This year, we had the privilege of attending the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) 2024 conference in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of one of our key milestones for the KUWAZA project, a collaborative effort with fellow consortium members (Pathfinder, ActionAid, and ICRW) to tackle Sexual Violence in Zanzibar.
This conference was an absolute game changer! Buzzing with energy, the event brought together 1,500 participants from 113 countries, all united by a shared mission: advancing research and solutions to combat Violence Against Women (VAW), Violence Against Children (VAC), and the wider gender inequalities that fuel such violence in low- and middle-income countries.
It was an extraordinary gathering of minds, from researchers, practitioners, policymakers, to funders, and survivors sharing insights and inspiring each other. The sessions covered throughout the duration of the conference were centered on crucial themes on prevention, response, and evidence-based interventions that resonated deeply with our work at C-Sema.
Understanding violence against women and children in their multiple forms was a theme that had us nodding and taking notes faster than we could blink. Presenters broke down the diverse and interwoven forms of VAW and VAC, explored prevalence rates, risk and protective factors, and the social forces at play. We were proud to see the work of child helplines like ours getting the recognition it deserves. It’s reassuring to know that global experts and institutions like the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine acknowledge helplines as crucial data hubs that reflect the reality of VAW and VAC. This fuels our drive to continue strengthening C-Sema’s child helpline services, not just as a safety net, but as a powerful tool that informs programming and policy.
The discussions on prevention and response research & programs were as inspiring as they were practical. We learned about the design, adaptation, and scaling up of evidence-based interventions and how to assess their impact. This theme hit home with us, especially as we push forward with KUWAZA and our other initiatives. The sessions emphasized a key point: sustainable change requires community voices to shape and guide solutions. It’s not enough to impose interventions; they need to reflect local needs and insights.
We also explored how research can be a powerful funding and programming tool, and learned that, when it comes to research, including survivor voices is essential. The keynote by Tarana Burke, founder of the “Me Too” movement, was unforgettable. “We can’t have all these conversations without research. We need authentic information to inform our discussions and interventions.” Tarana spoke. This reminded us that when survivor voices are at the heart of research and programming, change isn’t just possible; it’s inevitable.
The SVRI conference didn’t shy away from tough conversations. We tackled the social norms, power dynamics, and gender inequalities that fuel violence. C-Sema’s existing work on shifting these norms was enriched by new ideas and best practices from global peers. It was reaffirmed that to effectively tackle violence against women and children, we must approach interventions that go beyond immediate responses and work on changing mindsets over the long term. Jac sm Kee from the Numun Fund delivered a thought-provoking session on tech’s role in shaping societal norms. She made a powerful statement: “Tech should not just be a tool but a platform where people are empowered.” The takeaway? When it comes to tech, survivor-centered, research-informed initiatives are non-negotiable.
One of the most moving parts was presenting our child-focused approach to empowering children to report sexual abuse through community-based interventions supported by the 116 Child Helpline. The audience’s engagement confirmed that our holistic approach is impactful and worth scaling.
Ms. Fatuma Kamramba (right) our Zanzibar Child Helpline Manager showcasing our child-focused approach to empowering children to report sexual abuse
Mr. Kolbassia MBE’s insights on the challenges of proving survivor involvement's impact further showed the importance of empowering survivors without re-victimizing them. This validated C-Sema’s efforts in deepening survivor engagement and ensuring they are the ones leading in shaping services. Mr. Kolbassia is survivor of torture and founder of survivors speak OUT.
Further more, our Tech for Change (T4C) work was affirmed in unexpected ways. Jac sm Kee’s session reminded us that digital spaces are where power and control play out—and where violence can manifest in new ways. The key lesson? We need to amplify our tech initiatives to create spaces that don’t just connect but empower survivors with real-time support and services. Partnerships with like-minded organizations, such as “Our Wave,” are substantial to evolving how we use tech in our work.
What’s next for us? The conference left us inspired to:
Secure long-term, strategic funding to scale our evidence-based programs.
Redesign our interventions to be more survivor-driven and community-rooted.
Strengthen documentation practices to share impactful stories from the field.
Build partnerships with local and international research hubs.
The SVRI conference was a great reminder that we’re part of a global community that’s stronger together. We’re ready to take what we learned, keep the conversations going, and turn ideas into action. After all, change doesn’t happen in isolation it happens when we all show up and show out.
Prepared by C-Sema's Communications Team.