Together to End Violence Against Women (TEVAW)

The Together to End Violence Against Women (TEVAW) program was implemented in Tanzania to address intimate-partner violence (IPV) through individual, interpersonal, and community level interventions.

We conducted a cluster randomized control trial to test the preliminary effectiveness of TEVAW in addressing IPV. Nine villages in Karatu District were randomly assigned to one of three study arms, each comprised of 150 couples (150 women and their co-resident male partners). Women in all study arms participated in LIMCA savings and lending groups. LIMCA empowers participants through savings and credit activities to increase their economic independence and strengthen social support networks. LIMCA members also received training in business skills and financial literacy as well as key messaging on HIV and IPV prevention to improve women’s knowledge about the physical and emotional consequences of IPV on women, men, and children. In one arm of the intervention, male partners of LIMCA members participated in male peer group workshops that explored gender norms, power dynamics, intimate partner violence prevention, and HIV prevention using a 24-hour curriculum we developed by adapting existing evidence-based curricula.

At the end of the study, male peer groups and community dialogues appear promising in reducing men’s physical, sexual, and emotional violence against women by targeting attitudes, behaviors, and social norms and increasing awareness among men and the communities about the negative consequences of intimate partner violence. While this pilot study demonstrated trends in a positive direction, we recommend that a fully powered study (80%) with adequate sample size be implemented in order to detect statistically significant changes in attitudes and behavior.

To learn TEVAW and the results from the cluster randomized control trial, check out our Technical Brief.