Numerous programmes designed to prevent violence against women (VAW) have raised awareness and shifted attitudes about abuse, but far fewer have successfully reduced
violent behaviour. [1] This has led researchers and practitioners to explore whether and how behaviour change theories and approaches might be applied to support the development of more effective VAW prevention programmes. The nature of VAW, the contexts in which it occurs and the populations affected vary. Approaches to understand and address VAW therefore need to be flexible enough to respond to this diversity. Contemporary behavioural change theories do not assume humans are rational beings or that we always make decisions we know are best for us. Instead they encourage context-led analysis of the drivers of harmful behaviours in order to devise solutions to change those behaviours.[2]

There are many different theories about and
approaches to behaviour change processes,
but they all have a common focus on factors
that can hinder or enable behaviour change.
Understanding these factors can support the
design of more effective interventions and
strategies to change the targeted behaviours.
This brief is intended for practitioners
who are interested in applying behaviour
change approaches to develop effective
programmes to prevent and reduce VAW.
It proposes a five step process:
1. Identify the specific behaviour(s) of specific
actors that you are trying to change;
2. Understand the main drivers of the behaviour(s)
in the specific context;
3. Design interventions to address the drivers of
the identified behaviour(s);
4. Include strategies to reinforce and embed
behaviour change(s);
5. Monitor if and how the intervention(s) lead(s)
to the desired behaviour change(s). (From the document). Record #7425