On the 21st September, the inaugural webinar in a series on MHPSS and Peacebuilding explored the cultural and gendered sensitivities in both countries and why these are crucial for advancing peacebuilding, enhancing psychosocial wellbeing. We followed up with local MHPSS practitioners and community leaders to discuss further. This webinar was organised in collaboration with MHPSS.net and the IASC Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.
Gendered and cultural approach to MHPSS interventions
Supporting the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of people living in conflict-affected countries, particularly women and girls, cannot be achieved without first considering the unique contextual challenges that exist in these settings, including socio-political backgrounds and complex historical and geographic specificities and periods of violence. The result of gender-based violence, systemic within armed conflict, impacts on the mental health and individuals affected and communities as a whole.
Addressing psychosocial wellbeing, peacebuilding and gender-based violence
To explore these further within the settings of South Sudan and Colombia, HealthNet TPO invited local MHPSS practitioners and community leaders to share their own experiences within each country in the webinar ‘Addressing Psychosocial Wellbeing, Peacebuilding and Gender-Based Violence: Voices from Colombia and South Sudan’ with IASC and MHPSS.net.
The webinar emphasised the importance of considering these unique contextual challenges, in the context of MHPSS and peacebuilding, including security conditions, access to resources and the need to challenge cultural patterns of violence and stigma towards victims.
It noted variations in the mental health approaches each team takes. South Sudan has a more extended history of working with Psychosocial Focal Points than the Colombian team’s relatively shorter but significant experience. It allowed the opportunity to relate to each other in terms of community efforts to overcome and transform the situations violence that have historically perpetrated both, providing a moving and inspiring experience.
In short, it showed us the strong impact of giving voice and participation to women in these contexts affected (in an indirect and direct way) to the armed conflicts and giving space to their mental health as an essential place in the peacebuilding process.
The experiences from South Sudan and Colombia: An extended interview
To build upon the innovative and inspiring insights of the webinar’s speakers, we continued the discussion with community leaders and psychosocial focal point Harriet Awate and Loly Juajibioy on the challenges they face in their day-to-day efforts to ensure the protection of women and girls through MHPSS and peacebuilding programmes in South Sudan and Colombia.
Which conditions are needed to live in an environment conducive to peace and wellbeing?
Harriet, South Sudan: To promote peace and wellbeing in the community, we prioritise engaging with women and youth to discuss these concepts in their own language and foster a deep understanding. We established safe spaces for women and girls to share experiences and access information and support to improve their mental wellbeing through stress management, self-care practices and positive coping skills, like exercise and socialisation. We support community activities that contribute to trust-building and peace, mainly through sports and recreation and we promote income-generating activities, traditional cultural competitions, and religious events.
Loly, Colombia: The conditions for peace and wellbeing we need in the Kamëntsá Biyá community are rooted in our deep respect for and preservation of cultural heritage and our ongoing efforts to address the impacts of historical violence. Central to this is our commitment to gender equality and community organising, a tradition that dates back to our resistance against colonisation, evangelisation, and dispossession of our land and culture. Programmes like “Women Who Advocate for Peace” further support our objectives by bringing Kamëntsá women and girls together to address psychosocial issues, emphasising mental health and social problem-solving as critical components of peace and wellbeing in the community.
Can you tell us about the impacts of gender-based violence (GBV) in your community and the challenges it poses to peacebuilding and peacekeeping?
Harriet: The impacts of GBV in our community are deeply concerning. Women and girls who suffer violence experience profound adverse effects, from depression to physical harm and the risk of disease transmission, especially in cases of rape. GBV hinders the participation of women and girls in community development, making them more vulnerable, and it has ripple effect to children who too often become victims. It generates further violence within the community, complicating efforts for resolution and management.
Loly: The impacts of GBV are felt throughout the Kamëntsá community. They are exacerbated by the persistence of patriarchy, a deeply rooted issue that can be traced back to colonisation, classism, racism, misogyny, and capitalism. This systemic patriarchy perpetuates the oppression of women and often results in various forms of violence, exacerbated by alcoholism, which have become normalised in the daily lives of Kamëntsá women and men, significantly undermining peace, and wellbeing. Overcoming these challenges requires creating spaces for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cooperation between men and women, ultimately trying to harmonise and balance gender relationships within the community.
What strategies could help create change to effectively combat and respond to GBV, with the participation of boys and men?
Harriet:
- Addressing harmful traditional norms through the adoption of legal frameworks that protect the rights of women and girls;
- Engaging male champions in the community to promote change;
- Raising awareness about GBV and promoting community accountability for GBV;
- Empowering women and girls through livelihood programmes;
- Implementing affirmative actions, such as ensuring girls’ education and providing training for boys, to change the dynamics around GBV.
Loly: First, promoting dialogue and knowledge exchange between men and women is essential to harmonise and balance gender relationships within the community. Psychosocial support and training programmes, grounded in an ethnic, territorial, and intergenerational approach, must be implemented to encourage men’s involvement in addressing GBV. Additionally, empowering women to express their opinions and resolve conflicts while strengthening their knowledge and skills in GBV prevention and advocacy is paramount. Finally, integrating Kamëntsá men into addressing GBV is crucial to peacebuilding and community wellbeing. Such strategies are vital in addressing the deeply rooted challenges posed by GBV and patriarchy in the community.
What recommendations would you like to give to organisations that want to set up projects to promote MHPSS and peacebuilding?
Harriet: First and foremost, prioritise community participation throughout the project’s lifecycle, ensuring that activities are done with the community and for their benefit. Collaborate closely with existing community structures, including community leaders, cultural and religious leaders, youth groups, and women’s groups. Embrace an integrated approach that addresses both MHPSS and GBV-related issues, such as offering livelihood activities for women. Align your project activities with government and national plans, fostering sustainability and impact. Lastly, conduct comprehensive surveys and assessments to inform evidence-based planning and development, ensuring that your efforts are effective and responsive to the community’s unique needs.
Loly: Organisations looking to set up projects to promote MHPSS and peacebuilding in the Kamëntsá community should consider several challenges.
- Collaboration with indigenous-led initiatives like the Jajañ Corporation who are deeply connected to the community’s needs and cultural context.
- Empowering local communities, particularly women and girls, to actively participate in decision-making and community gatherings and ensure their voices are heard and concerns addressed.
- Cultural sensitivity and recognising the significance of preserving and understanding the Kamëntsá culture in promoting mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.
- Interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on intercultural knowledge and experiences, should be employed to address complex issues such as alcoholism and GBV.
- Capacity-building programmes, certification opportunities, and the creation of audio-visual materials to document the community’s history and experiences are also recommended.
- Offer long-term commitment for lasting positive impacts on mental health, psychosocial wellbeing, and peacebuilding within the Kamëntsá community.
