Oxfam’s VAW/GBV Knowledge Hub What is it? How does it work?
Did you know? There is Oxfam VAWG/GBV programming in close to 40 countries • Close to 100% of these programs work on changing attitudes, norms and behaviours; • Almost 80% of these programs help support women’s rights organizations • Approximately 70% do influencing work to change legislation and policy • Just over 50% of Oxfam programs provide support to survivors
Who is it for?
What does it do?
It is for you.
Facilitates knowledge creation and knowledge sharing to
The Knowledge Hub and its resources are available to any Oxfam program working on or interested in ending VAWG/GBV. The Knowledge Hub serves the Knowledge Network on VAWG/ GBV that already exists in Oxfam and helps build it and make it stronger.
Primary audience:
Oxfam program colleagues in all countries and regions working on VAWG/GBV
Priority programs:
Those programs that are consistent with Oxfam’s Global Program Framework on VAWG/GBV and its four priority focus areas.
• • •
improve the quality of VAWG/GBV programs improve influencing work at country level, and increase funding for these programs
How does it do that? The KH identifies knowledge problems, particularly those related to the Oxfam Global Framework, and proposes knowledge initiatives that are: relevant to multiple programs, engaging and collaborative, supportive of country priorities and results-focused. These initiatives build on what exists (within Oxfam and beyond) and create new knowledge where needed. -1-
Concretely, you will experience the KH through things like: • • • •
Participating in F2F learning events, webinars, discussion groups Having better access to information from within Oxfam and beyond Participating in collaborative knowledge initiatives Enjoying new connections with colleagues and others working on VAWG/GBV
What is a knowledge problem?
Some examples •
•
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a lack of evidence on the effectiveness or impact of Oxfam VAWG/GBV programs compromising Oxfam’s ability to influence or to secure funding a lack of visibility of the effectiveness of Oxfam’s VAWG/GBV work due to lack of documentation and/or strategic dissemination a program bottleneck that could easily or quickly be addressed in real time with searchable databases and people directories
It’s not just about VAWG/GBV, it’s about how we learn, too…
For Oxfam, knowledge is a priority: the confederation wants to get better at generating evidence and information, sharing it and using it to improve our work. The VAWG/GBV KH will be exploring with you how we can keep the best of what works now, while adding new capacities to allow dynamic, realtime and networked ways of working, reflecting the nature of knowledge creation and knowledge sharing themselves.
VAWG/GBV KH Quick Facts • • • • •
Established in October, 2013 Co-led by Oxfam Canada and Oxfam Québec Supported by OI and all Oxfam affiliates Financial support from OGB, ONL, OBE, OCA and OQC Accountable to OI Gender Justice Management Team.
Who are the Knowledge Network and the Knowledge Hub Core Team? The KH is important, but what’s most important is our VAWG/GBV Knowledge Network: VAWG/ GBV and gender program managers and advisors in Oxfam program countries; advisors and managers at regional level; colleagues from other sections of the organization including fundraising, communications, program quality and MEAL, and so on. One day we will expand to include people from other organizations as well, starting with partner organizations…
The KH Core Team has primary responsibility to ensure… • • •
that initiatives move forward that mutually agreed upon objectives are met that we build on the knowledge we generate.
Please feel free to be in touch with us: Anja Kessler, Knowledge Officer (Digital); anja. kessler@oxfam.ca; Skype: oxcan.anja.kessler Laura Haylock, Women’s Rights MEAL Officer; laura.haylock@oxfam.ca; Skype: laurita.haylock Christine Hughes, Women’s Rights Knowledge Specialist; Christine.hughes@oxfam.ca; Skype: oxcan.christine.hughes Dr. Carol Miller, VAWG/GBV Advisor; miller. carol.09@gmail.com; Skype: chilcott.miller.ottawa Genevieve Gauthier, Gender Justice Program Officer; GauthierG@oxfam.qc.ca; Skype: ggauthieroq Caroline Marrs, Director, Centre for Gender Justice; caroline.marrs@oxfam.ca; Skype: caroline. marrs The KH will soon welcome the participation of staff from OIN, OMX, and OZA to the core team, bringing their perspective as Southern affiliates to further solidify the KH’s responsive approach, and their expertise in leading and supporting KH initiatives.
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