Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative – Boston.gov

Organizational Mandate and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Mission Statement Analysis

The organization’s mission is to establish an inclusive and equitable framework for the prevention of and collective response to gender-based violence. This mission directly supports several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The primary focus on preventing and responding to domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence is a core component of Target 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls. The mission’s commitment to challenging patriarchy reinforces this alignment.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By prioritizing support for marginalized communities—including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrants, incarcerated individuals, persons with disabilities, and the unhoused—the organization directly addresses Target 10.2, which calls for the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of status. The mission’s goal to challenge systemic inequities such as racism is central to this SDG.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The creation of a trauma-informed, equitable environment contributes to building peaceful and inclusive societies (Target 16.1). Advocating for accessible resources and challenging systemic oppression supports the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The provision of resources that aid in the healing of survivors of violence directly supports Target 3.4, which seeks to promote mental health and well-being.

Vision Statement Analysis

The organizational vision outlines a future for the greater Boston area that is rooted in principles of safety, empowerment, and universal access to support, reflecting the long-term objectives of the SDGs.

1. Universal Safety and Empowerment: The vision for a region where every person experiences safety and empowerment aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), particularly in making human settlements safe and inclusive, and SDG 16, which aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence.
2. Access to Healing and Thriving: Ensuring access to the support and tools needed to heal from gender-based violence and thrive is a practical application of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), moving beyond treatment to foster holistic well-being for all citizens.
3. Equity for Targeted Populations: The specific emphasis on those targeted by systemic inequities ensures that progress towards a safe and thriving community is measured by the well-being of its most vulnerable members, a foundational principle of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article’s mission and vision statement directly addresses and connects with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on equality, justice, and well-being. The primary goals identified are:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality: This is the most prominent SDG, as the article’s core mission is the “prevention of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence” and supporting survivors, which are central tenets of achieving gender equality.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article explicitly states its goal to challenge “systemic inequities, including patriarchy, racism, and all forms of oppression.” It also emphasizes support for marginalized communities, including “BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+ folks, women, girls, young people, immigrants, incarcerated folks, and those with disabilities and/or currently unhoused,” which directly aligns with the goal of reducing inequalities.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: By striving to create an “inclusive, trauma-informed, and equitable environment” and prevent violence, the article connects to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies. Advocating for resources and support for survivors is a form of promoting access to justice.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be pinpointed:

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.” The article’s mission for a “collective response to and prevention of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence” is a direct reflection of this target.
• Target 5.1: “End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.” The mission to challenge “patriarchy, racism, and all forms of oppression, that perpetuate gender-based violence” aligns with ending systemic discrimination.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The article’s vision for a Boston where “every person, particularly those targeted by systemic inequities, experience safety, empowerment” and its specific focus on supporting diverse and marginalized groups directly contributes to this target.
• Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome…” The organization’s work in “advocating for and supporting the provision of culturally responsive and linguistically accessible resources” is an action aimed at ensuring equal opportunity for healing and support.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The fundamental mission to prevent “gender-based violence” is a direct contribution to reducing violence overall.
• Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The specific mention of supporting “girls, young people” connects the mission to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article, being a mission statement, does not provide quantitative data but implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress:

Indicators for SDG 5 Targets

• Implied Indicator for Target 5.2: The article implies measuring the prevalence of gender-based violence and the effectiveness of support systems. Progress could be measured by the number of survivors who receive support and the availability and accessibility of culturally responsive and linguistically accessible resources, as mentioned in the mission.

Indicators for SDG 10 Targets

• Implied Indicator for Target 10.2: The focus on specific marginalized groups implies an indicator related to inclusion. Progress could be measured by the proportion of individuals from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and other vulnerable communities who access the organization’s services and report feeling safe and empowered.

Indicators for SDG 16 Targets

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.1: The goal of preventing violence implies a need to track its incidence. A relevant indicator would be the reported incidence rates of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence in the community served.
• Implied Indicator for Target 16.2: The support for “girls, young people” suggests an indicator focused on this demographic, such as the number of young survivors who access healing resources through the organization’s advocacy.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: boston.gov