A Call for Partners in the Horn, East and Southern Africa
Preventing Violence against Women and HIV
Raising Voices seeks 6 strong partner organizations in the Horn, East and Southern Africa* interested in implementing a community mobilization program to prevent violence against women and HIV using the SASA! Activist Kit, a new methodology developed by Raising Voices.
What is SASA!?
SASA! is . . .
. . . a Kiswahili word that means “now”—now is the time to prevent to prevent violence against women (VAW) and HIV infection.
. . . a comprehensive, user-friendly program tool developed by Raising Voices for organizations interested in mobilizing communities to prevent VAW and HIV infection.
. . . an exploration of power within relationships – what it is, who has it, how it is used, how it is abused and how power dynamics between women and men can change for the better.
. . . a phased in process that supports communities in a process of change:
Start: Foster the power within the SASA! team to understand and implement the SASA! approach.
Awareness: Inspire community members to analyze the implications of men’s power over women and the community’s silence about it.
Support: Provide community members with the skills for joining their power with others'—specifically with community members experiencing and confronting issues of power, violence and HIV/AIDS.
Action: Encourage community members to use their power to create safer, healthier and happier relationships between women and men.
What can SASA! do for you?
SASA! is a methodology that helps organizations promote social norm change. Influencing knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors that perpetuate violence and women’s vulnerability to HIV takes time and requires working with a wide cross-section of people who can come to believe in and commit to making their relationships, families and communities safer. SASA! is designed to help organizations do this – systematically, provocatively and effectively.
SASA! suggests four interrelated strategies:
Local Activism: creating ‘everyday’ activists by engaging women, men and young people through interesting, creative activities such as quick chats, community conversations, dramas, soap opera discussion groups, etc.
Media and Advocacy: spreading SASA! ideas across the airwaves in the newspapers and in the offices of leaders and policymakers through story ideas for journalists, power point presentations, a documentary film, a soap opera radio drama, leadership leaflets, etc.
Communication Materials: using the creativity and fun of materials to engage people spontaneously or in organized groups using posters, comics, info sheets, picture cards, games, etc.
Training: strengthening people’s understanding of power, rights, violence and HIV using interactive and thought-provoking exercises – including specialized training for health care providers.
For more information about SASA! visit http://www.raisingvoices.org/sasa/index.php
What is the SASA! Regional Partnership?
The SASA! Regional Partnership is a three-year technical assistance agreement between Raising Voices and 6 selected organizations in the Horn, East and Southern Africa who are interested in implementing SASA! in their communities.
What Raising Voices will provide selected partners:
Raising Voices will provide competency-based technical assistance by experienced staff based on our years of experience in designing, implementing and supporting community-based VAW prevention. All technical assistance costs including travel to annual training workshops in Kampala, annual visits by Raising Voices staff to partner organizations, as well as learning center and partner exchange visits will be covered by funds secured for the project by Raising Voices.
Raising Voices is not a donor agency and the SASA! regional partnership is technical assistance oriented; however, selected partners may receive a small contribution toward implementation, depending on need and available resources.
What Raising Voices expects from selected partners:
Selected partners will commit to using the SASA! methodology comprehensively for the three year duration of the project and engage fully in the process of technical assistance to build competency of their staff in preventing VAW and HIV.
To be considered for partnership, organizations should be working on VAW and/or HIV and AIDS, be willing to commit (at minimum) two full-time staff to work on the project, and secure funds necessary to meaningfully implement SASA!
Further information about the expectations and commitments are detailed in the statement of interest.
How does an organization apply for partnership?
Review SASA! regional partnership information at www.raisingvoices.org. If you feel your organization meets the criteria and is interested in mobilizing your communities to prevent VAW and HIV using SASA! please complete the application form and send to info@raisingvoices.org by December 21st 2009. Short-listed organizations will be contacted by Raising Voices by January 15th, 2010.
Downloads
Statement of Interest for Partnership
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* Note: Organizations based in Uganda will be eligible for the SASA! National Partnership, a collaboration between Raising Voices and Center for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP). Please see www.raisingvoices.org for more information.
