GBV programming and Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) in South Sudan in the context of COVID19 -

Opportunities, challenges, and way forward

June 4, 2020

Introduction

What is CVA ?

• A tool for humanitarian programming, not an objective

• Using local markets and service providers to meet the needs of women and girls

• Transfer of resources directly into the hands of the people we serve in the form of:

Cash Vouchers

Picture: HRP 2020

Introduction

• Cash grants/transfers – providing people with money, with which they can buy what they need

• Cash for Work – paying people to work, usually on urgent public works, community assets, or projects that help to meet the needs of crisis affected populations

• Vouchers – giving people coupons that can be exchanged for goods or services at particular shops• Paper, e-voucher, mobile voucher

Picture: SNFI Cluster

Conditional Unconditional Restricted unrestricted

CVA Preconditions

Beneficiary needs

Cash already in use by target population

People cannot access food or income for basic needs

Protection related risks will not be amplified

Community and political acceptance

Community awareness and acceptance of cash

Political awareness and acceptance of cash

Market conditions

Functioning market regularly supplied to meet demand

Items needed to meet needs are locally available

Markets accessible (physical, safety, resources)

Operational conditions

Cash can be delivered safely and effectively

Functional and reliable payment systems

Programmatic expertise and operational capacity

Why do we need to consider GBV in CVA ?

1) Collective responsibility to address GBV

- Centrality of Protection in Humanitarian Action - All humanitarian actors must be aware of the risks of GBV and act collectively to prevent and mitigate the GBV risks as quickly as possible within their areas of operation.

- How does this apply to GBV and CVA actors ?

CVA actors as well as GBV actors can help inform a GBV risk analysis for CVA, but all humanitarian actors are responsible for awareness of GBV risks, mitigation strategies and adaptation of programs, regardless of their assistance modality or objective

Why do we need to consider GBV in CVA ?

2) Accountability to affected population

- Participation and inclusion in CVA - How about PWDs ? How can they be reached ?

- Communication – CVA comm on GBV referral pathways and access points to service

- Feedback and response - Need for regular audit of feedbacks + opportunity to link with GBV case management

- Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse

CVA and GBV Integration

INTEGRATION OF GBV RISK MITIGATION IN CVA

INTEGRATED PROGRAMMING STAND-ALONE GBV PROGRAMMING

How ? Ensuring that CVA (1) does not cause or increase the

likelihood of GBV; (2) proactively seeks to identify and

takes action to mitigate GBV risks in the environment and in programme design and implementation;

(3) proactively facilitates and monitors vulnerable groups’ safe access to services.

Livelihoods support programs that include CVA, have both economic and protection objectives, or are a means of contributing to the prevention or response to GBV through economic assistance. Include specific objectives, activities and indicators on GBV

Dedicated GBV programs that have specific objectives, activities and indicators for the purposes of advancing GBV prevention or response outcomes, which include a CVA component

Example Consultations with women and adolescent girls about the location, routes to/from and security provisions at cash machines or voucher distribution points

Livelihoods programs that aim to help crisis-affected persons improve their economic situation and prevent risky coping strategies that could lead to GBV

Case management to survivors of GBV includes medical and psychosocial care, and referrals to CVA when appropriate.

CVA program cycle

Why is it urgent to consider CVA in GBV programing especially during COVID19 times ?

o The disruption of livelihoods and ability to earn a living due to COVID19, will decrease access to basic needs and services, increasing stress on families with the potential to exacerbate conflicts and violence at home

o As resources become scarce at household level because of movement restrictions, women will be at greater risk for experiencing economic abuse as well as sexual exploitation and abuse

o As more restrictions are adopted to curb COVID-19, it might inadvertently trigger a rise in GBV. The case management to survivors of GBV may include referrals to CVA when appropriate including during COVID19 times

Overview of CVA in South Sudan

2013 2015 2017 2019

2014 2016 2018

Rejuvenation of Cash

and Markets WG as the

Inter-Agency CWG

Co-Led by WFP and

DCA

Establishment of Cash

Transfers and Market

WG

NORCAP Cash Deployment

CASHCAP Cash Expert Deployment

EOI for Change of 2nd Co-

Lead

CashCap CWG Coordinator

WFP and IOM as CWG Co-

Leads

CWG as Advisory Body to

ICCG

Some random cash projects

implemented

2020

Guidance on CTP

CVA and COVID-19

CVA commitments

CVA addendum

Cash and HRP

CVA Indicators

Cash will continue to be an expanding modality to respond to

the needs of the affected population, providing space for better

alignment between humanitarian and development actors.

Opportunities to integrate CVA in GBV program in South Sudan

• Presence of organizations implementing both CVA and GBV programming

E.g. CARE, PAH, Plan etc.

• Availability of 11 projects worth of USD 13.5 million integrating food security and livelihood, health, WASH, nutrition and Protection. Of which, GBV is also integrated to the projects as part of protection component and CVA is a cross cutting in the livelihood

• Presence of the GBV SC and Cash Working Group – as functional coordination structures to provide guidance and direction, share information and advocate for more integration

• The continuity of the CVA and GBV integration in post - COVID19 times

Challenges to integrate CVA and GBV

• Minimal / no integration between CVA and GBV programs before COVID19 times

• Lack of guidance note / technical briefs jointly prepared by GBV SC and CWG to member organizations in both coordination platforms

• Difficulty in terms of conducting face-to-face assessment with target beneficiaries during COVID19

• Lack of communication infrastructures / FSPs in deep field locations for CVA

Way forward on the next steps

• Joint advocacy for consideration of CVA as part of the tool during the implementation of the SSHF funded integrated projects

• Joint development of guidance note on how to integrate CVA in GBV programming in the context of South Sudan by GBV SC and CWG

• Sharing of information on operational presence of CWG and GBV actors in priority counties for 2020 SSHF R1 allocation and other locations

• Identification and support projects with CVA and GBV programs during COVID19 times

Reflection with question and answer