Table 1.

Stepping Stones and Creating Futures theory of change

Interventions	Creating futures		Stepping stones
Overall result	REDUCED VAWG AND OTHER OUTCOMES
Hypothesised effect	Greater engagement in income generating activity gives women more social power and enhances men’s selfworth		Critical reflection methodology challenges acceptance of patriarchy, opens doors to more respectful masculinities and more assertive femininities, all leading to less VAWG			Empowerment overall and better relationships enhance mood and reduces substance abuse		Empowering methodology and group work combined with communication skills improves relationships and handling of disagreements
Required intervention elements	Life skills intervention to assist income generation or return to education		Focus on building and understanding of gender equity and tackling VAWG					Building communication skills combined with gender equity
Amenable risk and aggrevating factors	Low economic power	Low education	Masculinities predicated on dominance over & control of women	Women’s acceptance of patriarchal dominance	Ingrained acceptability of use of VAWG	Depression	Men’s substance abuse	Poor relationship skills (esp.over conflict)
MEN AND WOMEN
Problem statement	One third of South African women experience VAWG in their lifetime and this is higher in some local areas. The problem is driven substantially by the low status and power of girls and women, and social norms related to masculinity which emphasise dominance and control over women. In informal settlements the situation is exacerbated by very high youth unemployment and generally low levels of education (nationally 60% of learners fail to reach matric).