A Collaborative Approach to Reduce Gender-Based Violence in Kenya

Funded by USAID through PEPFAR, the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) initiative aims to reduce gender-based violence (GBV) and new HIV infections among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) aged 10-24 years in the slums of Nairobi. Implemented by Global Communities in partnership with the Kenya Girl Guide Association (KGGA) and St. Johns Community Centre (SJCC), more than 10,000 AGYW have been reached with lifesaving GBV and HIV prevention interventions using individualized treatment and system-strengthening approaches.

To develop the foundation for collaborative partnerships, the DREAMS project has mapped existing community level resources and spaces for support as well as institutionalized deliberate efforts for continuous sharing and learning to improve project implementation. Throughout this process of implementing the CLA approach, deliberate efforts have been made to ensure that engagement platforms are tailored for different audiences in order to maximize their resources. Knowledge gaps are also addressed in real time to the extent possible, and further plans for engagement are discussed and agreed upon with the audience to help build consensus.