couple's dialogue

This endline evaluation assessed the performance and impact of the BAHO/Indashyikirwa project implemented by CARE International Rwanda from September 2022 to August 2024 in Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts of Rwanda. The project aimed to enhance women economic condition by reducing intimate partner violence (IPV) through interventions at household, community and village levels. Key interventions included training of couples on equitable and healthy relationships, reducing gender-based violence (GBV) and increasing women’s economic decision-making power as well as engaging Women from Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), opinion leaders and Community Activists to influence positive change in the target communities. Additionally, the project leveraged digital technology to optimize the program’s reach and effectiveness.
The Building and Strengthening Healthy Households’ Order (BAHO) project was tested on 540 couples (1,000 individuals) with the aim to change attitudes towards violence and control over women’s mobility and finances, promoting positive behaviors such as communication, positive masculinity, shared chores, and joint decision-making.
The study employed a mix of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods including survey questionnaire, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Desk review. Data was collected from all categories of project beneficiaries and partners including trained couples (both using traditional and blended curricula), community activists, opinion leaders, project staff and implementing partners.
A comparative analysis of the findings from both baseline and endline evaluation was performed to examine the project’s impact compared to the situation when it started. Overall, a comparative view of the baseline and endline evaluation findings demonstrate commendable achievements of the BAHO/Indashyikirwa project at both the output and outcome levels, exceeding the initial targets. At the outcome level the project successfully met its target by training 480 couples, totaling 960 individuals, with an equal distribution of 480 males and 480 females. The digital curriculum trained 60 couples (120 individuals) equally divided between males and females. Most importantly, 100% of participants passed all the quizzes, and 100% completed at least 75% of the digitized content. The project trained 228 individuals as community activists (CAs), exceeding the target of 200. This included 124 females and 104 males, with a majority trained through traditional curriculum (192) and the rest (24) through digital curriculum. The project trained 249 community and religious leaders, beyond the initial target of 60 participants. The trained group comprised 147 females and 102 males. Read More...