WHO/Jordan hosts seminar on GBV and its impact on health

Seminar is part of UN's 16 days of activism against GBVOn November 27, 2013 WHO/Jordan held a seminar on gender based violence and its impact on health at its offices in Amman. With expert speakers from the Ministry of Health and WHO, the seminar discussed GBV and its impact on the physical and mental health of the individual as well as the overall impact on a societies’ public health.

As part of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, the seminar was attended by over 40 individuals from local and national NGOs as well as United Nations partners from UNWOMEN, UNICEF, and UNFPA.

In his presentation regarding public health and GBV, Ministry of Health’s Dr Malak Habashneh discussed how a review of legislation and national laws and methods of treatment for issues of GBV violence is necessary. He stated that a recent public health and GBV report showed that legal amendments to reduce GBV throughout the Kingdom
were necessary. Similarly, the development and adoption of GBV focused programs throughout Jordan is needed.

Focusing on GBV and its impact on physical health Dr Israa Tawalbeh from Jordan's National Institute of Forensic Medicine believes that it is “very important to show the need for policy changes in the GBV service areas. There are still gaps and obstacles throughout Jordan that need to be tackled head on. All health sector partners need to talk clearly about the problem which is not only complicated but also multi-disciplinary.”

WHO Mental Health officer Ms Zein Ayoub presented on the impact GBV has on mental health. She stated that “all forms of GBV, including physical, sexual, verbal, psychological, economic and social violence, are significantly associated with mental health outcomes. Policies and service planning should incorporate GBV considerations and workers in the fields of mental health and social care should be oriented and well trained on these issues.”

WHO/Jordan believes that ending violence against women is vital not only to the physical and psychological health of the victim but also the public health of the societies where GBV occurs. 

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

Physical, mental, and public health issues can arise from GBV. On 25 November WHO/Jordan and its partners from UN agencies and INGO's officially began the "International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women' 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence". The 16 Days of Activism (which end on 10 December, International Human Rights Day), aims to highlight 16 key facts on violence against women. Each day has a specific message attached, with 27 November specifically focusing on GBV and its impact on health related issues.