DEMOCRATICREPUBLIC OFTHE CONGO

UGANDA

RWANDA

BURUNDI

The Challenge Despite a global awakening spurred by movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp, progress toward gender equality remains painfully slow. Worldwide, one in three women will be sexually or physically abused in her lifetime. CARE’s PowerUp has the potential to change this.

The ProgramProven to cut rates of domestic violence in half in Rwanda, CARE will expand PowerUp across Africa’s Great Lakes region – Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda – where women face some of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world. By combining economic empowerment with community and household engagement, PowerUp drives changes at every level of society.

The Plan to ScaleWorking with world-class partners, PowerUp will mobilize CARE’s existing network of 2 million savings group members across the region and partner networks reaching thousands of communities. On-the-ground engagement will drive local change while media, edutainment and advocacy efforts will extend our reach and impact.

PowerUp: Reducing Domestic Violence Across Africa

The Case for ActionOne in three women will be sexually or physically abused in her lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner.

Up to 60% of women suffer from violence in the African Great Lakes region, where PowerUp is focusing.

Up to 50% of children who witness violence in their homes will perpetrate or experience violence later in life.

Opportunities to Support PowerUp

Charu Goyle, Associate Vice President, Foundation Partnerships, CARE USA151 Ellis Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

charu.goyle@care.org | care.org

February 2020

Funding Level Geographic Focus Illustrative Program Impact

$1 million

$5 million

$10 million

Implement in 1 country and support regional cross-learning

1-2 countries

2-3 countries

Up to 10,000 couples engaged, yielding reductions in domestic violence of >35%

Up to 50,000 couples engaged, yielding reductions in domestic violence of >35%

Up to 250,000 couples engaged, yielding direct reductions in domestic violence of >35% while influencing over 1M people to support women’s empowerment

Community Savings Groups

Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) model will empower members to

build economic security and increase women’s financial

independence.

Community Activism

Identifying and supporting community activists will

help reinforce the PowerUp message and change social norms across communities.

Media and Technology Campaigns. Media campaigns via radio, mobile phones, and community theater will help reinforce key messages and provide a platform for changemakers to reach national scale and impact.

Partnerships and Advocacy. Engage with government, the private sector, and regional bodies will support change in policies and programs, solidifying PowerUp’s gains.

Formal Financial Services

Supporting women’s access formal financial services will deepen economic gains and

women’s control over resources.

Couples Dialogues

Engaging VSLA member households in discussions that

allow them to reflect and change their behavior to promote

violence-free households that respect women’s rights and

gender equality.

For more information

Increasing Gender Equality and Women’s EmpowermentReduce Violence Against Women by Increasing Women’s Economic

Opportunity and Changing Gender Norms