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WHO Ukraine is strengthening the response to sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) by strengthening the capacity of health workers and health care facilities to provide survivor-centred care.
With funding from the Government of Canada and support from the Ministry of Health and civil society organizations, WHO in Ukraine trained more than 60 doctors, nurses and health facility managers from Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk and Kyiv regions in service delivery to GBV survivors.
In line with WHO guidelines and national legislation on sexual and gender-based violence, the 2-day training provided health professionals with the knowledge and skills to identify signs of violence, provide appropriate clinical care and psychological support, and provide social and appropriate referrals. Legal support services.
“The health sector plays a critical role in responding to gender-based violence, including physical, sexual and emotional violence,” said Dr. Jarno Habich, WHO Representative in Ukraine.
“Since the Russian Federation began its invasion of Ukraine in February, the exposure of women and other population groups to sexual and gender-based violence has increased, making prevention and response efforts even more important,” he said. “WHO is committed to supporting Ukraine to address gender-based violence as an urgent public health issue and to ensure that victims of violence have access to high-quality, survivor-centred care.”
For some people, their doctor may be their only support.
GBV is a widespread human rights violation with public health consequences. According to current estimates, 2 out of 3 Ukrainian women have experienced psychological, physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and 18% of women and girls aged 15-49 have experienced intimate partner violence. Russia’s occupation of Ukraine has increased sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence. However, most cases are never reported.
Yefimenko Olena Volodymyrivna, director of the Kyiv regional administration’s health department, said: “Currently, more than 90% of women who have been assaulted do not contact the police.” “However, if medical problems arise as a result of the violence, they will seek medical attention. That is why doctors should be able to recognize the signs of violence and provide help as much as possible. Such training is necessary to build a comprehensive survivor support system in all health facilities.
In June 2022, Ukraine ratified the Council of Europe Convention on Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, known as the Istanbul Convention, which lays down minimum standards for the prevention, prevention and prosecution of violence against women and domestic violence. The Government of Ukraine, supported by WHO, is committed to national health sector response and assistance to survivors of violence.
“As family doctors, we need to understand that working with survivors of gender-based violence is our duty and part of our daily work,” said Svitlana Vedmid, a family doctor and medical director working in the Dnipro region. “Family doctors are the primary link with other services, such as mental health services, and are often the first point of contact for people experiencing abuse. For some people, their doctor may be their only support if something happens.
Tetiana Volkovich, a family doctor in Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk Region, said: “It is my motivation to support GBV survivors,” adding, “A doctor should understand a person as a person. And after this training, we have more knowledge and tools for this. Earlier. We provided information about violent cases to our administration, but now like this. We made a plan on how to work independently on existing issues and identified the number of mobile groups and shelters in our city.
Ukraine’s health sector continues to strengthen its response to sexual and gender-based violence, following the recommendations of WHO Resolution 67.15 and the Strategy on Women’s Health and Safety in the WHO European Region. Girls and other vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community and displaced people. Together with the Ministry of Health and civil society partners, WHO plans to increase training for health service providers in 8 regions as part of its ongoing humanitarian response efforts.
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