11.4 International efforts to prevent violence

International efforts to prevent violence span cultures and countries, employing strategies like education, legal reforms, and community interventions. These approaches vary based on cultural norms, resources, and political priorities, highlighting the importance of context in violence prevention.

Global organizations like the UN and WHO play crucial roles in coordinating prevention efforts. They provide guidelines, resources, and support to countries worldwide. However, the effectiveness of these efforts depends on factors like political will, funding, and local participation.

Violence Prevention Strategies Across Cultures

Cultural Influences on Prevention Approaches

Top images from around the web for Cultural Influences on Prevention Approaches

• 

  Frontiers | School Violence and Teacher Professional Engagement: A Cross-National Study View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Sexual Violence: Key Concepts and Facilitation Strategies – Active Bystander Intervention ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Pathways From Family Violence to Adolescent Violence: Examining the Mediating Mechanisms View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | School Violence and Teacher Professional Engagement: A Cross-National Study View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Sexual Violence: Key Concepts and Facilitation Strategies – Active Bystander Intervention ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Cultural Influences on Prevention Approaches

• 

  Frontiers | School Violence and Teacher Professional Engagement: A Cross-National Study View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Sexual Violence: Key Concepts and Facilitation Strategies – Active Bystander Intervention ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | Pathways From Family Violence to Adolescent Violence: Examining the Mediating Mechanisms View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | School Violence and Teacher Professional Engagement: A Cross-National Study View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Sexual Violence: Key Concepts and Facilitation Strategies – Active Bystander Intervention ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Different countries and cultures employ varying approaches to violence prevention based on factors such as cultural norms, available resources, and political priorities
  • Cultural attitudes towards violence, gender roles, and conflict resolution can significantly influence the design and implementation of prevention strategies (e.g., patriarchal societies may prioritize interventions targeting male perpetrators, while more egalitarian cultures may focus on empowering women and girls)
  • The availability of resources, such as funding, trained personnel, and infrastructure, can shape the scope and scale of violence prevention efforts in different countries (e.g., high-income countries may invest more in comprehensive, multi-sectoral programs compared to low-income countries with limited resources)
  • Political priorities and leadership can determine the level of commitment and support for violence prevention initiatives at the national and local levels (e.g., governments that prioritize public safety and social welfare may allocate more resources to violence prevention compared to those focused on other issues)

Common Prevention Strategies and Approaches

• Common violence prevention strategies used across countries include education and awareness campaigns, legal and policy reforms, and community-based interventions
  • Education and awareness campaigns aim to change social norms, attitudes, and behaviors related to violence by providing information, skills, and resources to individuals and communities (e.g., school-based programs on healthy relationships, media campaigns challenging gender stereotypes)
  • Legal and policy reforms seek to strengthen the institutional and regulatory framework for preventing and responding to violence, such as enacting laws criminalizing domestic violence, establishing protection orders, and improving access to justice for survivors
  • Community-based interventions engage local stakeholders, such as community leaders, faith-based organizations, and youth groups, in designing and implementing context-specific violence prevention initiatives (e.g., neighborhood watch programs, mentoring schemes for at-risk youth)
• Some countries focus more on punitive measures and law enforcement, while others prioritize public health approaches and social welfare programs
  • Countries with a strong emphasis on criminal justice may invest more in policing, prosecution, and incarceration as a means of deterring and punishing violent behavior (e.g., mandatory arrest policies for domestic violence cases, lengthy prison sentences for violent offenders)
  • Countries adopting a public health approach may prioritize primary prevention strategies that address the underlying determinants of violence, such as poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, through initiatives like early childhood development programs, job training, and affordable housing
  • Social welfare-oriented countries may provide a range of support services for individuals and families affected by violence, such as counseling, shelter, and financial assistance, as well as investing in social safety nets and inclusive policies to reduce vulnerabilities

Cross-Cultural Learning and Collaboration

• Comparing violence prevention strategies across countries can help identify best practices, challenges, and opportunities for cross-cultural learning and collaboration
  • Examining the successes and failures of different prevention approaches in various contexts can provide valuable insights into what works, what doesn't, and why, informing the design and adaptation of interventions in other settings
  • Sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources across countries can help build capacity, foster innovation, and accelerate progress in violence prevention (e.g., international conferences, research partnerships, technical assistance programs)
  • Collaborating on violence prevention initiatives can also promote greater coordination, coherence, and impact at the regional and global levels, addressing transnational factors and leveraging collective action to achieve shared goals (e.g., joint campaigns, multi-country projects, international agreements)

