Beyond Criminal Justice: The Role of Empowerment and Communities of Practice in Addressing Violence Against Women and Girls
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70386/ijcpe.v1i1.19Keywords:
VAWG, violence, women, girls, empowerment, self-defenceAbstract
This paper explores the limitations of national government action to eradicate Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and advocates for a complementary, community-based approach to empower women and girls. Using national and international data, the paper highlights structural issues such as underreporting, inconsistent crime recording, and public mistrust in law enforcement. It presents a case study of the Femme Power programme by Blossom Training and Development, a grassroots initiative in West Yorkshire that combines self-defence, legal education, and trauma-informed support to empower women. The programme fosters a safe space for shared learning and peer support and emphasising the need for inclusive, intersectional approaches. Evaluation data indicates a significant increase in participants’ confidence and perceived safety, although more thorough evaluation is required to ascertain the long-term effects of the programme. The paper also examines the role of male allyship, social media movements. Recommendations include the establishment of a national quality mark for empowerment programmes, backed by a public body. A repository of best practices, and greater collaboration between public and third-sector organisations. The findings stress the importance of holistic, preventative strategies that empower women and engage communities in addressing VAWG.
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