The Health Sector and Gender-Based Violence in a Time of War

Summary

• Multisectoral approaches are essential to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in armed conflict. In countries where conflict-related SGBV is taking place, the health sector can contribute by providing essential medical interventions and support for survivors, documentation for legal cases, programs that assist in reducing social stigma, and data for effective programming.
• These functions, however, often remain largely unfulfilled because of inadequate integration of the health sector into programming to respond to SGVV. Staff is not sufficiently trained to address the needs of survivors, resources for sustainable programs are absent, guarantees of confidentiality and consent are not sufficiently robust, and security for staff and patients is lacking. These challenges can only be met with a strong commitment at the political level to service provision, protection and community engagement.

About This Brief

The challenges of effectively addressing sexual and gender-based violence in war torn communities are daunting. There is a growing consensus that a multisectoral approach is essential, one in which the health sector can play a central role. This Peace Brief describes the pivotal role the health sector can play, obstacles to its exercising these needed functions, and steps that can be taken to contribute to developing support for survivors as part of an integrated approach.