Sibling-Based GBV Prevention Program in Jordan And Niger to Support Adolescent Girls in Emergencies

In 2020, Mercy Corps and Women’s Refugee Commission piloted the Sibling Support for Adolescent Girls in Emergencies (SSAGE) curriculum in Northeast Nigeria. The SSAGE Toolkit represents a novel approach to gender-based violence (GBV) prevention due to its multi-level engagement framework within family structures, particularly working with older male siblings.The eight-person SIPA Capstone team was tasked with providing research insights into how Mercy Corps can adapt the curriculum for use in Syrian refugee communities in Jordan and refugee/internally displaced person (IDP) camps in Niger.

The team used background and primary research methodologies to learn more about the unique contexts of Jordan and Niger, as well as to learn more about the role of gender norms in these societies. Interviews were conducted with regional experts and persons with significant knowledge of the target refugee/IDP camps. Additionally, the Capstone team devoted significant portions of our research to exploring human-centered design (HCD) principles, as there has been sparse research on the use of HCD in humanitarian settings.

Through their research and analysis, the Capstone team found that HCD is a promising approach to program design and curriculum adaptation, but that there are limitations to using these tools in active conflict zones, areas with high levels of political instability, and in programs that seek to address and change entrenched societal norms and behaviors. The team argued that SSAGE Toolkit will have maximum impact only when and if it is adapted to meet the specific needs of target communities and tailored to the societies in which it is to be implemented. This process is possible only through direct coordination with the community and an eye to the unique challenges of individual humanitarian settings.