In 2014, the RME unit recruited Thabani Nyoni, a masters student from the University of California Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare to conduct an independent research study on our community mobilisation efforts. Thabani assessed the extent to which Sonke’s community mobilisation through community action teams (CAT) results in positive behaviour change and community activism among CAT members. His study was designed as a comparative evaluation of Sonke’s Refugees Health and Rights programmes in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The research findings indicate that Sonke’s community mobilisation approach increased CAT members’ knowledge, understanding and acceptance in the following areas:
- HIV/AIDS and reduction of risky behaviour;
- gender relations, family relationships and violence (partner and family);
- sexual behaviour and condom use; and
- community activism/collective actions.
Additionally, Sonke’s community mobilisation efforts created social networks of solidarity and support within CAT teams.
These findings were reported at the International Meeting on Community Mobilisation and Social Accountability for Gender Justice, Health and Human Rights that Sonke convened in South Africa in November 2015.
For a list of research articles, many of which have been published in top-tier, peer-reviewed scientific journals, that highlight our theoretical and applied contributions towards gender equality and social justice, head here.
