Exploring how men and women improve their relationships through participation in HIKA, a group-based, couples-focused IPV prevention program in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Group-based IPV prevention programmes use participatory learning to impart new information, encourage critical reflection on gender and power dynamics, and develop new skills. Understanding whether and how these programmes are internalised and acted upon can allow for programme designs to enhance facilitators of positive change, inform efforts to adapt and scale the programme, and understand the potential for sustained change. This paper presents a qualitative study that explored men’s and women’s perceptions, experiences, and learning from participating in HIKA, a group-based couples’ IPV prevention programme, together with facilitator experience. HIKA, a 22-session participatory curriculum, was adapted from the Indashykirwa couple’s programme for couples living in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Men and women described important shifts in the way they perceived and used power, conflict, violence, and communication. Despite some resistance and ongoing gendered roles, the programme’s group-based, couple-centred approach, underpinned by safe spaces, empathy-building exercises, and skills for managing power and conflict, demonstrated promise in encouraging new non-violent behaviours and strengthening relationships.