HEALTHCARE WORKERS’ ROLE IN ACTIVISM AGAINST GBV

This period of 16 Days of Activism Against GBV has been used to focus on the issues—what they are—and rarely on the different roles key players can take in addressing the issue.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive public health issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide, predominantly women and girls. It has been a growing issue in Eswatini, as communities are marred with cases and reports of GBV every day. Some of these cases are subtle, while others are highly aggressive.

Overlook

During conversations about GBV, we often overlook the role that healthcare workers can play in addressing GBV in the country and today let’s discuss that. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in addressing GBV, not only through direct patient care, but also in advocacy, education and community outreach. Their involvement is vital in identifying victims, providing appropriate care and facilitating a supportive environment for survivors of violence. One of the most critical roles of healthcare providers is the identification of victims of GBV. Many individuals may not disclose their experiences due to fear, shame, or lack of awareness about available resources.

Healthcare professionals are often the first point of contact for many survivors, making it vital for them to be trained in recognising the signs and symptoms of GBV.
Now, what normally happens is that, as much as healthcare providers can recognise victims of GBV, they cannot force a victim to disclose, let alone report the case. Victims may lie about how they got injured in order to protect the perpetrator, making the healthcare worker’s job difficult.
Injuries
Common indicators that a patient may be experiencing GBV include unexplained injuries or frequent emergency room visits, signs of anxiety, depression or PTSD, repeated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unintended pregnancies, and behavioural changes, such as withdrawal or sudden changes in routine. Healthcare workers often develop some kind of relationship with their clients, so it is easy for them to notice such changes, which raises an alarm for them. From here, they can follow internal policies that provide guiding procedures on how to deal with such issues. Once victims are identified, healthcare providers have the responsibility to offer comprehensive, compassionate and trauma-informed care.

This includes medical treatment, mental health support, crisis intervention, safety planning and confidentiality assurance. When I say safety planning, I mean assisting survivors in developing personalised safety plans, which may include finding safe housing, legal resources and support groups. One of the reasons why victims stay in abusive relationships is that they have nowhere to go, and most of the time their abuser is also the provider. Therefore, safe housing is essential in safety planning. Healthcare providers can also help destigmatise the conversation around GBV, encouraging victims to seek help without fear of judgement.

When discussing why people do not report abuse in communities, one of the reasons is stigmatisation and not being believed by those they report to. It first starts with family and then extends to the police. The questions that blame the victim, such as ‘What were you wearing?’, ‘What time of the night was it?’, ‘What did you do to provoke him?’, or ‘What kind of man gets beaten up by a woman?’, are all victim-blaming questions that imply that if the victim had not done A, then B would not have happened. All in all, addressing gender-based violence is a complex endeavour that requires a multifaceted approach.

Advocates

Healthcare providers are at the forefront of this effort, acting as first responders and advocates for survivors. By recognising the signs of GBV, providing comprehensive care and engaging in advocacy, healthcare professionals can profoundly impact the lives of individuals affected by violence. Continued training and the development of supportive policies are essential to empower healthcare providers in their vital role in combating GBV and fostering safer communities. Ultimately, creating a culture of support and understanding within healthcare settings can lead to better outcomes for survivors, helping them reclaim their lives and heal from their experiences.

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