Fact Sheet Template
Measuring Impact of Savings Groups: Improving Sexual Violence Survivors’ Social, Psychological and Economic Well-Being Many survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo experience high levels of distress and most live in extreme poverty—both exacerbated by the stigma faced in families and communities. To identify cost-effective and scalable interventions that improve the psychological, social and economic well-being of survivors, the International Rescue Committee and Johns Hopkins University (JHU) are collaborating on a rigorous impact evaluation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Background Gender-based violence (GBV) is recognized as a significant problem in the DRC, and much attention has been drawn to sexual violence more specifically in the country’s conflict-ridden eastern provinces. Recent reports indicate that sexual violence is perpetrated by both armed actors and civilians, with survivors often facing significant stigma within their families and the wider community. Access to services in Eastern DRC – both emergency and longer term care – remains a major challenge both due to lack of service availability as well as shame. These barriers mean that survivors of sexual violence sometimes never receive adequate care, and as a result of their trauma, many have problems completing their day-to-day tasks like caring for their families, earning or working, caring for themselves, and contributing to their communities. They also have high rates of mental health and social problems, withdrawal and rejection by family and community. The IRC has developed a holistic program to support sexual violence survivors’ healing, including psychosocial counseling, potentially life-saving medical care, legal advice, and reintegration into women’s groups. This approach has been largely successful; however, there remained a small number of survivors who still had high levels of symptoms.
Economic Interventions for Survivors Increased access to economic resources is very important for survivors because of their general economic vulnerability and frequent alienation from friends and family. The IRC developed economic programming centered on Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA). The VSLA model was developed to provide a system of community savings for people who cannot access banks or microfinance institutions. Self-selected groups of 15-25 members form independent associations where each member saves and contributes to a common pool of money. Members can apply for loans from the pool and pay back with interest. At the end of a cycle (usually 9 months), group members cash out and receive their savings plus proportional interest earned. A model based on trust among the members, the IRC sees VSLAs as an important tool with which to promote solidarity and social cohesion amongst women and as a way to improve economic functioning for survivors.
From Harm To Home | Rescue.org
Measuring Impact: Survivors’ Social, Psychological and Economic Well-Being (Cont’d)
2
Evaluation Design and Methodology In line with its commitment to implementing programs that are both evidence-based and evidence generating, the IRC and JHU are carrying out a rigorous impact evaluation of VSLAs with a randomized control trial. The IRC worked with local partners to identify survivors of sexual violence who had received case management and still experienced high levels of symptoms. In total, 301 research-eligible women joined 75 VSLAs (36 intervention groups and 39 control groups). To test the impact of VSLAs on sexual violence survivors, the IRC and JHU targeted survivors specifically while respecting the important self-selection principle of savings groups. The impact evaluation used both quantitative and qualitative data collection to compare mental health of sexual violence survivors at baseline, directly after the VSLA share-out, and 6 months after share-out.
Summary of Findings to Date Increased access to financial resources A total of $49,427 was shared-out among members, with members receiving an average interest of 43% on their savings. Throughout the intervention, 94% of members completed the VSLA cycle and 96% accessed loans. During qualitative interviews, participants reported being better able to manage their finances and starting or improving a small business, which in turn allowed them to pay for their children’s school fees, pay for medical care and access better nutrition. Improved psychological well-being While mental health symptoms decreased over time in both groups, the decrease in overall mental health symptoms was significantly greater for VSLA group members compared to control, as measured by the average symptom score for a series of 55 trauma symptoms, ranging in severity from 0-3. Daily functioning There was no significant difference in ability to complete daily tasks, such as farming or caring for children, between VSLA members and control, though both groups reported less difficulty over time.
Coming up Social functioning In qualitative interviews and focus groups, research participants emphasized positive changes in social functioning, especially related to solidarity with other VSLA members, social cohesion, and harmony and within families and communities. Further quantitative analysis will assess the impact of VSLAs on measures of social resources and social participation. Economic functioning Results are forthcoming on the impact of VSLAs on the participants’ household assets, food expenditures, and employment, VSLAs in combination with mental health intervention The IRC and JHU will also test the combined impact of a specialized mental health intervention called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) followed by integration in a VSLA. These results are expected by late 2013.
For more information, contact: Jeannie Annan, Director Research, Evaluation & Learning Unit International Rescue Committee From Harm To Home | Rescue.org
122 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10168-1289 (212) 551 3000
Economic Interventions for Survivors Increased access to economic resources is very important for survivors because of their general economic vulnerability and frequent alienation from friends and family. The IRC developed economic programming centered on Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA). The VSLA model was developed to provide a system of community savings for people who cannot access banks or microfinance institutions. Self-selected groups of 15-25 members form independent associations where each member saves and contributes to a common pool of money. Members can apply for loans from the pool and pay back with interest. At the end of a cycle (usually 9 months), group members cash out and receive their savings plus proportional interest earned. A model based on trust among the members, the IRC sees VSLAs as an important tool with which to promote solidarity and social cohesion amongst women and as a way to improve economic functioning for survivors.
From Harm To Home | Rescue.org
Measuring Impact: Survivors’ Social, Psychological and Economic Well-Being (Cont’d)
2
Evaluation Design and Methodology In line with its commitment to implementing programs that are both evidence-based and evidence generating, the IRC and JHU are carrying out a rigorous impact evaluation of VSLAs with a randomized control trial. The IRC worked with local partners to identify survivors of sexual violence who had received case management and still experienced high levels of symptoms. In total, 301 research-eligible women joined 75 VSLAs (36 intervention groups and 39 control groups). To test the impact of VSLAs on sexual violence survivors, the IRC and JHU targeted survivors specifically while respecting the important self-selection principle of savings groups. The impact evaluation used both quantitative and qualitative data collection to compare mental health of sexual violence survivors at baseline, directly after the VSLA share-out, and 6 months after share-out.
Summary of Findings to Date Increased access to financial resources A total of $49,427 was shared-out among members, with members receiving an average interest of 43% on their savings. Throughout the intervention, 94% of members completed the VSLA cycle and 96% accessed loans. During qualitative interviews, participants reported being better able to manage their finances and starting or improving a small business, which in turn allowed them to pay for their children’s school fees, pay for medical care and access better nutrition. Improved psychological well-being While mental health symptoms decreased over time in both groups, the decrease in overall mental health symptoms was significantly greater for VSLA group members compared to control, as measured by the average symptom score for a series of 55 trauma symptoms, ranging in severity from 0-3. Daily functioning There was no significant difference in ability to complete daily tasks, such as farming or caring for children, between VSLA members and control, though both groups reported less difficulty over time.
Coming up Social functioning In qualitative interviews and focus groups, research participants emphasized positive changes in social functioning, especially related to solidarity with other VSLA members, social cohesion, and harmony and within families and communities. Further quantitative analysis will assess the impact of VSLAs on measures of social resources and social participation. Economic functioning Results are forthcoming on the impact of VSLAs on the participants’ household assets, food expenditures, and employment, VSLAs in combination with mental health intervention The IRC and JHU will also test the combined impact of a specialized mental health intervention called Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) followed by integration in a VSLA. These results are expected by late 2013.
For more information, contact: Jeannie Annan, Director Research, Evaluation & Learning Unit International Rescue Committee From Harm To Home | Rescue.org
122 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10168-1289 (212) 551 3000
