看法；d） 提出优化改进建议。该项目以《人道主义创新指南》（Humanitarian Innovation Guide）为框架，并采用行动研究方法开展。研究共实施21次个人访谈、1场共有81名参与者的焦点小组讨论，以及3场共有38名参与者的专题研讨会。研究采用内容分析与框架分析法，并依据《人道主义创新指南》制定了"问题陈述"与"挑战概要"。访谈与焦点小组数据提炼出七大类别与主题，涵盖服务、风险、经历与需求等维度。专题研讨会对研究发现进行了验证，参会者明确了后续行动方向与解决方案。存在沟通障碍的难民群体在基于性与性别暴力预防及性与生殖健康教育方面面临诸多困境；服务提供者在满足难民需求时也存在挑战，但仍可提出优化包容性的可行思路。