This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Indashyikirwa program in enhancing women's empowerment and reducing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in conflict-affected communities in Northeast Syria. The intervention group will participate in the Indashyikirwa ("Agents of Change") program, which includes a comprehensive couples' training module and access to safe spaces. The control group will not receive the Indashyikirwa program. Both intervention and control groups are beneficieries of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) support and Vocational Training (VT) to promote economic empowerment. The study employs a cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) design. Out of 30 pre-identified villages, 15 villages were randomly assigned to receive the Indashyikirwa program and 15 villages will not receive the Indashyikirwa program. The villages were located within the same sub-districts to ensure a balanced geographic distribution of the intervention. Based on a power analysis with 80% power, at least 16 married couples from eligible SME and VT beneficiaries will be voluntarily enrolled in each village to receive the Indashyikirwa intervention. Similarly, 16 eligible SME and VT married couples from control villages will be enrolled using the same voluntary participation principle. To account for potential attrition, 20 couples per village will be initially enrolled, ensuring a robust sample size for analysis. This approach results in a total sample size of 600 couples (or 1,200 individual participants). The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of Indashyikirwa program on key outcomes, including the reduction in IPV, transformation of gender norms, enhancement of women's empowerment, improvements in intra-household dynamics, economic benefits to the household. Data collection will involve structured surveys administered separately to both husbands and wives. Surveys will be conducted at four time points: baseline, 2 months post-intervention, 12 months post-intervention, and 24 months post-intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,200
Indashyikirwa training curriculum is delivered to heterosexual married couples in Syrian communities in Al-Hasakah governorate. The curriculum includes between 21 and 22 sessions, delivered to groups of up to 30 couples. Each week, participants will attend one session, lasting at least 3 hours. Topics covered include: gender, power imbalance, triggers for GBV, conflict management, building healthy relationships, and coping mechanisms for managing GBV-related triggers. The curriculum is designed to address both the wife and her husband and includes interactive exercises, take-home assignments, and reflections. The sessions are delivered by trained facilitators.
Syria Resilience Initiative
Al-Hasakah, Al-Hasakah Governorate, Syria
Changes in intimate partner violence incidence over time
Frequency of women experience or man perpetration of economic, physical, and emotional IPV as assessed by the standardized Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in the past 12 months
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months and 24 months post-intervention
Changes in acceptability of wife beating over time
Number of justifications for wife beating as assessed by the standardized Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) in the past 12 months, as reported by female participants
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months and 24 months post-intervention
Changes in the level of conflict in intimate relationships over time
The frequencies of quarrels in the past 12 months, as reported separately by male and female participants
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months and 24 months post-intervention
Changes in the level of marriage satisfaction among couples over time
The reported level of current satisfaction with the marital relationship, as reported separately by male and female participants
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months and 24 months post-intervention
Extent of relationship quality with the partner
Frequency of self-reported experience of trust, care, and respect with the partner, separately for female and male participants
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months, and 24 months post-intervention
Level of women involvement in intra-household decision-making
Number of women reporting their ability to make household decisions alone or jointly with their husband, separately for male and female participants
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months, and 24 months post-intervention
Extent of spousal support in women's business
Frequency of women's reporting husband's support for their business or economic activities
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months, and 24 months post-intervention
Level of women's self-efficacy in economic activities
Frequency of women agreeing with statements on current self-efficacy and confidence in managing business tasks
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months, and 24 months post-intervention
Extent of women's mobility and decision-making autonomy
Number of women requiring their husband's permission to access work or health services
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months, and 24 months post-intervention
Extent of peer support to women
Number of peers offering direct support to women, as reported by female participants
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months, and 24 months post-intervention
Assessing current level of positive well-being among couples
The self-reported level of well-being among women and men, as measured in the survey using the Pearlin Mastery Scale
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months, and 24 months post-intervention
Changes in the extent of agreement to favorable gender norms over time
The level of agreement on acceptable gender norms in the home and society, as reported separately by male and female participants
Time frame: 2 months, 12 months, and 24 months post-intervention
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.