Publications

This evidence-to-policy brief is based on a rapid evidence assessment of the effectiveness of social and behaviour change (SBC)-informed interventions to reduce both violence against children and intimate partner violence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is intended as a user-friendly overview for anyone with an interest in learning about the broad possibilities of addressing violence provided by SBC-informed parenting initiatives. 

The assessment aims to: 
• Appraise the available evidence on the effectiveness of SBC-informed interventions that target parents and caregivers in reducing violence against children in the home
• Assess the impact of parenting interventions on reducing co-occurring intimate partner violence
• Identify the theories underpinning SBC-informed interventions and the settings in which SBC interventions work and for whom
• Evaluate the costs and cost-effectiveness of SBC-informed parenting interventions 
• Identify relevant contextual factors, including population groups, intervention characteristics and the implementation considerations required for successfully delivering SBC-informed parenting interventions.

The findings indicate that:
• There is a robust evidence base demonstrating that parenting programmes informed by SBC can be effective in reducing violence perpetrated against children by parents in LMICs, provided the programmes are implemented by trained facilitators
• Co-occurrence of intimate partner violence can also be reduced through SBC-informed parenting programmes
• Local resources and personnel can help keep programme costs low
• SBC-informed parenting programmes may be transferable to different contexts, populations and settings in LMICs. Some studies suggested programmes were successfully implemented in humanitarian settings and for parents of children of various ages. Implementation in new settings, however, should be accompanied by quality monitoring and evaluation.

This paper provides a framework for analyzing constraints that apply specifically to women, which theory suggests may have negative impacts on child outcomes (as well as on women). We classify women’s constraints into four dimensions: (i) low influence on household decisions, (ii) restrictions on mobility, (iii) domestic physical and psychological abuse, and (iv) limited information access. Each of these constraints are in principle determined within households. We test the impact of women’s constraints on child outcomes using nationally representative household Demographic and Health Survey data from India, including 53,030 mothers and 113,708 children, collected in 2015-16. We examine outcomes including nutrition, health, education, water quality, and sanitation. In our primary specification, outcomes are measured as multidimensional deprivations incorporating indicators for each of these deficiencies, utilizing a version of UNICEF’s Multidimensional Overlapping Deprivation Analysis index. We identify causal impacts using a Lewbel specification and present an array of additional econometric strategies and robustness checks. We find that children of women who are subjected to domestic abuse, have low influence in decision making, and limited freedom of mobility are consistently more likely to be deprived, measured both multidimensionally and with separate indicators.

This paper explores children’s accounts of violence at home in Viet Nam, and the ways in which factors at the individual, family, community and society levels affect their experiences of violence. The paper analyses cross-sectional survey data and qualitative data gathered from Young Lives; it explores what children know about violence, how they experience it, what they think drives violence at home, what they perceive the consequences to be, and finally, the support they find effective in addressing violence. High proportions of children experience violence (mostly physical punishment and emotional abuse). The paper contributes to knowledge about the nature and experience of violence affecting children in resource-poor settings, and concludes with some suggestions for policy, programming and practice.

This publication was jointly developed by the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre (IRC) and the Government of the Netherlands. It includes a background document prepared by IRC and summarizes the discussions and outcomes of the International Conference on Violence against the Girl Child held in The Hague from 9-10 March 2009. The conference addressed gaps in knowledge, research and responses to violence against girls in the home and family, and was a follow-up to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children.

This Digest focuses on domestic violence as one of the most prevalent yet relatively hidden and ignored forms of violence against women and girls globally. Domestic violence is a health, legal, economic, educational, developmental and, above all, a human rights issue. The Digest looks at the magnitude and universality of domestic violence, and its impact on the rights of women and children. It emphasizes the need for coordinated and integrated policy responses; implementing existing leglisation; and ensuring greater accountability from governments in order to eliminate this violence. Information on regional and international NGOs working in this area, and suggestions for further reading are also provided.

Este número del Innocenti Digest afronta el tema de la violencia doméstica, una de las formas de violencia contra mujeres y niñas más difundidas a nivel mundial, aunque suele permanecer relativamente oculta e ignorada. La violencia doméstica es un problema que afecta numerosos campos: la sanidad, la justicia, la economia, la educación, el desarollo y, sobre todo, los derechos humanos. El Digest examina las dimensiones y el carácter universal de la violencia doméstica, como asimismo la repercusión que tiene en los derechos de mujeres y niños.

Ce digest souligne la violence domestique comme une des formes les plus répandues, même si elle est relativement occultée et méconnue, de la violence à l'égard des femmes et des filles au niveau mondial. La violence domestique est un problème qui concerne la santé, le droit, l'économie, l'éducation, le développement et, avant tout, les droits humains. Le digest examine l'ampleur et l'universalité du problème de la violence domestique, et son impact sur les droits des femmes et des enfants. Il met l'accent sur la nécessité de réponses politiques coordonnées et intégrées, par une majeure collaboration entre les parties intéressées, par l'établissement de mécanismes de surveillance et d'évaluation des programmes et des politiques, par l'application de la législation en vigueur, et par l'obligation pour les gouvernements d'assumer davantage leurs responsabilités, afin d'éliminer cette violence. Le digest fournit également des informations sur les ONG régionales et internationales oeuvrant dans ce domaine, ainsi que des suggestions de lecture.

Questo numero di Innocenti Digest affronta il tema della violenza domestica, una delle forme globalmente più diffuse di violenza contro le donne e le ragazze, che però rimane relativamente nascosta e ignorata. Il problema della violenza domestica chiama in causa una varietà di ambiti: la sanità, la giustizia, l'economia, l'istruzione, lo sviluppo e, soprattutto, i diritti dell'uomo. Il Digest esamina le dimensioni e la diffusione del problema, e le ripercussioni che esso ha sui diritti delle donne e dei minori. Sottolinea l'esigenza di fornire risposte politiche coordinate e integrate: con una più efficace applicazione della legislazione esistente e con un impegno più diretto e visibile nella lotta contro questa violenza da parte dei governi. Lo studio contiene inoltre informazioni sulle ONG regionali e internazionali attive su questo tema, oltre che indicazioni bibliografiche utili per approfondire l'argomento.