gender based violence surveillance the belize experience the health sector response presented by ms....

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE GENDER BASED VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE SURVEILLANCE

THE BELIZE EXPERIENCETHE BELIZE EXPERIENCE

THE HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSETHE HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE

Presented by Ms. Marlene Francis

EpidemiologistCAREC, Trinidad

September 07, 2006

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND

• MOH, Belize, recognizes gender based violence as an important public health issue, which is PREVENTABLE

• Health sector is an important entry point for women and others affected by gender based violence

• The framework to address gender based violence is built on the conceptualization of health as a social product linked to the life conditions of men and women

BACKGROUNDBACKGROUND• PAHO developed and supported with the social PAHO developed and supported with the social

sector the “Critical Path” a study that shows sector the “Critical Path” a study that shows the path women follow when affected by family the path women follow when affected by family violence” in 16 communities of 10 countriesviolence” in 16 communities of 10 countries

• Based on this study, PAHO promoted and supported a regional Family Violence Project – “Integrated Model of Care for Family Violence: State and Civil Society Response” in Central America” 1998-2002

• The model is based on the axes of detection, attention, prevention and promotion and draws on the commitment of many sector

• This multi-sectoral response was originally spearheaded by the MOH


• Domestic Violence is included in the Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy

• Development of a National Action Plan for the Attention of Family Violence is now Gender Based Violence and included in the SRH Plan

• Training: Sensitization for all sectors in Domestic Violence Counseling


• In 2003 the national response was evaluated, and CDC participated in the evaluation of the surveillance system

• Since then the system has been improved to

collect information on homicides, detailed information on child abuse and rape out side of the home which was not included at the inception of the system

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE GENDER BASED VIOLENCE SURVEILLANCE MODULESURVEILLANCE MODULE

• The Gender Based Violence Surveillance is a component of the National Health Information System (NHIS)

• The system uses a computerized menu-driven application which registers, stores, processes and produces information on health at the national and local levels

• The NHIS is an integrated decentralized information system which operates as a network with external locations coordinated by a central unit

• Six District Health Information Units (DHIU) operates as local networks


• It is a component of a public health system within the NHIS which registers, assists patient management

• Permanent record for alleged gender based violence cases including child abuse

• Used by multiple units in/outside MOH, as well as the social sector such as the Police, Women’s Department, Human Services and NGOs like Belize Family Life Association


• Participating sectors/units register data on standardized forms and send it to the MOH, District Health Information Unit

• District Health Information Unit compiles data and send information weekly via e-mail or CDs to the Central Unit in Belmopan

• DHIU also produces standardized reports at local levels

Gender Based Violence SurveillanceGender Based Violence Surveillance

StructureStructure

National Health Info. Unit (M.O.H.)

Data Transfer

District Info. Unit(M.O.H.)

RegistrationForm

M.O.H. M. H. D. Police Dept.

U S E R S

U S E R S

National Quarterly Reports

District Monthly Reports

female male total

female 472 622 713 1049 840 848

male 79 72 92 189 122 121

total 551 694 805 1238 962 969

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Source : Gender Based Violence Surveillance. MOH Belize

Cases by Year and Sex Cases by Year and Sex Belize 2000- 2005Belize 2000- 2005

female male

female 272 1719 1885 696

male 18 257 217 63

sexual psychological physic other

Source : Gender Based Violence Surveillance. MOH Belize

N= 3288

Cases by Type of Violence and Sex Cases by Type of Violence and Sex Belize 2000- 2003Belize 2000- 2003

Graph No.10% of women pregnant during this episode of DV by Age Group

Belize January-June 2003-2004

2003 2004

2003 7 11 5 8 7

2004 16 1 7 2 3

15 to 19 20 - 24 25-29 30-34 35-39

• Women have less control than their male partners over the use of protection, distribution of resources and access to health services, it’s more dangerous for them to refuse unsafe sex

• Women are the majority of rape victims, a direct risk factor for HIV

• Girls and boys who are victims of physical and/or sexual abuse during childhood are more likely to exhibit high-risk sexual behaviour later in life, lowered self-esteem, and decreased ability to negotiate safer sex

GENDER BASED VIOLENCEGENDER BASED VIOLENCEGBV increases women’s vulnerability to HIV by limiting their

physical and mental freedom

““It is impossible to talk It is impossible to talk about HIV/AIDS without about HIV/AIDS without talking about domestic and talking about domestic and sexual violence”sexual violence”

(Peer Educators for Men, Men as Partners Program, South Africa)

AcknowledgementDr. Paul Edwards

National Epidemiologist&

Ms. Sandra JonesTechnical Advisor, HIV/AIDS

Ministry of HealthBELIZE

gender based violence surveillance the belize experience the health sector response presented by ms....

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