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Dear VPF Friends,
Welcome to the Violence Prevention Forum newsletter. On a bi-weekly basis we will be sharing research, resources, upcoming events and opportunities. We hope you find this a useful resource.
For any resources and events you'd like to share in this newsletter or queries, contact vpf@issafrica.org.
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Webinar: Online parenting support, helping millions of caregivers prevent violence
Evidence shows that childhood experiences shape adulthood. Exposure to violence or adversity in childhood, like family abuse, increases risks of dropping out of school and becoming a victim or perpetrator later in life, perpetuating the cycle of hardship and violence. Parenting plays a vital role in breaking these cycles, but it can be lonely and challenging. Parenting support is now easily accessible through online parenting support apps and chatbots.
This seminar will showcase how online parenting support empowers parents and the lessons it offers on reaching caregivers at scale in the digital age.
Date: 27 August 2025
Time: 10:00- 11:30 (GMT+2)
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Webinar: Parenting in Africa - challenges, innovation & opportunities
Join the Global Parenting Initiative (GPI) for an engaging and thought-provoking panel discussion on parenting across the African continent. This webinar will bring together leading voices in research, policy, and practice to explore how families are supported in diverse African contexts.
From cutting-edge parenting programmes to the everyday realities caregivers face, the panel will delve into emerging trends, cultural considerations, and the innovative solutions shaping the future of parenting in Africa.
Whether you’re a policymaker, researcher, or simply passionate about family wellbeing, this conversation will offer valuable insights and a chance to connect with others working to support children and caregivers across the continent.
Date: 26 August 2025
Time: 15:00 - 16:15 SAST |
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Workshop: A tool for costing early childhood programmes
Join this informative webinar with Dr. Emily Gustafsson-Wright from the Brookings Institution to learn how the Childhood Cost Calculator (C3) can help unlock more and better funding for Early Childhood Care and Education by supporting implementers and policymakers in collecting and analysing essential cost data.
Date: 9 September 2025
Time: 16:00 EAT(GMT+3)
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Webinar: Peacebuilding in Somalia
Join Tales of Turning in this insightful webinar to discover key findings from a digital peacebuilding project piloted in Somalia. This initiative uses cutting-edge data analyses to gain a deeper understanding of hate speech and mis/disinformation in Somalia. Big data is collected and analysed to inform innovative interventions.
Next, grass-roots organisations are trained to use these insights to facilitate digital dialogue that curtails misinformation/disinformation and hate speech online. Additionally, key stakeholders are trained to use social media to amplify messages of peace in their communities. The aim of this pilot was to create a sustainable model for digital peacebuilding in Somalia that can be scaled for increased impact and applied to different contexts.
Date: 16 September 2025
Time: 18:00 SAST
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Breathing Room: Practising organisational healing in the everyday
Our organisations can serve as both melting pots and boiling pots. They can be spaces where individuals feel safe, seen, and connected, fostering a sense of belonging and growth. However, they can also become environments where unresolved historical and collective trauma lead to discrimination, microaggressions, conflict, and re-traumatisation.
We can resist these negative impacts by building solidarity, fostering allyship, and implementing violence prevention strategies within our daily organisational practices. Achieving this requires conscious strategies, dedicated time, and intentional focus on the essence of our organisations and the everyday healing process. Without such efforts, we risk being overwhelmed by the emotional traumas of oppression and control.
Join Hands On and Wellbeing Architects for a 6-part discussion series that explores practical strategies, tools, and wisdom drawn from past and present struggles. Our presenters will include voices from Palestine, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Papua, South Africa, and England.
Dates: 3 September - 12 November 2025 (every second Wednesday)
Time: 18:00 - 20:00 (SAT) |
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Training: Trauma-informed care for children who have experienced abuse, a practical guide for helping professionals
Are you working with children who have experienced abuse?
Jelly Beanz is offering a free, CPD-accredited online course designed for professionals supporting children who have experienced abuse. This 10-lesson programme, accompanied by a practical guide, equips you with evidence-based strategies to respond to trauma with care and confidence.
Developed with the South African context in mind, the course explores the impact of trauma on children and provides practical tools for creating safe, supportive environments.
Training closes: 31 August 2025 |
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Brief: Integrating Violence Against Children and Gender Based Violence prevention into national education systems
This Practice-Based Learning Brief from the What Works II Programme highlights key lessons for integrating violence against children (VAC) and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention into national education systems. Drawing on insights from grantees and partners, it emphasises strategies that make prevention efforts both effective and sustainable.
The brief identifies five essentials for success: working in close partnership with government, developing relevant and adaptable curricula, supporting teachers as change agents, engaging parents and communities, and using monitoring and evaluation to strengthen programmes and influence policy.
Together, these lessons point toward practical pathways for embedding VAC and GBV prevention into schools at scale, ensuring safer learning environments for children and young people.
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