Abstract
Gender-based violence constitutes a priority public health problem that requires preventive strategies with community participation. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the scientific evidence on community interventions aimed at preventing gender-based violence and promoting the well-being of women in vulnerable situations. The study was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines through the review of studies published between 2020 and 2026 in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, SciELO, Redalyc, and Latindex. Fourteen original studies with experimental, quasi-experimental, mixed, and qualitative designs were included. The results made it possible to organize the evidence into four levels of intervention: community education and awareness, empowerment and strengthening of support networks, transformation of social norms, and institutional strengthening. It is concluded that multilevel interventions have greater potential to reduce violence and promote well-being, constituting a reference for future research and public policies.
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