Blog: 16 Days of Activism - Empowering healthcare workers to combat violence against women

To mark the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Professor Hassan Shehata (Vice President for Global Health) shares some of the work the College is doing to help prevent violence against women and girls.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a crucial global campaign that calls for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one in three women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, often at the hands of an intimate partner.

One of the most severe forms of this is Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). It is a leading cause of death in the countries where it is practised, leading to an estimated 44,320 excess deaths of women and girls per year. This means that one woman or girl dies every 12 minutes as a consequence of FGM/C.[1] The medicalisation of FGM/C frames a violent act against women as a legitimate medical procedure, perpetuating harm and reinforcing the violation of human rights. Despite the immediate and long-term health risks associated with FGM/C, which include severe complications and psychological trauma, this practice continues to affect millions globally.

Sadly, violence against women can also manifest within the healthcare setting, affecting those dedicated to caring for others. Recent cases in India and elsewhere have highlighted abhorrent incidents where female healthcare professionals have faced verbal, physical, and emotional abuse from patients and even colleagues.

RCOG response:

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) stands firmly against gender-based violence in all forms. In my role as Vice President for Global Health, I work closely with the RCOG’s Centre for Women’s Global Health and partners around the world to better support healthcare professionals who care for women who have experienced violence.

An important part of our work is to train frontline healthcare workers to recognise signs of abuse and create an environment where women feel safe to disclose their experiences. Healthcare workers are often the first point of contact for victims of violence, and their response can significantly influence a woman’s willingness to seek help and support. When equipped with the right knowledge and skills, these professionals can provide essential support, treatment and resources to women in need.

As part of our Gynaecological Health Matters programme, we worked in collaboration with partners around the world, delivering our Essential Gynaecological Skills training which includes a module on violence against women. Completing this training will help to equip healthcare professionals with the skills needed to deliver compassionate care to those affected by violence.

This year we have trained 180 frontline healthcare professionals in Kano and Abuja in Nigeria on Essential Gynaecological Skills. We recently followed up those trained with refresher training and asked how the training has changed their practice, one participant said the training has helped them “be compassionate with clients and patients. Observing silent signals that client and patient may not voice out”.

The RCOG continues to advocate to end FGM/C and its medicalisation. At the Centre, we are actively educating healthcare professionals about the profound harm caused by FGM/C and empowering them to become advocates within their communities. The RCOG’s combatting FGM/C training was piloted in Alexandria, Egypt in May 2023 and we have continued to roll out the training in Egypt in Cairo and Sohag in March 2024, training 136 health care professionals to date.

Whilst we’re proud of the work we’ve done so far, there is much more to be done. It’s important to look beyond the immediate and obvious issues of violence against women and confront and dismantle the systemic barriers that enable violence to occur. By fostering an environment of trust and compassion, we can empower women to break the silence surrounding violence and advocate for their rights. Together, we can make a difference to end violence against women and girls and ensure that every woman has access to safe and supportive healthcare.

• Read more about the work of the Centre for Women's Global Health here.