Implementing Multiple Gender Strategies to Improve HIV and ... - ICRW

staff intended for partner organizations to continue activities at the end of
the project, but they showed little initiative to take on board the skills their
employees or volunteers had gained. A longer program (three years) may
have better ensured partner ownership by enabling program staff time to
work more closely with decision-makers at partner organizations.
Evaluation
Methodology
• Process evaluation: Mothertongue collected qualitative data on the
project through focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and
monitoring workshops that were conducted with women participants
and community members during project implementation. A process of
appreciative inquiry (an organizational development process or
philosophy that engages individuals in changing an organizational
system [see Cooperrider and Whitney, 2005]) was also integral to the
evaluation process. Documentation includes evaluation reports, project
reports, activity reports documenting outreach work, and video
documentation.
• Impact assessment report: A former program manager of Mothertongue
conducted an impact assessment. In feedback sessions held with
participants after each performance, the women discussed and
compiled reports that reflected the responses to the debates in the
performance on gender, culture, gender-based violence and
experiences with HIV transmission. Also, 45-minute semi-structured
interviews were conducted with five participants.
Evaluation Results • Program reach: 28 participants were involved in the project, which
reached approximately 5,000 community members as audience
members.
• Process evaluation: Results from analysis of qualitative data collected
indicate the following:
- The responsibility to create plays independently within group
situations prepared participants to direct and design their own plays
for future outreach performances.
- Some participants repeatedly said that the work has had effects on
their own lives.
- The women performers felt confident in their abilities as change
agents as a result of receiving a positive response from the
community.
- Partner organizations expressed enthusiasm for the project
outcomes and requested continued involvement as the project
evolved. However, when the project officially ended, they did not
continue its activities.
• Impact assessment report: Results indicate that, as a result of the
performances:
- Women were choosing to leave abusive relationships.
- HIV-positive people were finding the strength to disclose their
status to their partners and families.
- Community members had begun to use counseling support centers
in the area.
Replication and
Scale-up Activities
The Mothertongue Project has subsequently relocated to Johannesburg,
and plans are in place to replicate this project in Gauteng and North West
Provinces.
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