The Sexual Violence Research Podcast

S4E6 Field Building in Crisis - Sustaining the violence prevention sector in unprecedented times

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Episode notes

Around the world, organisations and activists working to end violence against women and violence against children are facing unprecedented threats, from political instability to shrinking civic space and economic strain. Most recently the devastating cuts to global development funding - particularly the closure of major donors like USAID - has sent shockwaves through the sector. For those who work in the field this is not just a funding crisis -  it’s a matter of survival, for prevention and response services, communities and, at times, for lives. 

So what can be done and where do we find hope in such challenging times? We are joined by South African human rights and social justice activist, Mark Heywood, and Dr Chay Brown, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Her Story, to discuss what it means to grow and strengthen our work in a time of crisis. How can we grow stronger, together? And how do we create a more collaborative, connected, and resilient ecosystem across different disciplines, movements, and sectors?

Your host is: Elizabeth Dartnall, Executive Director, Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI).

This episode’s guests are: 

  • - Mark Heywood, South African human rights and social justice activist

    - Dr Chay Brown, Co-founder and Managing Director of Her Story Consulting 


    • 🎧 Listen to learn:

    ➡︎ How recent crises have exposed the fragility of our field

    ➡︎ Why we need to move beyond silos and foster intersectional collaboration

    ➡︎ What it takes to sustain activism and research in times of political and economic turmoil


    ⚡Follow SVRI on Instagram.

    🌐Check out the SVRI website.

    🎥 Watch our film on YouTube.

    💬 Connect with the SVRI [email protected] and our host, Elizabeth Dartnall. 

    🎙️ An OG Podcasts Ltd production.


    Resources: 

     Please share new resources with us at [email protected].