TAPV calls for multisectoral collaboration in combating violence and offers 10 recommendations for the health system in Türkiye

The Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation (TAPV) implemented the “Strengthening the Current Mechanisms of Healthcare Services for Women Survivors of Violence” project to create a more effective intervention mechanism within the health system for women subjected to violence. As part of the project, TAPV has raised awareness among thousands of healthcare professionals regarding prevention of violence and also provided 10 recommendations for the health system.

Health workers, social workers, law enforcement officers and civil society organizations are among the first responders for women experiencing violence. In a previous study conducted by TAPV, 70.4% of participants expressed that multisectoral collaboration in combating violence against women is insufficient.

To address this gap, TAPV launched the “Strengthening the Current Mechanisms of Healthcare Services for Women Survivors of Violence” project to ensure that women subjected to violence receive quality services from health institutions and to enhance multisectoral collaboration. The project was implemented within the framework of the “Strong Civic Space for Gender Equality” project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UN Women.

Ayşe Tek, the project coordinator at TAPV, emphasized the global and national prevalence of gender-based violence, describing it as both a significant human rights violation and a pressing public health issue. “One in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner. It’s crucial to integrate gender equality and a women-centered approach into the health system to combat this issue,” says Ayşe Tek.

As part of the project, experts in the health and violence prevention sectors collaborated to enhance the quality of services provided to women affected by violence. In 2023, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, TAPV launched the #IHaveAComplaint campaign with the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Platform. The campaign aimed to raise awareness of women’s rights within the healthcare system and the impact of violence on their health, reaching over 900,000 people on social media within three months.

TAPV also organized workshops with a wide range of professionals, including family doctors, forensic specialists, social workers, nurses, midwives, public health experts, psychiatrists, and lawyers. These efforts involved over 200 experts and led to webinars attended by more than 200 field workers. Additionally, TAPV transformed these webinars into a training module titled “Violence and Health for Professionals,” accessible via the TAPV Academy, reaching nearly 2,000 individuals.“Women who experience violence often turn to healthcare institutions first. However, due to the lack of coordination between public institutions, they may not receive the quality services they need. The project implemented by the TAPV highlights this need and aims to strengthen the capacity of healthcare institutions to address violence against women. Additionally, enhancing multi-sectoral cooperation is crucial in ensuring a holistic response to violence, integrating healthcare, legal, and social services for more comprehensive support. This project, which we are implementing in collaboration with the Foundation, has taken an important step toward developing a gender equality and women-centered approach in the health system for cases of violence against women,” says Ebru Ağduk, Programme Manager at UN Women.

Through this project, TAPV highlights the health system’s critical role in supporting women facing violence. The foundation outlines 10 key recommendations that must be implemented to ensure the system’s effectiveness:

1. All healthcare professionals working with women exposed to violence should receive regular training on gender equality and gender-based violence.

2. Medical schools and health training programs for nurses, midwives, and other professionals should incorporate gender equality, medical law, and training on combating violence against women into their curricula.

3. Family physicians must be supported through structural referral systems and inter-institutional collaboration to effectively assist women experiencing violence.

4. The specific needs of healthcare workers handling violence, neglect, and abuse cases at all levels of the healthcare system should be assessed based on the institution and region they serve.

5. Preventive measures should be in place to protect both healthcare workers and women from violence, addressing the growing instances of violence within the health sector.

6. Law enforcement officers trained in gender equality and violence against women should be stationed in hospitals.

7. Women seeking help in healthcare institutions should be interviewed in private spaces that ensure confidentiality and professional trust.

8. A preventive intervention plan should be developed in collaboration with social workers.

9. The Women’s Medical Support Centers, piloted to address sexual violence cases, should be expanded nationwide.

10. Social workers, psychologists, and other professionals focusing on trauma should be available around the clock in these centers.

Through these comprehensive measures, TAPV underscores the importance of a holistic and responsive health system in addressing the needs of women subjected to violence.