A Process Review of the Indashyikirwa Couples Curriculum to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence and Support Healthy, Equitable Relationships in Rwanda
Indashyikirwa is a Rwandan intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention program being implemented by CARE International Rwanda, Rwanda Women’s Network (RWN), and Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC). A central aspect of the programme is a 20-session curriculum for heterosexual couples designed to su...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2017-06-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/6/2/63 |
| _version_ | 1819149856182108160 |
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| author | Erin Stern Ritha Nyiratunga |
| author_facet | Erin Stern Ritha Nyiratunga |
| author_sort | Erin Stern |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Indashyikirwa is a Rwandan intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention program being implemented by CARE International Rwanda, Rwanda Women’s Network (RWN), and Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC). A central aspect of the programme is a 20-session curriculum for heterosexual couples designed to support healthy, non-violent relationships. This paper draws on qualitative interviews with 15 couples (before and after the curriculum) and 9 field staff to assess couples’ impressions, comprehension of, and engagement with this innovative training. Thematic analysis was conducted to compare key findings from both data sources. Couples and staff offered positive assessments of the curriculum including the contextual relevance, the participatory approach, and a high level of dedication to the training was shown by the majority of couples. Many couples appreciated being trained together, and although some men dominated the first few sessions, participation gradually became more gender-balanced, and facilitators emphasized creating a safe environment for equal participation. Curriculum content that was initially resisted or difficult reportedly became easier through couples learning and trying new skills and experiencing relationship benefits first-hand, which emphasizes the value of the skills building component and take home exercises. Important insights for couples-based, educational approaches to IPV prevention are identified from this process review. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T14:08:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c1f7da5e8da641eaa507c737c60e1c33 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0760 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T14:08:15Z |
| publishDate | 2017-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-c1f7da5e8da641eaa507c737c60e1c332022-12-21T18:23:16ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602017-06-01626310.3390/socsci6020063socsci6020063A Process Review of the Indashyikirwa Couples Curriculum to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence and Support Healthy, Equitable Relationships in RwandaErin Stern0Ritha Nyiratunga1The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT London, UKRwanda Men’s Resource Centre, PO Box 3286, Kigali, RwandaIndashyikirwa is a Rwandan intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention program being implemented by CARE International Rwanda, Rwanda Women’s Network (RWN), and Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC). A central aspect of the programme is a 20-session curriculum for heterosexual couples designed to support healthy, non-violent relationships. This paper draws on qualitative interviews with 15 couples (before and after the curriculum) and 9 field staff to assess couples’ impressions, comprehension of, and engagement with this innovative training. Thematic analysis was conducted to compare key findings from both data sources. Couples and staff offered positive assessments of the curriculum including the contextual relevance, the participatory approach, and a high level of dedication to the training was shown by the majority of couples. Many couples appreciated being trained together, and although some men dominated the first few sessions, participation gradually became more gender-balanced, and facilitators emphasized creating a safe environment for equal participation. Curriculum content that was initially resisted or difficult reportedly became easier through couples learning and trying new skills and experiencing relationship benefits first-hand, which emphasizes the value of the skills building component and take home exercises. Important insights for couples-based, educational approaches to IPV prevention are identified from this process review.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/6/2/63intimate partner violencegender transformative interventioncurriculumcouples approaches |
| spellingShingle | Erin Stern Ritha Nyiratunga A Process Review of the Indashyikirwa Couples Curriculum to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence and Support Healthy, Equitable Relationships in Rwanda Social Sciences intimate partner violence gender transformative intervention curriculum couples approaches |
| title | A Process Review of the Indashyikirwa Couples Curriculum to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence and Support Healthy, Equitable Relationships in Rwanda |
| title_full | A Process Review of the Indashyikirwa Couples Curriculum to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence and Support Healthy, Equitable Relationships in Rwanda |
| title_fullStr | A Process Review of the Indashyikirwa Couples Curriculum to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence and Support Healthy, Equitable Relationships in Rwanda |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Process Review of the Indashyikirwa Couples Curriculum to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence and Support Healthy, Equitable Relationships in Rwanda |
| title_short | A Process Review of the Indashyikirwa Couples Curriculum to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence and Support Healthy, Equitable Relationships in Rwanda |
| title_sort | process review of the indashyikirwa couples curriculum to prevent intimate partner violence and support healthy equitable relationships in rwanda |
| topic | intimate partner violence gender transformative intervention curriculum couples approaches |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/6/2/63 |
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