Gender-based violence (GBV) is a widespread human rights violation that affects individuals and communities in all humanitarian crises. This course provides humanitarian workers, local responders, and those engaged in emergency response with a foundational understanding of GBV in humanitarian contexts and the critical role they play in prevention and response efforts.

Through this course, participants will explore the root causes, consequences, and different forms of GBV, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). They will gain insights into why GBV is underreported, how it intensifies during armed conflicts, and the global and regional prevalence of GBV.

The course also emphasizes best practices for GBV prevention and response, including the six guiding principles of GBV programming, confidentiality and informed consent, and the "Do No Harm" approach. Additionally, participants will learn about community-based responses, including the Communities Care Programme, and strategies to empower affected populations in reducing the risks of GBV and supporting survivors.

To learn more about the efficacy of online learning and online learning at NextGenU.org please see “A Novel Integration of Online and Flipped Classroom Instructional Models in Public Health Higher Education,” (2014), BMC Medical Education, “Building Public Health Capacity through Online Global Learning,” (2018), Open Praxis, or on NextGenU.org’s publication page.

There are five micro-lessons to complete, which include:

1. Understanding Gender-Based Violence
2. Prevalence and Forms of Gender-Based Violence
3. Gender-Based Violence and Armed Conflicts
4. Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence
5. Supporting Community Responses to Gender-Based Violence

Each micro-lesson takes approximately 15-20 minutes and includes interactive activities and questions to reinforce key concepts. These activities are ungraded and designed to support active learning—participants can attempt them as many times as needed.

At the end of the course, participants must pass a scenario-based quiz that applies their learning to real-world humanitarian challenges. Upon successful completion, participants will earn a badge, recognizing their foundational knowledge in sexual and gender based violence.

Once you’ve passed the final exam, you will receive a badge from NextGenU.org and our course’s co-sponsoring organizations. We keep your personal information confidential, never sell any of your information, and only use anonymized data for research purposes. Also, we are happy to report your testing information and share your work with anyone (your school, employer, etc.) at your request.

Engaging with this Course:

You can enroll in this course or  browse this course for free for personal enrichment; there are no requirements.

To obtain a badge, a learner must successfully complete:

• All the reading requirements
• All quizzes and pass with a 70% with unlimited attempts
• All activities
• The final exam
• The self and course evaluation forms

NextGenU.org is happy to provide your institution with

• A link to and description of the course training so that they can see all its components, including the cosponsoring universities and other professional organization cosponsors;
• Your grade on the final exam;
• Your work products (e.g., case study activities), and any other required or optional shared materials that you produce and authorize to share with them; 
• Your evaluations -- course and self-assessments;
• A copy of your badge, along with the co-sponsoring universities and other organizations listed.

Next Steps

• Take the short knowledge pre-test. It allows us to assess various aspects of the course itself.
• Complete the registration form.
• Begin the course with Lesson 1: Understanding Gender-Based Violence
• In each lesson, read the description, complete all required readings and any required activity, and take the corresponding quizzes.

Disclaimer: This content is designed to enhance your study; we cannot guarantee that the successful completion of these materials will enable you to work in your place of residence as regulations vary by location. If you plan to practice using your new knowledge, to ensure safety and compliance with your local laws, you must successfully complete a program of study approved by the government and relevant local regulatory agencies in your place of practice. 

NextGenU.org does not directly confer academic degrees or guarantee that learning institutions will accept NextGenU.org coursework for credit.