The Democratic Republic of Congo has become renowned for incredibly high levels of sexual violence. Oxfam partner CEDIER has been working to engage men in the DRC, to tackle some of the widespread beliefs and practices which contribute to making this such a dangerous place for women. Over the last 20 years, the DRC has been characterized by internal armed …
Indignation and inspiration, heartbreak and hope – our 2017
As 2017 draws to a close Catherine Meredith looks back at the many powerful blogs posts, videos and podcasts which we’ve published on Views & Voices this year. My job as editor is a great privilege. I am frequently inspired by colleagues’ passion for overcoming injustice and the innovative ways in which they, and Oxfam, are helping people overcome poverty …
Nine steps to end food poverty in the UK
Christmas is a time of good cheer, giving gifts, and feasting. But for millions in the UK, even the simplest of Christmases is out of reach. In fact, many people will rely on food banks in order to eat. Rachel Alcock and Kathleen Kerridge reflect on the findings of a new report, A Menu to End Hunger in the UK. …
Findings from a meta-analysis of women’s empowerment projects
What overall impact are Oxfam’s women’s empowerment projects having? Simone Lombardini and Kristen McCollum attempted to answer this question by conducting a meta-analysis of our effectiveness review evaluations. Here Simone shares the key findings. After over six years conducting impact evaluations of women’s empowerment projects, I am very pleased to share our lessons from a recent meta analysis. ‘Using internal …
Strengthening women’s agency after drought in Ethiopia
People in Ethiopia’s Somali region have had their lives turned upside down by three years of drought. Oxfam’s research has found that there are several ways in which aid agencies can better meet the needs of women and girls and promote gender equality. Over the past three years the rains have been sparse in the Ethiopian Somali region. This year’s …
Influencing for food security in the South Caucasus
What strategies can be used to raise the voices of smallholder farmers so that food security policies reflect their needs? Shekhar Anand and Jacky Repila share learning from Oxfam’s national influencing work in the South Caucasus. Small holder farmers are some of the people most vulnerable to food insecurity in the South Casucasus. In Georgia 63 per cent of all …
What we’ve learnt about sharing real-time data
At Oxfam we are continually developing our use of digital technology for surveys. Here Simone Lombardini and Emily Tomkys Valteri reflect on lessons learnt from the process of using and sharing real-time data during fieldwork to conduct Oxfam’s Effectiveness Reviews. In 2015 Oxfam’s Impact Evaluation Advisers started using digital devices to conduct household surveys for Oxfam’s Effectiveness Reviews (ex-post, quasi-experimental …
Now is the time for women’s rights in the Middle East
The realization of women’s rights and gender justice in the Middle East and North Africa is inseparably entwined with conflict resolution and peace building efforts explains Farah Kobaissy. “No matter where you are, everyone says that now is not the time to talk about these issues. There is no such thing as women’s rights. We are in times of war, …
All these unused toilets – who are we building them for?
Going to the toilet is one of the most dangerous things you can do as a woman living in a refugee camp. That’s why we’re conducting research into the use of lighting to promote safety around latrines and wash facilities, for World Toilet Day Kerry Akers and Julie Lafrenière share the key findings so far. These shocking quotes are from people …