International Organizations in Violence Prevention

Roles and Functions of International Organizations

• International organizations, such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, and UNICEF, play a crucial role in advocating for and coordinating global violence prevention efforts
  • These organizations provide a platform for member states to discuss, negotiate, and agree on common priorities, strategies, and actions for violence prevention at the international level (e.g., the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes targets on reducing violence against women and children)
  • They also serve as a voice for raising awareness, mobilizing resources, and building political will for violence prevention among governments, donors, and the general public (e.g., the WHO's Global Campaign for Violence Prevention, UNICEF's #ENDviolence campaign)
• These organizations provide technical assistance, funding, and capacity building to support violence prevention initiatives in different countries and regions
  • Technical assistance involves providing expert guidance, tools, and training to help countries design, implement, and evaluate violence prevention policies and programs (e.g., the WHO's INSPIRE package of seven evidence-based strategies for ending violence against children)
  • Funding support includes grants, loans, and other financial mechanisms to enable countries to invest in violence prevention infrastructure, services, and interventions (e.g., the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which supports civil society organizations working on violence prevention and response)
  • Capacity building focuses on strengthening the knowledge, skills, and resources of individuals, organizations, and systems to effectively prevent and respond to violence (e.g., training workshops for service providers, institutional strengthening of government agencies, support for research and data collection)

Evidence-Based Guidelines and Resources

• International organizations facilitate the development and dissemination of evidence-based guidelines, tools, and resources for violence prevention
  • They convene experts and stakeholders to review and synthesize the latest evidence on what works in violence prevention, producing guidelines and recommendations for policy and practice (e.g., the WHO's guidelines on preventing youth violence, the UN's model strategies on eliminating violence against children in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice)
  • They also develop and disseminate practical tools and resources to support the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as training manuals, assessment instruments, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks (e.g., UNICEF's toolkit on ending violence against children, the WHO's violence prevention information system)
  • These organizations promote the sharing of knowledge and best practices across countries and regions through various platforms, such as online databases, newsletters, and communities of practice (e.g., the UN's Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence against Women and Girls, the WHO's Prevention of Violence Global Network)

Partnerships and Collaboration

• International organizations often work in partnership with national governments, civil society groups, and local communities to implement violence prevention programs and policies
  • Collaborating with national governments is essential for ensuring the alignment of violence prevention efforts with national priorities, policies, and systems, as well as for leveraging domestic resources and leadership (e.g., the WHO's partnership with the Ministry of Health in Cambodia to develop a national action plan on violence prevention)
  • Engaging civil society organizations, such as women's groups, youth associations, and faith-based organizations, is critical for reaching and mobilizing communities, promoting local ownership and participation, and addressing context-specific needs and challenges (e.g., UNICEF's partnerships with grassroots organizations to implement community-based violence prevention programs in various countries)
  • Working with local communities involves empowering and supporting individuals and groups to identify, prioritize, and address violence-related issues in their own settings, using culturally relevant and sustainable approaches (e.g., the UN's Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces initiative, which engages local stakeholders in designing and implementing interventions to prevent sexual harassment and violence against women in public spaces)
• The effectiveness of international organizations in promoting violence prevention depends on factors such as political will, resources, and local ownership and participation
  • Political will at the national and international levels is essential for prioritizing violence prevention, allocating adequate resources, and creating an enabling environment for action (e.g., strong leadership and commitment from heads of state and government, supportive legislation and policies)
  • Sufficient and sustained resources, including funding, personnel, and infrastructure, are critical for implementing and scaling up violence prevention initiatives, particularly in low- and middle-income countries with competing development priorities
  • Local ownership and participation are key to ensuring the relevance, acceptability, and sustainability of violence prevention efforts, as well as for building trust, capacity, and resilience among communities affected by violence (e.g., involving local leaders and organizations in the design, implementation, and monitoring of interventions, promoting community-driven solutions)

Effectiveness of Treaties in Addressing Violence

Legal Frameworks for Violence Prevention

• International treaties and conventions, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, provide a legal framework for addressing violence at a global level
  • These instruments establish a set of legally binding obligations for states to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of individuals and groups, including the right to be free from violence (e.g., the CRC requires states to take all appropriate measures to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation)
  • They also provide a common language and standard for defining and addressing violence across different countries and contexts, promoting consistency and comparability in laws, policies, and practices (e.g., the CEDAW defines violence against women as a form of discrimination and a violation of human rights, requiring states to take comprehensive measures to prevent and respond to such violence)
• These instruments set standards and obligations for states to prevent, respond to, and provide redress for various forms of violence
  • Prevention obligations include taking legislative, administrative, and other measures to address the root causes and risk factors of violence, such as discrimination, inequality, and harmful social norms (e.g., the CRC requires states to promote positive parenting and non-violent forms of discipline, the CEDAW calls for the elimination of gender stereotypes and practices that perpetuate violence against women)
  • Response obligations involve ensuring access to justice, protection, and support services for survivors of violence, as well as holding perpetrators accountable through effective investigation, prosecution, and punishment (e.g., the CRC requires states to establish child-friendly reporting and referral mechanisms, the CEDAW obliges states to provide legal, medical, and psychosocial assistance to women survivors of violence)
  • Redress obligations include providing effective remedies and reparations for victims of violence, such as compensation, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition (e.g., the CRC and CEDAW both require states to ensure access to effective remedies and redress for child and women survivors of violence, respectively)

