In June, we had a series of blogs published as a precursor to our online panel discussion on violence and development in Central America. This series was prompted by research for InnovATE thematic work on rural youth – read here more in our publications!

• Gender-based Violence in Central America Requires a Cross-Sector Response This post from Paige Castellanos of Penn State highlights the problem of gender-based violence in Central America, particularly for women in agriculture. She shows some examples of program interventions and concludes that livelihood and agricultural production projects should consider gender-based violence when creating and implementing programs.
• Cross-Sector Approach Needed for Violence Mitigation and Development Success in Central America This post from Rebecca J. Williams of the University of Florida describes the widespread issues of violence and the effect on development, including AET projects. She posits that a collaborative, cross-sectoral approach is necessary to end violence and achieve development goals.
• Violence in Central America: Not Just an Urban Issue Using some of her dissertation research, Rebecca J. Williams of the University of Florida, shows that violence in Central America affects rural areas differently but just as significantly.