‘Filling in the Picture: Research Priorities on Violence Against Women in the Asia and Pacific Region’ highlights the power of collaboration between researchers, activists, practitioners, policymakers and funders in the region, to pinpoint evidence gaps and identify strategic ways to deepen our knowledge and evidence to prevent VAW.
As part of the ongoing efforts to create regional adaptations of the Global Shared Research Agenda, The Equality Institute, in collaboration with an Advisory Group of researchers, activists, and practitioners across the Asia and Pacific region, developed the regional adaptation for Asia and Pacific, titled Filling in the Picture. The study is a starting point for strategic investment and reveals some important priorities for research on VAW in the Asia and Pacific region.
Methodology of the Research Agenda for the Asia and Pacific Region
The regional research agenda was co-created through a participatory process. First, an Advisory Group was formed to oversee and guide its creation, with members representing different countries from the Asia and Pacific region, and coming from diverse backgrounds as researchers, academics, practitioners, policymakers and activists with specific expertise in diverse and historically marginalised groups. Once established, the Advisory Group reviewed and provided feedback to the GSRA, and decided to proceed with a survey and focus groups.
The survey was translated into Bahasa, Mandarin and Thai. It was open for a 6-week period and contained 21 questions. After disseminating it widely through the networks, it received 85 complete responses, representing different identities, regions and expertise. Respondents were asked to rank GSRA research domains and the research questions for each domain in order of their importance for the region. In addition, open-ended questions provided space to identify issues and gaps specific to the Asia and Pacific context.
A focus group discussion was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Advisory Group members reviewed the survey findings and provided individual feedback.
Key findings of the Research Agenda for the Asia and Pacific Region
Respondents in the Asia and Pacific region top ranked Domain 3 in the GSRA, which focuses on improving existing interventions, and Domain 1, understanding VAW in its multiple forms. This suggests a focus on understanding the current context in the region and improving existing actions and current interventions before investing in research on new interventions and approaches. This may reflect concerns about the limited understanding of VAW in its multiple forms in the region.
Top ranked domain by type of respondent:
- Respondents from Asia – Domain 3: Improving existing interventions
- Respondent from the Pacific – Domain 1: Research to understand VAW in its multiple forms
- Researchers – Domain 2: Intervention research
- Practitioners – Domain 1: Research to understand VAW in its multiple forms
- Respondents from historically marginalised groups – Domain 1: Research to understand VAW in its multiple forms
Top 5 questions across all domains:
- What are some best practices for ensuring agility and adaptability of VAWG interventions, especially those working with marginalised women and girls or operating in complex contexts (Domain 3)? (Ranked 20th in GSRA)
- What types of interventions can effectively prevent multiple forms of violence, and why (Domain 2)? (Ranked 1st in GSRA)
- How can large-scale sector programmes be adapted to optimise their impact on violence prevention and response, particularly education, health, economic development, infrastructure and social protection programmes (Domain 3)? (Ranked 18th in GSRA)
- What methods can be used to measure the intersection and pathways between different types of violence, including polyvictimisation and intersections between VAW and violence against children (VAC) (Domain 4)? (Ranked 12th in GSRA)
- What types of interventions are most effective for preventing IPV (including ‘honour’-based violence) against women facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination (including age, poverty, disability, ethnicity, race, sexuality, etc.) (Domain 2)? (Ranked 2nd in GSRA)
Research questions prioritised by historically marginalised groups:
These are additional questions that were identified in the top 5 priority questions each domain by respondents from historically marginalised groups, missing from the overall top 5 questions.
- What are the causes and drivers of violence against LGBTQIA+ women (Domain 1)?
- How do conflict and fragility exacerbate the multiple forms of violence experienced by women and girls (Domain 1)?
- What types of interventions are effective in preventing IPV and other forms of violence against LGBTQIA+ people (Domain 2)?
- What kinds of faith-based or community-led VAWG prevention interventions can be adapted to different faiths, communities and regions effectively (Domain 3)?
Implications for the Field
The report demonstrated that the Asia and Pacific region has research priorities and identified research gaps that are distinct from the GSRA. It suggests a focus on using research to maximise the impact of current interventions.
Context-specific research was identified as a significant focus for the region, including responding to complex contexts, such as climate-induced migration, trafficking, political instability or religious institutional contexts.
The priority setting exercise also revealed a need for research that includes the lived experiences of marginalised groups, such migrant women and LGBTQIA+ communities, as well as under-researched forms of violence such as femicide and online sexual violence.
Finally, Filling the Picture also reveals an emphasis on linking research with policy and practice. This comprises exploring links between sectors and across disciplines, intersections between different forms of violence and responses, evaluating the journeys and impact of policies and legal frameworks on the prevention of VAW, and assessing how research can be used to advocate for effective government action.