Community program to prevent intimate partner violence in Malawi

What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls: Impact at Scale: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Effectiveness of a Community-mobilisation Intervention to Prevent Violence Against Women in Malawi - SASA! Together

Not applicable Interventional George Washington University · NCT06783400

This study is testing a community program in Malawi that aims to prevent intimate partner violence by empowering women and promoting gender equality.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment4800 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 49 Years
SexAll
SponsorGeorge Washington University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Blantyre)
Trial IDNCT06783400 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This program aims to prevent intimate partner violence (IPV) in Malawi by implementing a community-based approach that empowers women and addresses the root causes of violence. It utilizes two evidence-based models, SASA! Together and Moyo Olemekeza, to promote gender equality and behavior change within communities. The effectiveness of the program will be evaluated through a cluster randomized controlled trial, assessing its impact on social norms and the prevalence of IPV. The study is guided by the RE-AIM framework to ensure comprehensive evaluation and implementation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are women and men aged 18-49 who have been in an intimate relationship and reside in selected areas of Lilongwe or Balaka districts.

Not a fit: Patients who have never been in an intimate relationship or are outside the age range of 18-49 will not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce intimate partner violence and improve the rights and well-being of women in Malawi.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies utilizing community mobilization and gender-transformative approaches have shown success in reducing intimate partner violence, indicating that this approach is promising.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Women and men aged 18-49 who have ever been in an intimate (romantic) relationship.
* Living in selected Group Village Heads (GVHs) in Lilongwe or Balaka districts for at least a year. The specific Traditional Authorities (TAs) in Lilongwe are: Kalolo, Chimutu, Kabudula; The TAs in Balaka are: Msamala and Nyanyala.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Women and men younger than 18 years or older than 49 years old
* Women who have never had an intimate relationship.
* Not living in selected TAs and GVHs in Lilongwe or Balaka districts, or living in selected GVHs for less than one year
* Paid employees of the PKN programme (any element), including SASA! Together community activists who deliver the programme activities.

Where this trial is running

Blantyre

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Intimate Partner ViolenceNorms, SocialGender Inequitable Behaviorintimate partner violencegendersocial normscommunity mobilizationbehavior change
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.