TRAINING CONTINUES FOR THE LOCAL RESEARCHERS OF THE EVE STUDY
(Photo: Supplied)
The training of the local researchers of the Evidence for Violence Prevention in the Extreme (EVE) Research Study continues at the Samoa Traditional Resort.
The EVE Team is made up of 30 dedicated SVSG Village Representatives from 10 pilot villages, who have been collaborating with the Samoa Victim Support Group since the inception of this project.
Over the course of the project, the EVE Team has been undergoing a set of training as local researchers, working closely with lead researcher Dr. Jenevieve Mannell from the University College London (UCL). The training sessions over the next 3 days is the 7th training being carried out since the 4-year Research Study started in March 2020.
Their participation in the project has been instrumental in driving awareness and understanding of the causes and effects of violence in Samoa. This level of understanding is important for the overall outcome that the Research aims to achieve, which is to develop an indigenous set of interventions by the local communities to address violence against women, within the local communities.
The 7th training of the EVE Team focused on facilitating exercises that have been developed based on successful interventions implemented in other countries. They aim to foster awareness among communities about the roles that beliefs and behaviors, particularly regarding gender, play in perpetuating violence. For men, the exercises will help them gain a deeper understanding of how violence impacts traditional notions of manhood. In contrast, women will engage in exercises that will help them realize their vision of improving sexual and reproductive health, reducing the spread of HIV, and improving relationships and women’s rights.
“Through working in partnership with the University College of London, the National University of Samoa and the Samoa Bureau of Statistics on this Research Study into addressing violence against women and girls in Samoa, the Organization is progressing towards achieving its mission of providing quality support service for survivors of all forms of violence in Samoa.” SVSG President, Siliniu Lina Chang