A Process Review of the Indashyikirwa Couples Curriculum to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence and Support Healthy, Equitable Relationships in Rwanda

Abstract

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.

Community activism as a strategy to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV) in rural Rwanda: Results of a community randomised trial

“…The programme, known as Indashyikirwa ("Agents of Change" in Kinyarwanda, trial identifier: NCT03477877), was implemented by CARE International, Rwanda; the Rwanda Women' s Network (RWN); and the Rwanda Men' s Resource Centre (RWAMREC) between 2015 and 2018, with funding from the Rwandan office of the Department for International Development (DFID-R). The full Indashyikirwa program included four interlocking components: a 21-session couples' curriculum; community outreach by trained community activists; the creation of an enabling environment through training and active involvement of key opinion leaders; and provision of support to victims through the creation of women' s "safe spaces" [13,14].…”

“…The findings reported herein derive from two repeat cross-sectional surveys of community members, conducted as part of a larger community randomised trial, with qualitative data from a nested process evaluation [15]. A separate manuscript reports on the impact that the couple' s curriculum had on relationship dynamics and IPV levels among couples who participated in the programme' s 5-month couples' curriculum (for more details on the couple' s curriculum, see [13]). Longitudinal evaluation of the couples' programme demonstrated that couples who participated in the training reported less physical, sexual, emotional, and economic IPV; improved relationship quality; better communication; improved conflict management; fewer depressive symptoms; better oveall health; and attitudes less supportive of wife beating, than did control couples at 12 and 24 months followup [16].…”

“…programme, and notes how Indashyikirwa compares with SASA! [13]. In the results and discussion sections of this paper, we further explore ways that Indashyikirwa, as implementated, departed from the SASA!…”

“…approach to community mobilisation is the notion of "informal" activism -engaging community members in conversation where they congregate: at moto stands, local repair shops or local markets. Process evaluation data suggest that this type of "informal activism" did not translate easily to the Rwandan setting, where more formal settings are the norm [13]. Indeed, many CAs and program staff reflected on how community members did not feel comfortable discussing intimate matters in public:…”

‘When you talk to someone in a bad way or always put her under pressure, it is actually worse than beating her’: Conceptions and experiences of emotional intimate partner violence in Rwanda and South Africa

“…A range of studies, including longitudinal studies, have found that women experiencing emotional IPV are more likely to experience adverse mental health outcomes, including depression and suicidal ideation [4,5]. An analysis of data from young women (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) in South Africa [4] found that a range of potential measures of emotional IPV showed a consistent positive association with higher depression scores and suicidal ideation. Other studies have shown that women's experience of emotional IPV is associated with psychosomatic conditions (such as nervous twitching, cramps and paralysis, and dizziness) [6] as well as fear, anxiety, reduced social support, and compromised self-esteem [7].…”