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In underserved areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh, many people live in poor conditions and are unable to access high-quality health services. Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant issue, as it is often normalized, contributing to a culture of silence where GBV is difficult to discuss openly. Addressing GBV is also challenging because health workers often find it difficult to identify individuals who may need help and to provide them with the necessary services and referrals.
The ‘Improving SRHR in Dhaka’ project aims to tackle this issue through a collaborative effort with local partners, clinics and service providers. The project is working with local urban health clinics to enhance comprehensive care for GBV through strengthening the skills and capacity of health care workers. This capacity building consists of providing resources and comprehensive training on GBV over multiple days to counsellors at the local urban health clinics.
The impact of this initiative is demonstrated by Ramila, a counsellor working in a local urban health clinic. Like many, Ramila struggled to connect with survivors of GBV due to the pervasive attitudes and the acceptance of violence. Counsellors are inhibited from recognizing when women are experiencing GBV because there are multiple forms of GBV that aren’t easily visible and go undetected. However, this can be addressed through training counsellors and health workers to identify all types of GBV, offer responsive care, share available resources and refer victims to the right services.
With the training, Ramila gained knowledge on GBV and how to provide sensitive care that fosters a supportive environment for survivors to express themselves and share their experiences. The clinic’s operations have also improved, enabling counsellors to raise awareness and recognize different forms of GBV, provide support with referrals, maintain follow-up visits, and organize records of GBV cases for reporting.
I never thought there was so much to know and say about gender-based violence. I always thought these were personal issues and we had nothing to do with them. … After the training, it became possible for us to identify GBV cases and ensure any kind of support that we can offer.
–Ramila
This training has shifted how health staff perceive gender-based violence, enhancing their knowledge and communication skills and promoting open discussions with clients about GBV. Strengthening these skills among health staff contributes to creating inclusive environments for GBV survivors to receive trustworthy care within their community.
