In Her Shoes: Toolkit for Reflecting on Violence against Women in Sub-Saharan Africa

Developed by the GBV Prevention Network in collaboration with over 100 network members in 2011, In Her Shoes is an interactive, educational tool designed to raise awareness about the day-to-day reality for women experiencing violence and encourage activism among service providers and community members. The toolkit comprises a handbook, personal stories, and station cards (illustrating different steps/ situations women face) which take participants through an exercise allowing them to walk in the shoes of women who are experiencing violence. The exercise also provides space for rich discussion about violence against women, as well as a space for brainstorming about how to better support women and prevent violence.

The toolkit includes 10 stories of real women who experience violence. Participants move through the stories in pairs as if they are walking "in the shoes" of the women experiencing violence, making choices along the way to seek help or support. This interactive exercise allows for participants to come face-to-face with some of the challenges and obstacles women experience. After the exercise, the facilitator will moderate a group discussion to further explore key themes, issues, and reactions of participants. The exercise concludes a brainstorming session during which participants think about how they can take action to support women experiencing violence and how they can work to prevent violence against women.
The In Her Shoes toolkit handbook contains the following chapters:

• What is In Her Shoes?
• Violence Against Women Handout
• How to Use In Her Shoes
• Preparing for In Her Shoes
• Facilitating In Her Shoes
• Walking In Her Shoes
• Discussing In Her Shoes 01-01
• Acting on In Her Shoes
• Responding to Violence Against Women Handout
• Preventing Violence Against Women Handout
• Adaptation Process & Acknowledgements