Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the GBVIMS?

The Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) is a data management system that enables those providing services to GBV survivors to effectively and safely collect, store, analyze, and share data related to the reported incidents of GBV.

2.   Why is the GBVIMS necessary?

The GBVIMS was developed to respond to a need in humanitarian settings for safe and effective data collection by service providers.  The GBVIMS provides a vehicle to ensure that service providers are respecting client confidentiality, obtaining client consent to share information, collecting data that is comparable across agencies and contexts, establishing protocols for sharing de-identified data, and obtaining information that can inform programming, resource allocation, and advocacy efforts. Read Getting Data Right (page 24) in Interaction's MD Magazine

3. What are the GBVIMS tools?

The GBVIMS is made up of four tools: the Intake and Consent Form, Incident Classification System, Incident Recorder, and the Information Sharing Protocol Template

4. What does the GBVIMS cost?

While there are no costs associated with getting the GBVIMS (orientation, tools, and an individual consultation are free!), implementing organizations/agencies will have to commit resources such as staff time and expenses for training, maintenance and monitoring to ensure the system is implemented well.

5. Where is the GBVIMS implemented?

The GBVIMS has already been implemented in agencies in Burundi, Chad, Central African Republic, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Yemen.  It continues to be rolled out more broadly.

6.  Why should my organization implement the GBVIMS?

The GBVIMS is a tool to help service providers and coordinating agencies achieve best practices in data collection.  Through the tools that make up the GBVIMS, organizations can adhere to the following recognized best practices:

  • GBV individual case data should not be gathered in situations where services to survivors are not available; services must be available to GBV survivors if data is going to be gathered from them
  • GBV survivors’ confidentiality must be protected, and survivors must formally consent for their information to be shared
  • GBV intake forms should not be shared outside of the context of referral
  • GBV data should be kept securely in locked cabinets, with passwords to protect files and only shared on a need-to-know basis
  • GBV data sharing protocols or agreements should be in place between organizations that share GBV data, which explains how data is shared with whom, and for what purposes

7.  What are the steps gain access to the GBVIMS tools and to implement the GBVIMS?

  1. Review the Learn More page, Tools page, FAQ , and other resources available on the website.
  2. Contact the GBVIMS Inter-Agency Coordinator at gbvims@gmail.com.
  3. Participate in a brief consultation with the Inter-Agency Coordinator to explore how the GBVIMS may be of benefit to your organization for programming and advocacy, given the specific context. The consultation will also allow the Inter-Agency Coordinator to identify other organizations providing services to GBV survivors for whom the GBVIMS may also be of benefit.
  4. If the context and your organization's programming seem like a good fit for the GBVIMS, a member of the GBVIMS Global Team will guide you through an assessment process, which may be extended to other GBV service providing organizations. This assessment will determine whether your organization, and others, meets the minimum criteria for a GBVIMS roll-out.
  5. The GBVMS Global Team member will help you complete a short report based on the assessment and submit it to the Steering Committee to confirm your participation in the GBVIMS Roll-Out and decide what type of roll-out is most appropriate for your organization and others.

The purpose of this process is three-fold.  First, this allows the Steering Committee to keep track of where the GBVIMS is being implemented.  Second, it initiates a discussion between your organization and the Steering Committee to determine whether the GBVIMS is appropriate for your context.  Third, it ensures that your organization will have access to the Steering Committee for technical support and the necessary resources for implementing the GBVIMS.

8.  What happens in the consultation and how does this help with implementation?

In the consultation, you will be invited to engage in a collaborative planning process.  During this step, organizations/agencies will work with the GBVIMS Team to develop a plan, gain access to all the GBVIMS tools, and be provided access to the expertise of the those who have already implemented the GBVIMS.

9.  How do I get more information?

10. Is the GBVIMS right for my organization/agency?

  • Does your organization work in a humanitarian setting?
  • Does your organization provide services such as case management, health, or psychosocial services for survivors of gender-based violence?
  • Does your field office document services provided? Do you keep client case files?
  • Does your organization provide services to at least 50 survivors each year per country program?
  • Does your organization have the technical capacity and staff available to implement a data management system?
  • Is your organization interested in using data to inform program design, complete reports, and support advocacy efforts?
  • Is your organization concerned about client protection and data collection?

11. How does GBVIMS data work with other types of GBV data?

The Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) collects one type of data, service-based data. While this data is integral in informing prevention, response, and coordination activities, other types of data are also needed to obtain a more comprehensive picture of gender-based violence. These different types of data all inform the greater humanitarian response to gender-based violence. Read the resources page for more information about other sources of data and case studies from the Linking Data Analysis with Programming series.

Latest news and updates

July 29, 2021

New Resources: GBVIMS+ Case Management Companion Guide: Now Out!

The GBVIMS+ Case Management Companion Guide is designed to accompany the GBVIMS+ User Guide and highlight the forms, features, and functionalities in GBVIMS+ that facilitate GBV case management service provision, supervision, including remote supervision, and monitoring quality of GBV case management services. Access the GBVIMS+ Case Management Companion Guide here

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July 26, 2021

Stories from the field: GBV Case Management Capacity Building in the Gambia.

Check out the latest update from the rollout of the GBV Case Management Capacity Building Initiative in the Gambia!

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February 5, 2021

COVID-19 Guidance on Remote GBV Services Focusing on Phone-based Case Management and Hotlines OUT NOW!!!

The COVID-19 Guidance on Remote GBV Services Focusing on Phone-based Case Management and Hotlines is OUT NOW!!! Through the GBV Area of Responsibility Helpdesk, GBV responder organisations and agencies International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Trócaire, Norwegian Church Aid, Plan International, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNHCR came together to develop this Guidance to assist GBV responders […]

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Contact GBVIMS

Email us [FR & EN]
SKYPE: gbvimshelp [en] • gbvimsaide [fr]

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