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, involving 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.

被迫流离失所期间，性与基于性别暴力（sexual and gender based violence）的遭受风险显著上升。存在沟通障碍的难民女童与女性面临尤为突出的风险，身份识别不足与适配服务的缺失，不仅会加剧其遭受虐待的概率，还会限制其获取支持与救济的渠道。本论文介绍了卢旺达开展的一项创新项目，该项目联动了难民社群与服务提供者。该项目的目标包括：a） 记录性与基于性别暴力防控及性与生殖健康（sexual and reproductive health）教育相关服务；b） 梳理包容性实践与现存挑战；c） 了解难民群体对信息获取与服务可及性的看法；d） 提出针对性改进建议。本项目以《人道主义创新指南》（Humanitarian Innovation Guide）为研究框架，并采用行动研究法开展。研究共开展21次个人访谈、81人参与的焦点小组讨论，以及38人参与的专题研讨会。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共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路径与解决方案。存在沟通障碍的难民群体在性与基于性别暴力防控及性与生殖健康教育方面面临诸多现实挑战。服务提供者在满足难民群体需求时也存在诸多障碍，但可提出优化服务包容性的可行思路。