Kenya Gender-Based Violence Prevention Program Profiled in Stanford Medicine Magazine

Informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya, where Stanford researchers are evaluating a gender-based violence prevention program.

Stanford Medicine Magazine profiles the work of Drs. Clea Sarnquist and Mike Baiocchi, in preventing sexual assault in Nairobi in their Summer Issue, now online

Their cluster-randomized trial is examining the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention that combines self-defense skills and empowerment in preventing sexual assault among young adolescents living in the informal settlements of Nairobi. Ihe largest study of a self-defense based program for violence prevention ever carried out.

Previous research published by the Stanford Gender-Based Violence Prevention Collaborative demonstrated the effectiveness of the intervention among older adolescents. The Stanford researchers also demonstrated that a similar intervention improved attitudes and behaviors related to gender-based violence among boys living in the same environment. 

This research was recognized for its innovation by the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls Program, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DfID).