Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention & Legal Empowerment

Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) has been actively addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across Sindh through comprehensive interventions that combine advocacy, legal awareness, research, institutional strengthening, and community engagement. Recognizing that violence against women and girls is rooted in unequal power relations, harmful gender norms, and socio-economic vulnerabilities—often intensified in climate-affected and humanitarian settings—SCF's approach integrates community-level mobilization with legal and policy advocacy.

Through structured awareness sessions and advocacy campaigns, SCF has promoted key pro-women laws, including the Prevention and Protection of Domestic Violence Act, 2013 and the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act. These initiatives have strengthened women's understanding of their legal rights, complaint procedures, and available referral mechanisms. As a result, communities have demonstrated increased confidence in reporting cases of domestic violence and early marriage, contributing to gradual shifts in social attitudes.

Research on GBV and Climate Change Nexus

SCF conducted research studies in the climate-vulnerable districts of Thatta and Dadu to examine the intersection between gender-based violence and climate change. The findings revealed that disasters, displacement, and economic stress significantly increase the vulnerability of women and girls to domestic violence and exploitation.

These findings were shared with district administrations, police departments, legal communities, civil society organizations, and community leaders. Based on the research, SCF initiated responsive capacity-building programs and strengthened coordination mechanisms to improve institutional responses in post-disaster contexts.

Behavioural Change on Gender Equality for Stakeholders

Promoting gender equality requires not only community-level awareness but also institutional transformation within government systems. In 2025, Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) prioritized strengthening gender-responsive governance by engaging 40 district-level stakeholders, including representatives from key government departments, social welfare offices, education authorities, labour department officials, and local administration. The training focused on:

Understanding gender equality principles
Gender-responsive planning and budgeting
Integration of gender perspectives into sectoral policies
Prevention of gender-based discrimination and violence
Inclusion of women in decision-making structures
Climate and gender linkages in local governance

Through interactive workshops, case studies, and policy review exercises, stakeholders enhanced their understanding. District officials committed to incorporating gender-sensitive indicators in annual plans. This intervention marked a significant step toward institutionalizing gender equality within district governance systems.

Strengthening Legal Systems & Referral Mechanisms

As part of its legal empowerment strategy, SCF oriented 56 young lawyers—both male and female—on GBV laws and survivor-centered approaches. This intervention expanded access to free legal aid services in underserved districts and strengthened connections between rural communities and the justice system.

SCF also facilitated the establishment of district-level referral mechanisms in Dadu and Thatta. These mechanisms bring together police, social welfare departments, health officials, and legal practitioners to ensure coordinated case handling and survivor support. The institutionalization of referral pathways has improved response time and accountability in handling GBV cases.

Gender Transformative Approach workshops

Gender Transformative Approach (GTA) Workshops

SCF and Pathfinder International conducted two-day Gender Transformative Approach (GTA) workshops in eight batches, engaging 242 participants, including 119 Climate Champions and 123 male allies from 25 Union Councils of District Thatta.

The workshops focused on challenging harmful gender norms, promoting shared household decision-making, increasing awareness about early marriage and family planning, and strengthening leadership among women and male allies. Using participatory learning methods such as group discussions, Power Walk exercises, and gender box analysis, participants critically examined power dynamics and traditional gender roles. The workshops triggered strong reflection on harmful norms (e.g., "Beti to parai hai") and motivated both women and men to challenge discriminatory practices. Participants also shared personal experiences, which created a safe and open environment for dialogue and mutual learning. Many attendees expressed a commitment to applying these lessons in their communities, aiming to promote gender equality, support women’s empowerment, and encourage more inclusive and respectful social norms at the household and community levels.

Our Impact

Through integrated advocacy, research, legal empowerment, and gender-transformative programming, SCF has:

Increased legal awareness among women and girls
Strengthened district-level coordination mechanisms
Expanded access to free legal aid services
Improved survivor-centered response systems
Promoted dialogue on early marriage and SRHR
Encouraged male engagement in gender equality
Linked GBV prevention with climate resilience efforts

SCF continues to work toward building safer, more equitable communities where women and girls can exercise their rights, access justice, and actively contribute to climate resilience and sustainable development across Sindh.

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