Abstract
Young people in sub-Saharan Africa face one of the world's highest burdens of sexual violence. Previous impact evaluations indicated that a 6-week empowerment-based behavioral intervention in Nairobi informal (slum) settlements can reduce sexual assault. This qualitative study investigated girls' and boys' experiences of the intervention to identify potential mechanisms of change. We conducted a qualitative study in Nairobi slums with students (aged 15-21 years) who had participated in 2 parallel school-based curriculums called IMPower (girls) and Your Moment of Truth (boys) at least 1 year ago. Data were collected via 10 focus group discussions (5 for boys, 5 for girls) with 6-11 participants in each and 21 individual in-depth interviews (11 boys, 10 girls) that explored participants' experiences of the intervention and their suggestions for improvement. Findings were analyzed using thematic network analysis guided by empowerment theory. Girls described how the intervention enabled them to recognize and resist sexual assault via verbal and physical strategies for self-protection, negotiate sexual consent, and exercise agency. Boys described increased ability to avoid risky behaviors and "bad" peer groups and to understand and respect consent. Girls also described how the intervention strengthened their self-confidence, and boys said that it boosted positive life values and gender-equal attitudes. Skilled facilitators and interactive and relevant content were highlighted as key to intervention success. Areas of improvement included expanding the curriculum to contain more content on sexual and reproductive health and rights and involving out-of-school youth, parents, teachers, and communities. Findings indicate that a relatively short, behavioral school-based intervention can empower both girls and boys to prevent various forms of sexual violence in a low-income setting where it is endemic. Incorporating multilevel support structures, such as involving communities and families, could further enhance young people's long-term safety, health, and well-being.
Highlights
Introduction1 in 3 women reports experiencing physical and/or sexual violence in her lifetime.[2] Multiple, wellestablished consequences for this violence exist in regards to sexual and reproductive health,[3] physical and Preventing Sexual Violence in Nairobi Slums: Young People’s Experiences www.ghspjournal.org
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a major global public health problem and human rights violation.[1]Globally, 1 in 3 women reports experiencing physical and/or sexual violence in her lifetime.[2]
Participants were first screened for eligibility by filling out forms in which they indicated interest and availability to participate in either focus group discussions (FGDs) or in-depth interviews (IDIs)
Summary
1 in 3 women reports experiencing physical and/or sexual violence in her lifetime.[2] Multiple, wellestablished consequences for this violence exist in regards to sexual and reproductive health,[3] physical and Preventing Sexual Violence in Nairobi Slums: Young People’s Experiences www.ghspjournal.org. Saharan Africa, between 8% and 27% of boys and young men aged 13–24 report ever perpetrating sexual violence,[8] and a global study in poor urban settings found that up to 1 in 10 boys aged 15–19 years reported perpetration of sexual violence against an intimate partner in the past year.[9] focusing on adolescence as a formative period for shaping attitudes and behaviors linked with both violence exposure and perpetration is both a research priority[10] and central to achieving gender equality in line with Agenda 2030.11
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