Monitoring and Accountability Mechanisms

• Monitoring and reporting mechanisms, such as periodic reviews and complaint procedures, can help hold states accountable for their obligations under these instruments
  • Periodic reviews involve regular reporting by states on their progress in implementing the provisions of the treaty, as well as dialogue with treaty monitoring bodies and other stakeholders (e.g., the CRC and CEDAW Committees review states' reports every 4-5 years, issuing concluding observations and recommendations for further action)
  • Complaint procedures allow individuals or groups to bring allegations of violations of their rights under the treaty to the attention of the monitoring body, which can then investigate and issue decisions or recommendations (e.g., the Optional Protocol to the CEDAW establishes a communication and inquiry procedure for women to report cases of discrimination and violence to the CEDAW Committee)
  • Other accountability mechanisms include special rapporteurs, who are independent experts appointed to monitor and report on specific human rights issues, such as violence against women or children (e.g., the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on violence against children)

Challenges and Limitations

• However, the impact of treaties and conventions on reducing violence in practice is often limited by factors such as lack of political will, inadequate resources, and cultural resistance
  • Lack of political will can manifest in states' failure to ratify or accede to treaties, to harmonize national laws and policies with treaty provisions, or to allocate sufficient resources for implementation (e.g., many states have not ratified the Optional Protocol to the CEDAW, which allows for individual complaints, or have entered reservations to key provisions of the CRC and CEDAW related to violence)
  • Inadequate resources, including financial, technical, and human resources, can hinder states' ability to effectively implement treaty obligations, particularly in developing countries with competing priorities (e.g., lack of funding for violence prevention programs, shortage of trained professionals in health, social services, and justice sectors)
  • Cultural resistance can arise when treaty provisions are perceived to conflict with traditional values, practices, or power structures, leading to backlash or non-compliance (e.g., opposition to laws criminalizing domestic violence or child marriage based on religious or customary norms, resistance to changing gender roles and masculinity norms that perpetuate violence)
• The effectiveness of treaties and conventions depends on the level of ratification, implementation, and enforcement by member states
  • Ratification refers to the formal process by which a state consents to be bound by a treaty, often requiring approval by national parliaments or other legislative bodies (e.g., as of 2021, 196 countries have ratified the CRC, while 189 have ratified the CEDAW)
  • Implementation involves taking concrete measures to give effect to treaty provisions in national laws, policies, and practices, such as adopting or reforming legislation, establishing institutions and mechanisms, and allocating budgets (e.g., many states have adopted national action plans or strategies on violence against women or children in line with CRC and CEDAW obligations)
  • Enforcement refers to the application and operationalization of treaty provisions in practice, including through monitoring, reporting, and accountability mechanisms, as well as through the actions of state and non-state actors (e.g., effective investigation and prosecution of violence cases, provision of services and support to survivors, awareness-raising and prevention activities)

Evaluating Treaty Effectiveness

• Evaluating the effectiveness of international treaties and conventions requires examining their influence on national laws, policies, and practices, as well as their impact on the lives of individuals and communities affected by violence
  • Assessing the influence of treaties on national laws and policies involves analyzing the extent to which states have incorporated treaty provisions into domestic legislation and policy frameworks, as well as the quality and comprehensiveness of such measures (e.g., comparative analysis of national laws on violence against women or children before and after ratification of CEDAW or CRC)
  • Examining the impact of treaties on practices and behaviors involves measuring changes in the prevalence, incidence, and severity of violence, as well as in attitudes, norms, and risk factors associated with violence (e.g., population-based surveys on the experience and perpetration of violence, qualitative studies on the perceptions and experiences of survivors and communities)
  • Evaluating the impact of treaties on the lives of individuals and communities involves assessing the availability, accessibility, and quality of prevention, protection, and support services, as well as the outcomes and well-being of survivors and their families (e.g., studies on the health, social, and economic costs of violence, evaluations of the effectiveness of prevention and response interventions)