Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 21 Sep 2015
BACKGROUND
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has an estimated population of 71.2 million people, of which young people represent 46 percent. (PRB, Mid-2014). Although DRC has had a number of conflicts, the most severe conflict was the Second Congo war of 1998. Conflict in DRC has mainly being in the Eastern Region of the country. The war in DRC is complex and difficult to understand. It is instigated by a number of factors which include political disputes internally and externally with bordering countries such as Rwanda and Burundi; it is also fuelled by ethnicity and the need to gain control of land and its natural resources among other factors. As a result of these conflicts, there is an estimated 2.9 million internally displace people in DRC, of these, over 900,000 are in North Kivu which will be study focus area.
The on-going conflict has led to countless human rights violations. Humanitarian emergencies place populations, particularly women at increased risk of gender based violence. This in turns increases their vulnerability to contracting STI including HIV infections. In every emergency situation the magnitude of these vulnerabilities differ from country to country. While this variations exists, women and children bear the biggest burden during emergencies mainly because of their economic and social disposition. Sexual violence takes different forms; rape, gang rape, mutilation, sexual slavery, insertion of foreign objects through the vagina, mouth or anus. Women compared to men are the most likely to face sexual and gender based violence especially rape which is used as a weapon of war. Although rape has been identified as a contributing factor for contracting HIV, a study (Spiegel et al 2007) conducted in seven countries showed that there is insufficient evidence that rape increases HIV prevalence among displaced populations. Whereas this is the case, other studies, (Opolot, 2011), highlights ‘military conflict’, societal factors and traditional practices as factors that have weakened the position of women over the years and created an ideal medium for GBV. It goes further to show how stigma and discrimination associated with rape and HIV silences these women making it difficult for researchers to establish the link and ascertain the magnitude of the problem. Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) is cited as an important determinant of HIV. Although this is the case empirical research on the links between the two remain limited.
Based on UNAIDS 2012 estimates, DRC has a HIV prevalence of 1.1%. The prevalence of Syphilis was found to be 3.4% with almost equal distribution in respect to sex, location (Study on Syphilis among demobilized soldiers in Eastern Congo). Syphilis sero-positivity among women attending the ante-natal care clinic during 2011 was 4.2% (ranging from 5% in rural to 3% in urban) (Correlates of Syphilis sero-positivity and risk for Syphilis –associated adverse pregnancy outcomes among women attending antenatal care clinic in DRC). An estimated 390,000 people above the age 15 are living with HIV in DRC, of which women represent 230,000 of those living with the disease. Children below the age of 15 years account for a total of 88,000.
RELEVANCE
In a bid to understand the relationship between SGBV and STI including HIV, SPRINT seeks to conduct an exploratory study to assess the linkages between them. Further research is required to test the contribution made by other factors such as mobility, sexual patterns and interactions among other groups. This will allow the study to draw informed conclusions on the impact of SGBV on STI and HIV. This research is expected to help address the gaps in knowledge on the linkages of SGBV and STI including HIV. It will also generate a body of knowledge and perspectives of the same. This will serve as a foundation for effective policy and programming decisions made by IPPFAR on MISP Objective 3. It is also expected to establish elements necessary for resource mobilization. IPPF partners and donor will also benefit from the findings of this study to understand the links and help implement effective steps.
SCOPE OF WORK
The overall goal of the assignment is to review available and national data on SGBV and STI including HIV and conduct a selective engagement of key stakeholders to establish the relationship of the two. The study will be conducted in Goma in Eastern DRC and will cover selected refugee camps. The specific tasks of the assignment will include;
- To review existing literature on SGBV and STI including HIV to establish the link between the two
- To identify gaps in literature and address them through a study in DRC
- To conduct a survey on selected stakeholders and survivors
- Provide suggestions for more research if necessary
- Identify programmatic opportunities for interventions
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
- To understand and ascertain the link between sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) and STIs including HIV transmission in camps surrounding Goma, East DRC
The study will also seek to answer the following research questions;
- What the main causes of SGBV in refugee camps?
- What are the pre-disposition factors of SGBV
- What is the level of KABP of people in refugee camps in relations to SGBV and STIs including HIV?
- Are there interventions to prevent SGBV and support SGBV victims
METHODOLOGY
Generally, the study should review the existing literature to assess the information and gaps that exists on linkages between GBV and STI including HIV. Primary data will be collected through key informant interviews (KIIs) and FGDs. KIIs will be conducted with those treated for STI, those living with HIV, survivors of SGBV, service providers and key agencies, maintaining confidentiality and privacy. The consultant selected may be free to suggest any other methodologies that are suitable for this kind of study.
EXPECTED OUTPUTS / DELIVERABLES
The consultant will be expected to deliver outputs at specified times as indicated in the work plan.
- Inception report
- The study protocol
- Desk review report
- Final Report of the study - Full Report and abridged version
STUDY TIMELINE / CONSULTANT
The study will take 20 working days over a period of one month. Applicants for this consultancy should be bi-lingual (French and English). The selected consultant will work closely with the team at IPPF Africa Regional office.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
The research individual should submit:
i) A proposal; (a) Technical and (b) Financial
ii) A profile (CV) to provide details of experience on previous work done
iii) Qualifications
iv) A work plan.
How to apply:
The DEADLINE for submitting the research consultancy proposal is 21stSeptember 2015at 1700Hrs. All the above documentation to be submitted tohroffice@ippfaro.org