Request for Proposal For Formative Research Study- Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (Tfgbv)

Tenders are invited for Formative Research Study- Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV) Closing Date: 19 Feb 2025 Type: Consultancy Who We Are Girl Effect is an international non-profit that connects girls to the resources and support she needs to overcome barriers, see themselves differently and unleash their full potential. We believe that the most powerful force to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty is GIRLS. When you connect GIRLS to what they need, unleash the limits communities set for them, and change how girls see themselves- they change the world. Thats the Girl Effect. Our approach redefines what girls think they can and should do. We do this by building digital and media technologies that girls want, trust and need.From chatbots and applications to chat shows and TV dramas, our approach uses modern technologies to reach girls where they are today. Our reach is 23 million and counting. We are girl centered. We engage girls through evidence based social and behavior change. We meet girls where they are today, in the spaces, on the platforms and channels they trust and love. We work with governments to transform systems to work for HER. We reach girls worldwide, where they areonline and offlineto support them at critical moments in life when they need to make choices about their health, education, and economic future. We use our expertise in behavior change science to motivate and equip girls with information and support to help them see a different future for themselves, act on those choices, and drive greater demand for the opportunities and services available to them. Chhaa Jaa in India, Tujibebe in Tanzania, Yegna in Ethiopia - are some of our youth brands. They exist across multiple channels - digital ( Meta, Google and other SM platforms), TV, radio, print and offline. Where required and relevant, we also use white label brands for specific campaigns. Girl Effect in India In 2019, Girl Effect launched Chhaa Jaa, a digital-first youth programme that helps girls in India build the confidence to make choices and changes in their lives - from accessing information about her body and services around her, to negotiating about education choices or whether to use contraception. Chhaa Jaa was designed keeping in mind adolescent girls between 17-19 years, currently in higher education, and accessible online via mobile whether girls own or borrow a mobile phone. Over the last four years, we have invested in setting up key online assets and infrastructure that can be leveraged to deliver programmes under a range of thematics for older adolescent girls. We have built a multi-product digital ecosystem of products - across broadcast and interactive features - that are social media-based and available to girls whenever they need it. This includes: Inspiring and enabling social and behavior change content on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube through Chaajaa A chatbot on Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp that allows girls to explore taboo topics in a safe 1:1 space and nudges them to connect her with health services called Bol Behen And a website aggregating youth-friendly services and is updated regularly with blog content. A girls-only Facebook group to experience social support and a sense of community Called BAK BAK Gang Background In India, increased internet and social media use has led to a rise in Technology-facilitated GBV (TFGBV). Cyber crimes against women increased by 11% in 2022, with significant rises in incidents involving transmission and publication of sexually explicit material. Limited digital literacy and increased online activity puts adolescents at greater risk of online GBV. According to a recent study, 15% of adolescents had faced at least one incident related to online sexual abuse or exploitation. TFGBV reinforces traditional gender roles; it is an extension of offline inequity, where the same inequalities that expose girls to offline violence also affect them online. This underscores the importance of not only responding to TFGBV and its consequences but also preventing it at a primary level. Prevention can be achieved by educating girls about online GBV, its various forms, impacts, and how to report it. Equally important is educating boys about TFGBV and their role in preventing its perpetration. This approach provides an opportunity to address gender inequalities early, teaching both girls and boys about violence, harmful gender norms, and their roles in promoting gender equity, both online and offline. To tackle the growing concern around TFGBV, Girl Effect seeks to develop a transformative intervention that will work with girls, boys and communities to address and alter the underlying gender norms and power dynamics that contribute to TFGBV. The program includes digital and offline components as well as a range of strategies with the ultimate aim of creating a more equitable, safe, and supportive online environment for girls in India. Objectives Through this program, Girl Effect aims to empower women and girls to learn, lead, and thrive in the digital world free from harassment and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Key objectives include: Enable Safe Digital Access for Girls: Equip adolescent girls and young women with digital literacy skills and knowledge of their rights. Increase Awareness of TFGBV: Build awareness and knowledge among girls, boys, parents, educators and community members on TFGBV and ensure their active participation in mitigating risks. Facilitate linkages to support services: Facilitate and enable service access through collaborations and partnerships with community-based organisations, government, police, legal and support services that have already established support systems and resources for survivors of online harassment and abuse. The Scope In doing so, Girl Effect is looking to commission a research agency to conduct the formative research to inform the impact strategy and creative approach towards the aforementioned objectives using robust qualitative research. The agency would be responsible for: Expert Consultations Conducting key informant interviews and expert consultations with specialists in gender and gender-based violence (GBV), as well as with police, legal professionals, girls, and parents, to gain insights into Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in India Identifying organizations engaged in addressing TFGBV and conducting remote consultations with them to assess digital safety and literacy concerns among adolescents in India Reviewing the programs implemented by these organizations and analyzing their approaches through a gender-transformative lens. Analyzing and compiling data from expert consultations, key informant interviews, and program reviews conducted with TFGBV experts, organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. Dipstick Research with Target Audience in Delhi and Mumbai Conducting primary research through on-the-ground data collection with adolescent girls and boys (aged 18-24) to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to technology facilitated gender based violence (TFGBV). Conducting primary research with parents of young girls (aged 9-17) through on-the-ground data collection to understand their awareness of TFGBV among adolescent girls, and their attitudes and practices when girls experience TFGBV and knowledge of solutions/ resources they can access. Undertaking comprehensive data analysis and reporting on the findings from primary research conducted with adolescent girls, boys, and parents of young girls. The suggested areas of enquiry for undertaking the dipstick research are: The current level of knowledge and perceptions among adolescent girls, boys and parents of young girls on technology facilitated gender based violence Attitudes towards technology facilitated gender-based violence among adolescent girls, boys and parents of young girls Experiences and measures taken by adolescent girls on technology facilitated gender based violence Barriers and motivations to seek services and redressal mechanisms when faced with issues of digital safety and/or technology facilitated gender based violence among adolescents Existing gaps in seeking services and redressal mechanisms when faced with issues of digital safety and/or technology facilitated gender based violence among adolescents The final output includes a consolidated report on findings from both expert consultations and dipstick research with adolescents and parents of young girls Deliverables The agency would also be responsible for: Providing a robust qualitative methodology for the primary research to be conducted in a quick turnaround time Gaining ethical approval for this study from the required bodies Advising on sample design within specification and agreeing on final design with Girl Effect Recruiting communities and participants according to the provided purposive sampling criteria Piloting of tools and refined tools, including debriefing and working sessions with Girl Effect to refine and finalize the data collection tools before the research Obtaining informed consent from all participants Managing all data collection on-field with support from the Girl Effect team Ensuring quality control and data management Full data analysis Full transcription of all qualitative data Final report answering the research questions To ensure all work is conducted according to the Girl Effect Girl Safeguarding Policy and an agreed safeguarding agreement A final debrief session with Girl Effect to present learnings from the final report Girl Effect will be responsible for the final sign-off of all steps involved in the above process Project Timelines Publishing Request for Proposal 6th February Proposal Submission 19th February Final Decision on Agency 24th February Contrac Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4132133/formative-research-study-technology-facilitated-gender-based-violence-tfgbv