128: Building Staff Capacity in Participatory Methods for Gender-Based Violence Research

Our poster explores the role of participatory research methods (PRMs) in building staff capacity for effective data collection on gender-based violence (GBV). As an international NGO, Women for Women International (WfWI) has utilized PRMs in its recent work in gathering data from vulnerable women in post-conflict settings, particularly in contexts where low literacy, stigma, and fear of retribution present significant challenges. The poster will detail major projects where PRMs were employed to ensure ethical, safe, and culturally appropriate data collection while maintaining confidentiality. Through training workshops and collaboration with frontline and partner staff, WfWI successfully adapted PRMs to assess local contexts, social norms, and evaluate program outcomes. Our poster will share insights, methods, and lessons learned. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of PRM’s practical application in sensitive research contexts and its impact on staff capacity building.