My primary project was to write a report on the violence against women and girls (VAWG) sector, mapping out key primary prevention approaches and policy strategies. This report would then be used to inform the organisation's future advocacy. To support this, I would analyse testimonies from survivors of sexual violence highlighting the organisation’s grass-roots values. Other tasks involved analysing survey results and recording feedback from primary school students. This was an exciting way to apply my social research skills in a practical setting and propose interventions that could have a lasting impact.  

Challenges

This placement was an important opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and develop as a leader. As someone who did not have much previous experience in the VAWG sector, the main challenge I faced was being introduced to such an expansive area. I found that taking an incremental approach was very helpful in slowly immersing myself into the project I would be exploring further in the next few weeks. 

For example, I began by conducting a broad overview of the sector, identifying the main strategies taking place such as supporting survivors through helplines and services, launching awareness campaigns, providing education in schools or workplaces and working with perpetrators. This allowed me to gain a general understanding of the state of VAWG before I began prioritising my research specifically on primary prevention. Again, I sought to start with a broad mapping of prevention initiatives, before narrowing them down to 4 categories that I would discuss in my report. After building on my previous base knowledge from studying sociology and from my own independent research, I felt much more confident in writing a comprehensive report about primary prevention in the VAWG sector. 

With this, I had also never written a policy research report before. I was unsure of the standards around the right structure or tone which gave me a sense of pressure when I was tasked with delivering such an important document. However, regular check-ins and constant guidance allowed me to ensure I was on the right track and able to elaborate on the most relevant information. 

I was most nervous in the days leading up to my final presentation for the team. Again, I began to feel overwhelmed due to the amount of details I had to recall for each section but with revision, presentation practice and support from the team, I regained confidence and felt more prepared with delivering my findings. 

Taking these experiences into the future, I have learned to not hesitate taking advantage of the expertise of the team and working closely with my supervisor to ensure I am engaging effectively with the brief of the role. At the same time, I feel more empowered to balance collaboration with independent proactivity. I would say the most useful skill I learned would be public speaking as this will be instrumental in any role where I will be required to personally present my deliverables to a group I am managing, or to senior team members in an articulate, coherent and credible way.

Learnings

Shadowing workshops in primary schools gave me first-hand insights into the challenges of delivering educational programmes to young pupils. These included difficulties maintaining the attention of students as well as a lack of contribution from school staff. Importantly, I learned about interesting strategies that are relevant, appealing and accessible to young people such as using YouTube thumbnails as a way to teach critical media literacy skills. 

Through this project I also learned about financing in the charity sector, gaining new understandings of the role of sources such as the government, foundations and high net worth donors. It was particularly interesting to see how these grants are being used to expand EI’s initiatives such as revamping the survivor safespace. 

Having explored the theme of masculinities for independent projects such as my magazine and blog, I was fascinated to deepen this knowledge through my research of the VAWG sector. I particularly enjoyed applying my conceptual understanding of masculinity based on theories of gender to practical approaches engaging boys and men. 

Highlights

Having enjoyed the data component of my university course, I was excited to assist with various social research projects. Sitting in on interviews to write notes, collating survey data and conducting a content analysis of survivor testimonies was a great opportunity to practice my qualitative and quantitative social research skills in a new area.

I also liked participating in brainstorming sessions. While I wasn’t able to contribute significantly, I found it interesting to observe and hear about different insights around how EI’s facilitation and parent engagement approaches can be improved. 

Most of all, it has been a pleasure to be part of EI’s close-knit team during my placement. I immediately felt welcome and it was really refreshing to see everyone act not just as co-workers but also as friends. Being the new-comer, I was grateful to receive constant guidance, support and insights throughout the project and participating in activities like the sportsday made the placement even more enjoyable.

Ultimately, my placement with Everyone’s Invited was a highly transformational and rewarding opportunity to develop my leadership while meaningfully supporting a social justice-oriented organisation. Reflecting on the work I have completed, I am extremely proud of the contributions I have made and the amount I have learned along the process. Most of all, I finished with a greater appreciation for the value of resilience as a good leader is not someone who can simply walk through obstacles with ease, rather it is someone who acknowledges their vulnerabilities, seeks support when needed, and can overcome challenges with determination in spite of struggle. 

Legacy

My research into the VAWG sector identified prominent international trends in primary prevention action such as the development of early sex education curriculums and community-based programmes that involve a diverse range of stakeholders. Importantly, it also exposed some gaps and potential challenges when implementing particular strategies, especially projects involving boys, fathers, and male caregivers. My report synthesised contemporary issues surrounding VAWG and evidence-based violence reduction approaches which EI could potentially advance in the UK.

Drawing from my background in sociology, I stressed that no matter the projects the organisation end up undertaking, a conceptual understanding of the inextricability between individual behaviour and structural factors must constantly be applied if sustained systemic change is to be achieved. It was heartwarming to learn that a team member has already began using this framework in their work along with the concepts I had discussed. I was initially skeptical of how much of an impact I could have after six weeks and as a student who had freshly completed their first year of university. But conducting a comprehensive evaluation of global interventions and research literature allowed me to propose policy recommendations that would guide EI's long term strategy.