Defence Online

The current contract for Foreign economic-aid-related services in Glasgow is projected to end on 12/4/2017 and may be available for re-tender.The current contract for Foreign economic-aid-related services in Glasgow included Addressing Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a top priority for the UK Government and DFID’s Ministerial team. While DFID is supporting targeted interventions to address VAWG in 29 country programmes, rigorous evidence on VAWG in South Asia is lacking. In response, DFID is looking to fund research on key evidence gaps on VAWG in South Asia. Up to two multi-country studies will be commissioned and the topics for these studies will be identified by the researchers and could include applied and operational research. The studies will be selected on the basis of their ability to demonstrate that they will fill an important evidence gap, generate new knowledge, are closely aligned to DFID’s priorities in the region, and will contribute to effective policy making in the region. This research will complement and make operational links with the centrally-funded £25million/5 year global What Works to Prevent Violence research and innovation programme which funds studies in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India Nepal, Pakistan as well as projects in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa.The purpose of the studies is to generate high-quality contextualised evidence which will inform the design and implementation of key policies and programmes to address VAWG in South Asia more effectively. The research is expected to benefit all development stakeholders and the key recipient of the research findings will be country governments, DFID and international organisations, such as the UN, and academics and NGOs concerned with issues related to VAWG. Research results and their wider policy and operational implications will be synthesised and effectively communicated to policy actors and practitioners working locally, nationally and internationally within the timeline of the project.