Gender Transformative Parenting Programming in Emergency-Effected Settings and Populations: A Scoping Review

Background and purpose: There has been tremendous progress in building and promoting evidence-based practice around parenting programming in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In recent years, this best practice guidance has expanded to promote the inclusion of gender transformative parenting modules specifically. However, there remains a dearth of evidence examining the gender transformative parenting programmatic material that is pertinent in humanitarian settings and with forcibly displaced populations. Our review intends to fill this gap and outline future directions to investigate the effectiveness of gender transformative parenting programming in humanitarian settings. In order to build upon the existing evidence base and inform program content in humanitarian settings, our review has two primary aims: (1) examine how existing gender transformative parenting programmatic material addresses the unique circumstances of parenting in humanitarian settings, and (2) inform considerations of how to adapt existing gender transformative program content for humanitarian settings

Methods: This scoping review will examine how existing gender transformative programmatic material addresses the unique circumstances of parenting in humanitarian settings, reflect on transferability and adaptability considerations, and offer best practices for programming with key groups (including parents of children aged 0-10). Eligibility criteria for this study included parenting programs implemented in humanitarian settings or with forcibly displaced populations. Relevant materials were identified through searching four academic databases and reviewing reference lists from relevant publications, as well as requesting materials via an active ListServs of violence experts and reviewing grey literature.

Results: A total of 1,699 programmatic documents were reviewed. Drawing from both peer-reviewed and grey literature, eighteen programs met eligibility criteria, with six being only gender aware and an additional two being gender transformative. We are in the process of reviewing the necessary adaptations but expect to present findings focused on the extent that programming used gender transformative approaches to address violence, within and outside of the household, and considered humanitarian stressors and contextual considerations.

Conclusions and implications: Findings from this review can inform considerations of how to adapt existing gender transformative parenting program content for humanitarian settings, with a particular interest in address violence within the household. In particular, this review will support the development of programming for parents in humanitarian settings to holistically support families and address harmful gender attitudes and norms.